Performance Advice for a Noob - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Booster · 12-03-2009, 11:08 PM

Ok so I am waiting on a new 2SS/RS M6, and I want to know what some are some quick, easy, and inexpensive upgrades I can do that will provide the most performance bang for their buck. I consider myself a "car guy" when it comes to citing performance figures, and driving characteristics, and I can drive pretty decently... but my hands on automotive experience is limited to pretty basic stuff, oil changes, spark plugs, batteries, brake pads, starters, and a motor mount once on my 85 cavalier but that’s about it.

Advice is appreciated...! Thanks in advance.

I've been fortunate enough to drive mostly new cars so I haven't had to do many repairs, and I've been unfortunate enough to never have a car worth moding but that's about to change. Just my explanation for lack of knowledge.

chappy48 · 12-03-2009, 11:17 PM

Bang for the buck...Supercharger. But if you don't want to spend that much, start out with a CAI. ADM, Rotofab and CAI all make really good ones. They are all around $400 and will get you around 10hp without a tune. You can get a catback exhaust, but you won't see much hp gain, mainly just the sound. You're big gains will be with headers. Right around 30rwhp, but they cost about $1k for the good ones. Some even more.

Booster · 12-03-2009, 11:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chappy48

Bang for the buck...Supercharger. But if you don't want to spend that much, start out with a CAI. ADM, Rotofab and CAI all make really good ones. They are all around $400 and will get you around 10hp without a tune. You can get a catback exhaust, but you won't see much hp gain, mainly just the sound. You're big gains will be with headers. Right around 30rwhp, but they cost about $1k for the good ones. Some even more.

Thanks!

Now what's a CAI, ADM, and Rotofab.

I told you I was a Noob...I think I am getting a Axelback SLP dealer installed exhaust, they had it on one and it sounded good, unless you think the Catback would be worth doing instead...I want to do something stock exhaust just doesn't sound right when compared. Speaking of Supercharger will I get a lag and whine?

Booster · 12-03-2009, 11:41 PM

What about changing gearing? Does anyone make a 3.7x gear for the Camaro yet? Can you get one dealer installed?

bpoirier · 12-03-2009, 11:50 PM

A CAI is a Cold Air Intake. It replaces the stock one. ADM and Rotofab are maker of these products. There are many out there. I have one from ADM Performance. It looks and works great. I also installed a 3" magnaflow catback exhaust. It sounds way better than stock. I have also heard SLP Loudmouth II axle back and it sounds nice too. It is much cheaper than the full catback. There is nolag with a supercharger. They are belt driven off of the crankshaft. As it stands right now there are no replacement gears available. I'm waiting for those as well. Hope this helps answer some of your questions.

Booster · 12-03-2009, 11:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bpoirier

A CAI is a Cold Air Intake. It replaces the stock one. ADM and Rotofab are maker of these products. There are many out there. I have one from ADM Performance. It looks and works great. I also installed a 3" magnaflow catback exhaust. It sounds way better than stock. I have also heard SLP Loudmouth II axle back and it sounds nice too. It is much cheaper than the full catback. There is nolag with a supercharger. They are belt driven off of the crankshaft. As it stands right now there are no replacement gears available. I'm waiting for those as well. Hope this helps answer some of your questions.

I appreciate the clarification and I've been doing a little reading, it looks like with CAI, CAMS, HEADERS, and EXhaust I should be able to make 50-75 HP gain. Does that sound right? Any suggestions for a good company combo that won't break the bank?

I just watched some youtube videos, I want something that sounds agressive but not like the mufflers have been removed, this is pretty much my daily driver (except in really bad weather.)

What's the advantage of Catback vs Axel back?

CharleyKahleys · 12-04-2009, 02:34 AM

you can also get a tune there not to much there around $500-$650 and if ur in los angeles i can get u a tune for $500 give's you +50 HP

*Milk 1027* · 12-04-2009, 02:38 AM

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14723

Legend17 · 12-04-2009, 02:43 AM

turbo is way cheaper than supercharger and easy to tune for more performance later. there is a lag but it keeps your gas mileage about the same as before. NOS is even cheaper and would be the ultimate bang for your buck. other than that. headers, axle back, CAI are all god upgrades to just free up some power already there. there is a thread dedicated to results of the CAIs. a tune is another way to free up some power. a tune is basically required if you want bigger improvements after installing the other mods.

Curt@BMCPerformance · 12-04-2009, 08:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booster

I appreciate the clarification and I've been doing a little reading, it looks like with CAI, CAMS, HEADERS, and EXhaust I should be able to make 50-75 HP gain. Does that sound right? Any suggestions for a good company combo that won't break the bank?

I just watched some youtube videos, I want something that sounds agressive but not like the mufflers have been removed, this is pretty much my daily driver (except in really bad weather.)

What's the advantage of Catback vs Axel back?

For the amount of money you would be looking at spending on all that plus the installs you may want to really seriously consider a supercharger.

Booster · 12-04-2009, 10:43 AM

I would be willing to go either way, which is going to keep the driveability in tact while adding performance? I have heard horror stories about tuned cars. What exactly is "tuned"?

CamaroFemme · 12-04-2009, 12:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booster

I would be willing to go either way, which is going to keep the driveability in tact while adding performance? I have heard horror stories about tuned cars. What exactly is "tuned"?

