[JROC]

Really mods seem to be very expensive for these GEN6 Camaros or maybe it's just GEN5 SBC's in generally, but holy crap. I use to think $1800-$2200 was a lot for a complete exhaust from your higher-end exhaust companies. A complete U.S made SS exhaust for a GEN6 looks to be pushing $3K. It's just stainless tubing that's been bent into shape and welded together. A CAI looks to be like $400+. I have an awesome JLT CAI on my L that cost well under $200. My LID/drop in K&N on my Fcar was maybe $120? About $700 for a good 102+ MM TB? It's just a block of aluminum machined to mount to a manifold with 4 bolts in a square pattern and a large hole in the center of them with a butterfly valve and maybe an electrical sensor mounted on it. Do the GEN5 LT motors see bigger gains from these mods then say your GEN4 LS motors? