What does it cost to mod??? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

ParisTNDude · 12-15-2011, 12:11 PM

I was posting in another thread and arbitrarily threw out a number I thought was close in cost for my performance mods. I got to wondering how much I really put into my car to gain more than 1.3 seconds in the 1/4 mile. I guess more important than 1/4 mile statistics, my mods gave me tons more enjoyment out of an, admittedly, disappointing first drive, performance wise. I did most of the mods myself, so install for me was cheap. My calculations with installation came to about:

Performance mods: $3,515

Apearance mods: $100

Biggest single item cost: Headers about $1400 installed

Anyone else interested in sharing you costs?

S-eatin-grin · 12-15-2011, 12:30 PM

I would be curious to see the top number spent...I bet it is close to a total investment of 100K.
I have 24K in mods and install labor, tuning (see sig below). I have plans for another 5-10K of work/parts within the next 2 years....I must be nuts!! It will end up a 70K Camaro worth 30K at most.

Slideways · 12-15-2011, 12:32 PM

I'm on a similar track as yourself.

Performance $3400 + I need a tune.

Appearance: $280

highest cost (thus far) : borla LTs $1400

its now a blast to drive, id like to see how my time slip will look in the spring - retniw kcuf

EDIT: how many folks on here are running a blower with factory internals? also how much PSI?

The Stig · 12-15-2011, 12:35 PM

Performance: ~$2,000

Appearance: a lot

most expensive item: Bassani LT headers, cats, and exhaust - $1,200

SUX2BU · 12-15-2011, 12:35 PM

I've added a TON of stuff to Ginger, but in terms of 1/4 mile performance I am $1,850 out of pocket and went from a 13.9 @ 103 to a 12.3 @ 113.
1.6 seconds for $1,850 ain't bad.
Once i put my cam in it should be $2,235 and hopefully a 2.3 second drop from stock, EEK!

ParisTNDude · 12-15-2011, 12:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SUX2BU

I've added a TON of stuff to Ginger, but in terms of 1/4 mile performance I am $1,850 out of pocket and went from a 13.9 @ 103 to a 12.3 @ 113.
1.6 seconds for $1,850 ain't bad.
Once i put my cam in it should be $2,235 and hopefully a 2.3 second drop from stock, EEK!

Dang!...dude, what did you do for that little money that got you to 12.3? I guess I wasn't as smart as you....lol. Thanks for the post!

S-eatin-grin · 12-15-2011, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude

Dang!...dude, what did you do for that little money that got you to 12.3? I guess I wasn't as smart as you....lol. Thanks for the post!

Probably the wheels...light weight 18"s

pyr0b0y · 12-15-2011, 12:59 PM

Performance mods: ~ $49,500 (ouch....just added it up for the first time!)

Apearance mods: ~ $23, 625

Biggest single item cost: Engine ~ $11k

I changed my mind on a couple things so I have 3 sets of rims, supercharger, engine, turbos, and I got scammed by someone selling a supercharger for $5500 and lost the money so the performance would go up to $55000.

The Stig · 12-15-2011, 01:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude

Dang!...dude, what did you do for that little money that got you to 12.3? I guess I wasn't as smart as you....lol. Thanks for the post!

Quote:

Originally Posted by S-eatin-grin

Probably the wheels...light weight 18"s

He installs all of his parts himself.

S-eatin-grin · 12-15-2011, 01:19 PM

Yeah..it does certainly save a lot. I did my own headers, exhaust, grille and whatever else I thought I could do right...

joey0480 · 12-15-2011, 01:20 PM

Headers seem to be the killer with install cost for bolt ons. Been trying to get pricing around here and feels like I need to give up both arms and a leg.

S-eatin-grin · 12-15-2011, 01:25 PM

Headers are really a pretty straightforward install if you have opposible thumbs, a socket set and a torque wrench and the means to elevate the car...buy an SCT tuner (and headers) from JRE and Ted will tune it for free vie e-mail.

DandD · 12-15-2011, 01:25 PM

I bought my 2010 at the end of August used, and so far bolt on performance mods = 2k
headers,CAI,shifter,SCT(tune).
The car is going into Livernois in the next few weeks to have the drive train "built" (1400hp axles,1pc driveshaft,driveshaft loop, trailing arms, toe rods,trans rebuild,clutch,trans mount,clutch bleeder line) 6.5k
In the spring I'm doing drag radials,wheels,separate clutch reservoir,line lock, rear seat delete, braile battery 1.2k
Next year at this time, more performance mods (right now I'm thinking heads, cam, ported throttle body&intake) 5k????
And I'm loving EVERY minute of it!!

Dan

SUX2BU · 12-15-2011, 01:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude

Dang!...dude, what did you do for that little money that got you to 12.3? I guess I wasn't as smart as you....lol. Thanks for the post!

I am glad you asked, I keep VERY detailed spreadsheets on both my cars. Plus I am the cheapest person you will ever meet and I have been working on LSx cars for about 12 years so I do all of my own work and I know all the best bang for your buck mods.

I spent a TON of time on LS1tech so my personal goal is to be the fastest Convertible 5th gen in three categories bolt ons, then cam only and then power adder.

As for my 1/4 mile parts list:
$750 XSPower 1 7/8" headers/3" offroad X-pipe/3" catback
$670 Forgestar F14 18x11 rear wheels
$375 Hoosier 315/30 18 drag radials
$327 M&H 185/50 18 front runners
$204 ASP underdrive pulley
$180 CTS-V 18x4.5 spares
$139 LSR shifter
$137 Volant cold air intake
$100 10 minute tune
$75 APEX cold air scoop
$55 longer studs and spacers for CTS-V spares
$36 160* thermostat
-$150 sold my stock manifold and cats
-$1,000 sold my stock wheels

$1,898 total
All this got me to 426 rhwp and hopefully into the 11.99's with good air.