IIRC: Reprogramming your computer to make better use of your engine. The '10 Camaro is already finished so well that tunes for it are only getting like 6-20 horsepower. Also a quick, immediate way to void your warranty.

UCI CamaroFan · 12-04-2009, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroFemme

IIRC: Reprogramming your computer to make better use of your engine. The '10 Camaro is already finished so well that tunes for it are only getting like 6-20 horsepower. Also a quick, immediate way to void your warranty.

yeah, not worth getting a tune in my opinion.

I remember another member, Number 3 (he works for GM), griping about how it is dumb to get a tune... because if you do, it will decrease the life of the engine.

Dave Coyle · 12-04-2009, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Booster

I appreciate the clarification and I've been doing a little reading, it looks like with CAI, CAMS, HEADERS, and EXhaust I should be able to make 50-75 HP gain. Does that sound right? Any suggestions for a good company combo that won't break the bank?

I just watched some youtube videos, I want something that sounds agressive but not like the mufflers have been removed, this is pretty much my daily driver (except in really bad weather.)

What's the advantage of Catback vs Axel back?

Check out Livernois Motorsports, they are right in your area. They do almost everything. You won't be sorry.

12-03-2009, 11:08 PM	#1
Booster Drives: 2010 Lincoln MKS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 75	Performance Advice for a Noob Ok so I am waiting on a new 2SS/RS M6, and I want to know what some are some quick, easy, and inexpensive upgrades I can do that will provide the most performance bang for their buck. I consider myself a "car guy" when it comes to citing performance figures, and driving characteristics, and I can drive pretty decently... but my hands on automotive experience is limited to pretty basic stuff, oil changes, spark plugs, batteries, brake pads, starters, and a motor mount once on my 85 cavalier but that’s about it. Advice is appreciated...! Thanks in advance. I've been fortunate enough to drive mostly new cars so I haven't had to do many repairs, and I've been unfortunate enough to never have a car worth moding but that's about to change. Just my explanation for lack of knowledge.

12-03-2009, 11:17 PM	#2
chappy48 Drives: 2010 Camaro Auto 2SS/RS Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Wauconda, IL Posts: 878	Bang for the buck...Supercharger. But if you don't want to spend that much, start out with a CAI. ADM, Rotofab and CAI all make really good ones. They are all around $400 and will get you around 10hp without a tune. You can get a catback exhaust, but you won't see much hp gain, mainly just the sound. You're big gains will be with headers. Right around 30rwhp, but they cost about $1k for the good ones. Some even more. __________________ Built by Jannetty Racing 670rwhp/649rwtq...Scariness to be determined. Jannety Racing forged 416. TVS2300 Supercharger w/Maggie Max Stage 2, 3.6 Pulley, Innovators West 8 rib conversion, OD rear Cog belt drive. Jannetty Racing Rough Idle Cam, LS3 Conversion. Jannetty Racing built 6l80e Trans, Jannetty Racing Custom Converter, Built rear diff w/ 3.45 gears, DSS driveshaft and 1400 hp axles. ADM Twin Pump Fuel System, ADM CAI, Dynatech 1 7/8" Coated Headers, Borla "S" Catback. Custom 18" Forgestar F14's, Nitto 305/45-18 DR's

12-03-2009, 11:41 PM	#4
Booster Drives: 2010 Lincoln MKS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 75	What about changing gearing? Does anyone make a 3.7x gear for the Camaro yet? Can you get one dealer installed? Last edited by Booster; 12-03-2009 at 11:42 PM. Reason: Is this a major change/expensive?

12-04-2009, 02:38 AM	#8
Milk 1027 Camaro➎ moderator Drives: '13 BLK 1LE Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: AZ Posts: 13,567 View My Garage	http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14723 __________________

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12-03-2009, 11:50 PM	#5
bpoirier Drives: 2SS/RS IOM CGM Stripes Join Date: May 2009 Location: Haughton, LA Posts: 931	A CAI is a Cold Air Intake. It replaces the stock one. ADM and Rotofab are maker of these products. There are many out there. I have one from ADM Performance. It looks and works great. I also installed a 3" magnaflow catback exhaust. It sounds way better than stock. I have also heard SLP Loudmouth II axle back and it sounds nice too. It is much cheaper than the full catback. There is nolag with a supercharger. They are belt driven off of the crankshaft. As it stands right now there are no replacement gears available. I'm waiting for those as well. Hope this helps answer some of your questions.

12-04-2009, 02:34 AM	#7
CharleyKahleys Drives: 2011 2SS/RS cyber gray/black strip Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 192	you can also get a tune there not to much there around $500-$650 and if ur in los angeles i can get u a tune for $500 give's you +50 HP

12-04-2009, 02:43 AM	#9
Legend17 Army Bound Drives: 97 Camaro RS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: South Carolina Posts: 123 View My Garage	turbo is way cheaper than supercharger and easy to tune for more performance later. there is a lag but it keeps your gas mileage about the same as before. NOS is even cheaper and would be the ultimate bang for your buck. other than that. headers, axle back, CAI are all god upgrades to just free up some power already there. there is a thread dedicated to results of the CAIs. a tune is another way to free up some power. a tune is basically required if you want bigger improvements after installing the other mods.

12-04-2009, 10:43 AM	#11
Booster Drives: 2010 Lincoln MKS Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Detroit, MI Posts: 75	I would be willing to go either way, which is going to keep the driveability in tact while adding performance? I have heard horror stories about tuned cars. What exactly is "tuned"?