[JFM-jr]

Intake runners are really square in the head

[AndOne707]

Did you ever consider the MSD after market intake ?

[Tr6]

MSD intake is a pretty good product but I am not sold on paying 1000 for it. 400-500? Sure. Also it's way too obvious it's aftermarket. You really need a tune to make the MSD work because you actually loose bottom end power without a tune. So, tune = bye bye warranty.

[AndOne707]

That has always been the case. You pay to play kinda motto with warranties and after market parts.
Unless GM starts to offer all this different things and you retain warranty. Like cam and heads package that they advertise for the le1 ls3 motor.

I hate being so limited when it comes down to warranty. Lol

[Tr6]

Very true but there are ways to keep warranty and still mod. My ENTIRE power build will actually cost less than 2 grand. That's exhaust stuff, intake, tb, intake manifold and other stuff. So less than 2 MSD IM's haha. You just can't gain an insane amount of power. Like supercharging and keep warranty (unless you go with Hennessey/Lingerfelter/Callaway which are $$$$). You can also just spend the money and get the upper model that is more powerful (like '17 ZL1) OR wait till warranty is up.

It comes down to logical steps for me. If I were to SC, I would like to upgrade the heads to handle more PSI as well as more strong axles as they are the weak link, which heads + SC + axles, new wheels and tires (you will need to go much wider, 3k cheapest with wheels and tires) installed you are looking at 20 grand+. So... Why not buy a ZL1 instead and have it all bone stock AND full warranty? For a bone stock 1SS with absolutely NO options MSRP you are looking at 38k, +20k, 58k. That's without intake, tune, exhaust stuff. So let's say 61k and NO warranty, reliability is not as good as stock / close to stock etc. So why not spend a little more and have FULL warranty, perhaps better interior etc? And that's with a base 1SS with no options, think of a 2SS with mrc/npp/wheels etc, you are looking at 70k+! So why not just get the ZL1, do some porting work, intake and done. You are looking at 620+ rwhp easy with LT4. Which would be perhaps more than an SS powerlevels after you do all the mods to it.

Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to judge or say people who SC their SS's aren't smart. They can do whatever they wanna do! I am not paying for it therefor I do not have the right to be negative about it. I think it is awesome that they do! I am just sharing my personal view of it.

With my build, when I am done. I will be around 430-450 rwhp/rwtq which is completely fine by me. There is ALWAYS a faster car around haha. I enjoy my car even without finishing my build and my reliability is as good as factory + full warranty. I am also be adding a 2018 ZL1 to the stable so I have absolutely no need to void out my warranty on the SS haha.

[BlkReaper]

Originally Posted by Tr6

Very true but there are ways to keep warranty and still mod. My ENTIRE power build will actually cost less than 2 grand. That's exhaust stuff, intake, tb, intake manifold and other stuff. So less than 2 MSD IM's haha. You just can't gain an insane amount of power. Like supercharging and keep warranty (unless you go with Hennessey/Lingerfelter/Callaway which are $$$$). You can also just spend the money and get the upper model that is more powerful (like '17 ZL1) OR wait till warranty is up.

It comes down to logical steps for me. If I were to SC, I would like to upgrade the heads to handle more PSI as well as more strong axles as they are the weak link, which heads + SC + axles, new wheels and tires (you will need to go much wider, 3k cheapest with wheels and tires) installed you are looking at 20 grand+. So... Why not buy a ZL1 instead and have it all bone stock AND full warranty? For a bone stock 1SS with absolutely NO options MSRP you are looking at 38k, +20k, 58k. That's without intake, tune, exhaust stuff. So let's say 61k and NO warranty, reliability is not as good as stock / close to stock etc. So why not spend a little more and have FULL warranty, perhaps better interior etc? And that's with a base 1SS with no options, think of a 2SS with mrc/npp/wheels etc, you are looking at 70k+! So why not just get the ZL1, do some porting work, intake and done. You are looking at 620+ rwhp easy with LT4. Which would be perhaps more than an SS powerlevels after you do all the mods to it.

Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to judge or say people who SC their SS's aren't smart. They can do whatever they wanna do! I am not paying for it therefor I do not have the right to be negative about it. I think it is awesome that they do! I am just sharing my personal view of it.

With my build, when I am done. I will be around 430-450 rwhp/rwtq which is completely fine by me. There is ALWAYS a faster car around haha. I enjoy my car even without finishing my build and my reliability is as good as factory + full warranty. I am also be adding a 2018 ZL1 to the stable so I have absolutely no need to void out my warranty on the SS haha.

Unless you do your own labor. Question for you, How do you know the axles are weak? Is this a well known fact already?

[Tim Adams]

One of the first cars in the 10's broke a rear axle trying to leave on a bigger hit of NOS. Snapped right off the line. If you are going for 10 second street car you would be wise to upgrade the axles and other suspension parts.

[Tr6]

Originally Posted by BlkReaper

Unless you do your own labor. Question for you, How do you know the axles are weak? Is this a well known fact already?

Doing your own labor would quite help A LOT with saving some money for sure but that isn't for everyone to do and still do end up spending a lot of money plus bye bye warranty. As for your question, Tim beat me to it. Adding 150+ rwhp to the current vehicle, it will take it's toll on the suspension and first part to go out were the axles.

Originally Posted by Tim Adams

One of the first cars in the 10's broke a rear axle trying to leave on a bigger hit of NOS. Snapped right off the line. If you are going for 10 second street car you would be wise to upgrade the axles and other suspension parts.

Tim beat me to it!

[LesBaer]

Originally Posted by Tr6

Very true but there are ways to keep warranty and still mod. My ENTIRE power build will actually cost less than 2 grand. That's exhaust stuff, intake, tb, intake manifold and other stuff. So less than 2 MSD IM's haha. You just can't gain an insane amount of power. Like supercharging and keep warranty (unless you go with Hennessey/Lingerfelter/Callaway which are $$$$). You can also just spend the money and get the upper model that is more powerful (like '17 ZL1) OR wait till warranty is up.

It comes down to logical steps for me. If I were to SC, I would like to upgrade the heads to handle more PSI as well as more strong axles as they are the weak link, which heads + SC + axles, new wheels and tires (you will need to go much wider, 3k cheapest with wheels and tires) installed you are looking at 20 grand+. So... Why not buy a ZL1 instead and have it all bone stock AND full warranty? For a bone stock 1SS with absolutely NO options MSRP you are looking at 38k, +20k, 58k. That's without intake, tune, exhaust stuff. So let's say 61k and NO warranty, reliability is not as good as stock / close to stock etc. So why not spend a little more and have FULL warranty, perhaps better interior etc? And that's with a base 1SS with no options, think of a 2SS with mrc/npp/wheels etc, you are looking at 70k+! So why not just get the ZL1, do some porting work, intake and done. You are looking at 620+ rwhp easy with LT4. Which would be perhaps more than an SS powerlevels after you do all the mods to it.

Don't get me wrong, I am not trying to judge or say people who SC their SS's aren't smart. They can do whatever they wanna do! I am not paying for it therefor I do not have the right to be negative about it. I think it is awesome that they do! I am just sharing my personal view of it.

With my build, when I am done. I will be around 430-450 rwhp/rwtq which is completely fine by me. There is ALWAYS a faster car around haha. I enjoy my car even without finishing my build and my reliability is as good as factory + full warranty. I am also be adding a 2018 ZL1 to the stable so I have absolutely no need to void out my warranty on the SS haha.

Hey man, I totally see your point, and it's a valid one - if your worried about the warranty. To me, it's a ball and chain. Part of the reason I went with the Camaro is that it's not an expensive car to maintain (vs. a Porsche for example). When I heard GM tell us a CAI would void the warranty, that was it for me. The car is capable of handling much, much more than it's tuned for.

You don't need to do anything to the heads either. At a very modest level of boost - 6psi, this is what a SC can do (Maggie) on pump gas. The axle and M6 can easily handle this kind of output. It's well within their ratings. You'll only have to address that stuff if you go crazy. I've even seen slips from people run 10.88sec/128mph 1/4 mile times with just a tire upgrade. I had already pre-ordered the 1LE replicas and Pilot Super Sports before deciding on the Maggie. For $7800, you can't beat it - pound for pound, it's the efficient upgrade you can make. If you buy a ZL1, remember your insurance will be almost double what it will be on the SS - and that's something you pay each year. Then you'll take a hit on depreciation trading in your SS as well. There are trade-offs either way, but I love the look and feel of my SS. With a reputable speed shop like Jannetty right near me, it made sense.

[Tr6]

Originally Posted by LesBaer

Hey man, I totally see your point, and it's a valid one - if your worried about the warranty. To me, it's a ball and chain. Part of the reason I went with the Camaro is that it's not an expensive car to maintain (vs. a Porsche for example). When I heard GM tell us a CAI would void the warranty, that was it for me. The car is capable of handling much, much more than it's tuned for.

You don't need to do anything to the heads either. At a very modest level of boost - 6psi, this is what a SC can do (Maggie) on pump gas. The axle and M6 can easily handle this kind of output. It's well within their ratings. You'll only have to address that stuff if you go crazy. I've even seen slips from people run 10.88sec/128mph 1/4 mile times with just a tire upgrade. I had already pre-ordered the 1LE replicas and Pilot Super Sports before deciding on the Maggie. For $7800, you can't beat it - pound for pound, it's the efficient upgrade you can make. If you buy a ZL1, remember your insurance will be almost double what it will be on the SS - and that's something you pay each year. Then you'll take a hit on depreciation trading in your SS as well. There are trade-offs either way, but I love the look and feel of my SS. With a reputable speed shop like Jannetty right near me, it made sense.

Hell yeah! There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong with doing what you are doing, it is AWESOME! Thank you for a VERY sound and logical reply! I truthfully was expecting the usual "omg wtf is wrong with you" replies on my modding mentality so thank YOU for your great reply! No sarcasm, am being serious! If keeping the reliability as high as possible and warranty together, it complicates the modding aspect. I did do the let's void the warranty out and it only bit me in the a$$ granted that wasn't a post-bankruptcy GM vehicle where they started making much much better vehicles compared to anyone in the market.

Extremely valid point on insurance increase, also I bet the cost of ownership will also be going up. Worse MPG, higher insurance, more expensive repairs, more expensive tires and slightly more pricey maintenance due to flat out needing more fluids, like the coolant. 11 heat exchangers, I think we have 10 already but LT4 SC on the ZL1 will be the 11th is my guess. For me, it will be my 4th vehicle, unless Jay Leno wants mine? Haha. So the ZL1 I don't see being driven more than 8k miles a year which cuts down my insurance 1/3. I pay 800 a year for my 2SS and if I drive it less than 8k miles, Safeco gives me almost 300 bucks break! 273 to be exact.

My original plan was to drive the SS for about 3 years and trade in for a ZL1 as I assumed ZL1 wouldn't come out till 2018 or even 2019! Get the SS in '16 and pick up a '18/'19 ZL1 when the '19s/'20 are hitting the lot while I just trade in my SS which isn't happening due to the history of my car haha. So I will just add the ZL1 to the stable.

Please do keep us posted on your build! I know you got a thread going and just keep posting up there! Looking forward to seeing the results!

[LesBaer]

Originally Posted by Tr6

Hell yeah! There is ABSOLUTELY NOTHING wrong with doing what you are doing, it is AWESOME! Thank you for a VERY sound and logical reply! I truthfully was expecting the usual "omg wtf is wrong with you" replies on my modding mentality so thank YOU for your great reply! No sarcasm, am being serious! If keeping the reliability as high as possible and warranty together, it complicates the modding aspect. I did do the let's void the warranty out and it only bit me in the a$$ granted that wasn't a post-bankruptcy GM vehicle where they started making much much better vehicles compared to anyone in the market.

Extremely valid point on insurance increase, also I bet the cost of ownership will also be going up. Worse MPG, higher insurance, more expensive repairs, more expensive tires and slightly more pricey maintenance due to flat out needing more fluids, like the coolant. 11 heat exchangers, I think we have 10 already but LT4 SC on the ZL1 will be the 11th is my guess. For me, it will be my 4th vehicle, unless Jay Leno wants mine? Haha. So the ZL1 I don't see being driven more than 8k miles a year which cuts down my insurance 1/3. I pay 800 a year for my 2SS and if I drive it less than 8k miles, Safeco gives me almost 300 bucks break! 273 to be exact.

My original plan was to drive the SS for about 3 years and trade in for a ZL1 as I assumed ZL1 wouldn't come out till 2018 or even 2019! Get the SS in '16 and pick up a '18/'19 ZL1 when the '19s/'20 are hitting the lot while I just trade in my SS which isn't happening due to the history of my car haha. So I will just add the ZL1 to the stable.

Please do keep us posted on your build! I know you got a thread going and just keep posting up there! Looking forward to seeing the results!