Add in:
$286 PRC dual valve sporings
$100 used TSP 231/236 .641"/.615" cam

$2,284 Total
With the cam i am hoping for 490 rwhp and 11.5s in the 1/4.

12-15-2011, 12:11 PM	#1
ParisTNDude Owning SSes for 50 Years Drives: Sharkskin Grey LT1 Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Paris, TN Posts: 3,139 View My Garage	What does it cost to mod??? I was posting in another thread and arbitrarily threw out a number I thought was close in cost for my performance mods. I got to wondering how much I really put into my car to gain more than 1.3 seconds in the 1/4 mile. I guess more important than 1/4 mile statistics, my mods gave me tons more enjoyment out of an, admittedly, disappointing first drive, performance wise. I did most of the mods myself, so install for me was cheap. My calculations with installation came to about: Performance mods: $3,515 Apearance mods: $100 Biggest single item cost: Headers about $1400 installed Anyone else interested in sharing you costs? __________________ The new ride: 2023 Camaro, LT1, Sharkskin Grey Previous Performance Cars: 1966 Chevelle SS 4M, 2010 Corvette 6M 1968 Dodge Charger R/T Auto 2012 1SS 6M 1982 Corvette Auto 2010 1SS 6A 1984 Corvette Auto 2016 2SS 8A 1999 Camaro Auto 2017 HBM 1SS 1le 2002 C5 Corvette 6M 2018 2SS 2006 Corvette Auto 2023 Camaro LT1

12-15-2011, 12:35 PM	#4
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	Performance: ~$2,000 Appearance: a lot most expensive item: Bassani LT headers, cats, and exhaust - $1,200 __________________

12-15-2011, 12:35 PM	#5
SUX2BU Quit being a pu$$y Drives: FAST Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Sachse TX (DFW) Posts: 5,825 View My Garage	I've added a TON of stuff to Ginger, but in terms of 1/4 mile performance I am $1,850 out of pocket and went from a 13.9 @ 103 to a 12.3 @ 113. 1.6 seconds for $1,850 ain't bad. Once i put my cam in it should be $2,235 and hopefully a 2.3 second drop from stock, EEK! __________________ <----- Click HERE to see ALL of my mods/write ups

12-15-2011, 12:59 PM	#8
pyr0b0y need....more....hp Drives: The Neighbor Hater Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: San Mateo, CA Posts: 4,091	Performance mods: ~ $49,500 (ouch....just added it up for the first time!) Apearance mods: ~ $23, 625 Biggest single item cost: Engine ~ $11k I changed my mind on a couple things so I have 3 sets of rims, supercharger, engine, turbos, and I got scammed by someone selling a supercharger for $5500 and lost the money so the performance would go up to $55000. __________________ BUILD THREAD BUILT AND MAINTAINED BY BLU808 Mast Motorsports Built LS3 Stroker 418, IPS GT35R Twin Turbos, Exedy GTO4XD Twin Disc Clutch, Aeromotive A1000 Eliminator Stealth Fuel Pump, AEM Meth Injection, DSS 1400hp Axels, BC Coilovers, Pfadt & BMR Suspension, Hawk HPS Pads, Drilled/Slotted Rotors, Hurst Shifter, Custom Roll Cage by Blu808, T3 Ports, 22" Custom Concave Mesh Rims

12-15-2011, 01:25 PM	#13
DandD Drives: 2010 2SS and 2011 LS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Western burbs of the Motor City Posts: 628 View My Garage	I bought my 2010 at the end of August used, and so far bolt on performance mods = 2k headers,CAI,shifter,SCT(tune). The car is going into Livernois in the next few weeks to have the drive train "built" (1400hp axles,1pc driveshaft,driveshaft loop, trailing arms, toe rods,trans rebuild,clutch,trans mount,clutch bleeder line) 6.5k In the spring I'm doing drag radials,wheels,separate clutch reservoir,line lock, rear seat delete, braile battery 1.2k Next year at this time, more performance mods (right now I'm thinking heads, cam, ported throttle body&intake) 5k???? And I'm loving EVERY minute of it!! Dan __________________ Around here we like baseball, hot dogs, apple pie, and Chevrolet

12-15-2011, 12:30 PM	#2
S-eatin-grin Drives: 2013 2SS/RS AGM Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: WV Posts: 1,170 View My Garage	I would be curious to see the top number spent...I bet it is close to a total investment of 100K. I have 24K in mods and install labor, tuning (see sig below). I have plans for another 5-10K of work/parts within the next 2 years....I must be nuts!! It will end up a 70K Camaro worth 30K at most.

12-15-2011, 12:32 PM	#3
Slideways Drives: '10 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Moncton, New Brunswick Posts: 5	I'm on a similar track as yourself. Performance $3400 + I need a tune. Appearance: $280 highest cost (thus far) : borla LTs $1400 its now a blast to drive, id like to see how my time slip will look in the spring - retniw kcuf EDIT: how many folks on here are running a blower with factory internals? also how much PSI?

12-15-2011, 01:19 PM	#10
S-eatin-grin Drives: 2013 2SS/RS AGM Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: WV Posts: 1,170 View My Garage	Yeah..it does certainly save a lot. I did my own headers, exhaust, grille and whatever else I thought I could do right...

12-15-2011, 01:20 PM	#11
joey0480 Drives: 2013 Evo X Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: New Jersey Posts: 562	Headers seem to be the killer with install cost for bolt ons. Been trying to get pricing around here and feels like I need to give up both arms and a leg.

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