[PowerDemon]

Hello all,

I am coming to the Camaro platform from a Mk7 Golf GTI. It is still my daily but the Camaro will be taking my mod focus from now on. Currently the Golf has a hybrid turbocharger, low pressure fuel pump, high pressure fuel pump, downpipe, intake, and a bigger intercooler. The car makes around 400whp on pump gas and runs pretty good. It only weighs 3040lbs so that 400 horsepower goes a long ways. If any of you are curious about the details of that car see my build thread here.

I started looking into RWD coupes looking for a platform I could grow into a bit more. I could have pushed more power out of the Golf but I would have been looking at a built motor and a lot more money for diminishing returns. Also at the end of the day its FWD, so I knew I needed something RWD and had the potential for big power. It had to be manual as well which limited my options. I looked at Mustangs primarily, but I was thoroughly unimpressed when I test drove one. It understeered like crazy and the seating position was so high I felt I was sitting in an SUV.

I ended up with a Camaro ZL1. With the used market how it is I knew I had to buy new. I couldn’t stomach over sticker prices on used cars with 5k miles. I looked at SS 1LE cars as I wouldn’t mind choosing my own blower, but I can't stand the facelift. I ordered my car in March though Koons Chevrolet in Tysons Corner, VA. The car was built in April but it wasn’t delivered until July. I ordered it Riverside Blue, red seatbelts, and with a manual transmission. I picked it up with 5 miles on it.

So far I love the car. It is everything I expected and more. It is just such a complete package. I finished the first 500 miles of the break in and changed the engine oil and differential oil. I finally got to go WOT last night after the service and I have to say wow. It really is a fantastic machine.

I regrettably obtained my first rock chip around 400 miles, so I immediately took reactive measures. I have an appointment next week with my local detail shop to fix the chip and have Xpel PPF applied on the full front, rockers, and rear fender. I also installed the ZL1 Addons Deluxe rock guards. Hopefully these measures will preserve the paint for many miles to come.

Thanks for reading and I hope to keep you all updated.

1100 03/08/22
2000 03/22/22
3400 TPW 4/11 3/28/22
4300 5/7/22
Delivered 7/19/22







Current Mods 02/06/2025

Engine
-ADM V2 SC Coolant Reservoir

Trans
-Skip Shift Eliminator

Suspension
-BMR Lowering Springs
-BMR Rear Cradle Lockout
-BMR Rear Cradle Brace
-SPL Rear Toe Links
-Apex VS-5RS 20” Brushed Clear Wheels

Exterior
-Xpel PPF on all but trunk and rear bumper
-Xpel 20% Ceramic Tint All Around
-Phastek Smoked Sidemarkers
-Smoked Rear Reflectors
-ZL1 Addons Deluxe Rock Guards

Here’s how she looks now

[PowerDemon]

Reserved.

[Joshinator99]

Great looking ride. Welcome!

What are your goals for the car?

[PowerDemon]

Originally Posted by Joshinator99

Great looking ride. Welcome!

What are your goals for the car?

Thanks! My long term goal for the car is to run a 9.xxx@140+ in the quarter and a sub 6 second 60-130. That being said that is a very long term goal.

Shorter term my Golf's best time was a 9.67 60-130 so I would like to beat that (should be easy even stock), but for now I plan on just learning and enjoying the car. This is my first high horsepower RWD car, so I have much to learn. I would like to sign up for a couple track days as well.

[2SS Capt]

Great looking ride! Get some smoked side LED markers and smoked rear reflectors to complete the look! I was so close to buying a ZL1 (because I love the hood and front end) but simply couldn't justify the extra cost for the power that I really couldn't use (had no intention of ever tracking my car).

Good call on the PPF, VERY important, here is what I did on my car right when I got it, nearly 7,000 miles and the only (minor) rock chip is on the windshield... I would recommend at LEAST these areas...



Enjoy our new ride, I'll be following your progress with interest!

[PowerDemon]

I wish I PPFed the car right after I took delivery, but I wanted to at least break it in first. I figured I could avoid rock chips for 500 miles with some defensive driving. I guess not!

I am getting PPF installed in all those areas you highlighted as well as the A-Pillars, roofline, and the rear fender front and back.

I plan on buying the smoked LED side markers but I hadn’t seen the smoked reflectors. Thanks!

[PowerDemon]

So a few updates on the car.

A week or so ago I crossed 500 miles so I did my first break in service. I changed the oil with Mobile 1 0W-40 Supercar oil, new ACDelco PF64 filter, and I changed the diff fluid out with the OEM spec ACDelco 75W-90 oil.

It was a pretty easy change. It would have been a lot easier if I had bought a better oil catch tray though. The most difficult part was lifting the car! However next time I think everything will go much more smoothly.

I also installed some ZL1 Addons rock guards. I ended up having to buy more 3M tape from auto zone so I could get it to suit me. I tried to tuck the tape as far in as possible so the detailer still had room to wrap the fender edge with the PPF. Overall I am quite happy with them. Hopefully they do a good job of protecting the rear fenders.

I also dropped my car off on Thursday to get PPFed at my local shop. It is getting the Xpel track pack and it should be done Tuesday. The long weekend really screwed me I have been by to check on progress a few times and it seems to be coming along well. It looks even better than I expected it to.

So far my only concern is that one rock chip on top of the bumper. I was hoping a bit of touch up and the PPF would hide it but my eyes still go to it every time. I am considering having the shop peel off the PPF in that spot and seeing if I can't get the chip professionally repaired and then have the PPF reapplied. Suggestions are welcome..

Anyway loving the car so far! Thanks for reading

[WillyZ83]

Congrats on the purchase and looking great so far. This car is such a solid platform, many directions to go if you want more power too. That's the color of my old SS, loved that color.

[arpad_m]

Your car is amazingly beautiful, and the shop doing the PPF installation looks professional, too.

Here's an unorthodox idea about that rock chip: while you can definitely do what you're planning, I'd leave it there, accept that the car is no longer visually 100% perfect and embrace this "battle scar". This will reduce your stress level, steer your mind away from awkwardly extreme "rock chip avoidance strategies" and allow you to enjoy the car much more, which is the entire goal, isn't it.

Don't get me wrong, I love my car and the first cut was the deepest to me as well, but let's be honest, this is a Camaro, not a Koenigsegg.

(BTW if you didn't get PPF for the roof, guess where the next rock will hit as per Murphy's Law—yes, right there, a millimeter above the windshield—and Mr. Murphy is relentless, if you did get that area covered, then the rock will be kicked up by your front tire and hit right below the fuel door.)

[PowerDemon]

Originally Posted by WillyZ83

Congrats on the purchase and looking great so far. This car is such a solid platform, many directions to go if you want more power too. That's the color of my old SS, loved that color.

Thank you! I couldn’t agree more! Hopefully it should handle ~750whp well.

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Your car is amazingly beautiful, and the shop doing the PPF installation looks professional, too.

Here's an unorthodox idea about that rock chip: while you can definitely do what you're planning, I'd leave it there, accept that the car is no longer visually 100% perfect and embrace this "battle scar". This will reduce your stress level, steer your mind away from awkwardly extreme "rock chip avoidance strategies" and allow you to enjoy the car much more, which is the entire goal, isn't it.

Don't get me wrong, I love my car and the first cut was the deepest to me as well, but let's be honest, this is a Camaro, not a Koenigsegg.

(BTW if you didn't get PPF for the roof, guess where the next rock will hit as per Murphy's Law—yes, right there, a millimeter above the windshield—and Mr. Murphy is relentless, if you did get that area covered, then the rock will be kicked up by your front tire and hit right below the fuel door.)

Thank you very much! I appreciate it.

The shop seems professional so far and from what I have heard they do most of the exotic cars in the area, so hopefully they treat me well. They’ve been very cool letting me stop in and check out what they’re doing and everything.

I am trying to get over the chip. That would certainly be the easiest course of action, but it is the only flaw I can find under the PPF. I get that it is a Camaro but it is my first new car. Hopefully I'll get over it and I can properly enjoy the car.

I did get the first 8” of the roof and the A-pillars PPFd but I am sure that a rock will find a chink in the armor eventually! That is always the way of things unfortunately.

[PowerDemon]

Originally Posted by METHAT UGLO

so far nice work ! keep it up

Tutuapp 9Apps Showbox

Thanks!


It’s been a little while since the last update so I’ll try and bring you all up to speed.

Since you last saw the car I took it back to the PPF shop to get some stuff redone. I couldn’t stand the partial panels, so I had them take off the old stuff and do full panels instead. So the car now has Xpel Ultimate PPF everywhere except the trunk and rear bumper. The rear bumper does have film on the quarter panels, but it’s almost impossible to see unless you look real close.

While it was at the shop I had them tint the windows as well. I went with 20% all the way around with Xpel Prime XR.



I am really happy with how it turned out. Dark enough to match all the other black bits on the exterior but not so dark you can’t see in or out.

I also added the blacked out side markers from Phastek Performance. They really completed the look. I didn't realize what an eyesore the stock ones were until I put these in! The install was super easy and everything went smoothly. Really nice upgrade.



Yesterday I added the smoked reflectors to the rear bumper. I picked those up from Next Gen Speed. Unlike the side markers these were a huge pain in the ass! But with a little patience and a magnetic screwdriver I persevered.





I think these came out great as well. They match the taillights and third brake light perfectly.

Overall the car is almost completely dialed in on the exterior. I just need to paint correct the trunk and bumper, then ceramic coat the whole thing. I’m thinking about going with Gyeon Pure Evo on all the painted/PPFed surfaces. It has that nice gloss that I’m looking for. I’ll most likely do Gyeon CanCoat Evo on the glass, wheels, and rubber/plastic trim.





Thanks for reading.

[PowerDemon]

So it’s been awhile since I’ve posted in here, but I have done a decent bit to the car since.

Firstly I did finish the detail like I had originally planned to do. I polished the non PPFed surfaces with Sonax Perfect Finish on a Rupes Yellow pad. Once everything was polished I coated the whole car with Gyeon Pure Evo. Super easy coating to apply and the gloss levels were off the charts!! Water beading and self cleaning are awesome too.







After that, I decided that the wheel gap these cars have from the factory was unacceptable. I wanted to lower the car and ended up going with the BMR lowering springs as they keep close to the factory spring rates instead of going to a progressive spring rate like the Eibachs.

While the suspension was pulled apart to install the springs I went ahead and also got the BMR rear cradle lockout and BMR rear cradle braces installed to firm up the rear as much as possible. This made a huge difference in seat of the pants performance. Acceleration was much more immediate and direct.

At first the lowering springs disappointed me, but once they settled in they got me pretty close to the ride height I was looking for. To me the ride was pretty similar. Maybe a touch firmer but I think it could very well be the placebo effect.

Once the springs were installed I had the magnetic ride recalibrated by the dealer and a performance alignment. Not quite the track specs, but more aggressive than the factory alignment. -1.7* camber up front IIRC.





The car was pretty perfect in this form for awhile. I ran a draggy on it and it ran a pretty respectable number for a stock manual car. I was very pleased for only a couple of runs as well.





Got together with one of my buddies who had picked up a ZLE. Pretty cool to see them both together and the differences between the two cars.





During the heat of the summer I decided that I wanted to make sure the blower was staying properly cooled and didn’t have any bubbles in the coolant system. So I picked up one of the ADM V2 reservoir and installed it. It was pretty straightforward and now I am confident that the system is fully bled.

[SOCAL.M6.ZLE]

Looking good buddy, love your attention to detail! So what's coming first for the power / cooling mod list?

[PowerDemon]

So once all that was done she was pretty dialed, but I felt she needed something else.



I had been looking at some aftermarket wheels for some time but I hadn’t made a decision. But one day @CW3SF posted his 20” Apex VS-5RS wheels for sale and I just happened to check the classifieds about an hour after he posted them and I had to have them. We made a deal and I picked them up the next day!

Absolutely stunning wheels AND they save almost 10lbs per corner!!



Got them mounted up ASAP!







I had done some reading about toe alignment getting out on these cars, especially when they’re lowered. So I picked up some SPL rear toe links and had my local shop put them in and re align. MAN these things are nice!!





While she was in there might as well throw her on the scales and see what those lightweight wheels are doing right?!



She weighed 3855lbs with a full tank of gas. LF 989lbs LR 894lbs RF 1105lbs RR 867lbs Cross 1999 51.85% Not bad!

It was time for an oil change and I figured why not do the transmission too? Everything else gets a break in oil change so why not? I went back with the OEM ACDelco “Manual Transmission Fluid" just to be safe. While I was in there I also installed the skip shift eliminator which is a nice addition. Trans fluid looked great when it came out and Blackstone says the engine oil is OK.





Up we go



Here’s how she sits now. Nothing major planned just yet. Hoping the warm weather comes soon so we can get out there and rip around! Thanks for reading.