LOL...no worries man and thanks for the kind words I think that guy who's account got suspended put everyone on the defensive. People on another boost forum even tracked him down to Camaro6 and posted screenshots of his rants from here. I'm definitely not an expert and I'm very thankful to be able to learn more and more about the car and platform as time goes on. I learn more from people like you who take a different approach than I do since I can see what's influenced you. I have zero doubts that you'll be very, very happy with that ZL1. It's certainly the top dog no matter how much boost some puts through an LT1.

You're doing the safe and sound thing and there's nothing wrong with it. It's the right way to go all things considered. I'm the one taking the risk here at the end of the day, but I feel pretty good about it since I'm not going overboard or abusing the car. I wouldn't even think of doing something like this without an established shop or by cutting any corners. I just love my SS inside and out. I've been lucky to dodge the recall and all the other common early issues by getting my car a little later and it's been solid. I just couldn't wait - or put myself through another car buying process all over again. All I needed was that next level of punch at my disposal

Don't forget too that the ZL1 will even be further overbuilt to handle more than the SS if you decide to make upgrades down the road. We're all very lucky that GM rolled out the LT1 and LT4 with the Corvette first. I wouldn't even think of doing this without having that as a point of reference.

[Tr6]

Originally Posted by LesBaer

LOL...no worries man and thanks for the kind words I think that guy who's account got suspended put everyone on the defensive. People on another boost forum even tracked him down to Camaro6 and posted screenshots of his rants from here. I'm definitely not an expert and I'm very thankful to be able to learn more and more about the car and platform as time goes on. I learn more from people like you who take a different approach than I do since I can see what's influenced you. I have zero doubts that you'll be very, very happy with that ZL1. It's certainly the top dog no matter how much boost some puts through an LT1.

You're doing the safe and sound thing and there's nothing wrong with it. It's the right way to go all things considered. I'm the one taking the risk here at the end of the day, but I feel pretty good about it since I'm not going overboard or abusing the car. I wouldn't even think of doing something like this without an established shop or by cutting any corners. I just love my SS inside and out. I've been lucky to dodge the recall and all the other common early issues by getting my car a little later and it's been solid. I just couldn't wait - or put myself through another car buying process all over again. All I needed was that next level of punch at my disposal

Don't forget too that the ZL1 will even be further overbuilt to handle more than the SS if you decide to make upgrades down the road. We're all very lucky that GM rolled out the LT1 and LT4 with the Corvette first. I wouldn't even think of doing this without having that as a point of reference.

Oh it's not only 1 guy whom I've had the pleasure of hearing negative things. It's almost daily actually via facebook and sometimes here. All coming from non-gen6 camaro owners which I think it's quite funny. I plan on doing the same things with the ZL1 that I am doing with my SS. Intake, ported TB/IM/Headers, some exhaust like catless xpipe or at least secondary cats delete and of course a tune. But the best part is I can just remove the tune for dealership visits and put it back on after. Car can run with a stock tune np. Jannety should take care of you no problems! Truly am looking forward to your progress!

[LesBaer]

Originally Posted by Tr6

Oh it's not only 1 guy whom I've had the pleasure of hearing negative things. It's almost daily actually via facebook and sometimes here. All coming from non-gen6 camaro owners which I think it's quite funny. I plan on doing the same things with the ZL1 that I am doing with my SS. Intake, ported TB/IM/Headers, some exhaust like catless xpipe or at least secondary cats delete and of course a tune. But the best part is I can just remove the tune for dealership visits and put it back on after. Car can run with a stock tune np. Jannety should take care of you no problems! Truly am looking forward to your progress!

That's too bad that people are so negative...someone always knows better I guess LOL. Jannetty actually posted a little update yesterday that they had gotten 20hp just from my headers (without any tuning) and were starting on the Hearbeat install, so I should see it soon. Just remember, the headers will more than likely throw a code that will be need to be cleared by the tune. I'm not sure how that impacts going to back to the dealer. My assumption is that you'll be fine for any small warranty claims, but I can't say for sure what will happen if you suffer a catastrophic powertrain issue.

Also, I'm pretty sure that the majority of shops are using HPTuners right now for our cars, and they don't have a handheld or way to flash back on your own. I think that you'd have to bring the car back if you needed it flashed back. I heard this back when I was exploring all my options and trying to decide if I was even going to do anything at all. I'm not 100% certain that I'm recalling this correctly, but that's what I remember.

Let me tell you, regardless of what you do and how long it takes, the time that you're sitting there waiting for it to get done goes by soooo slow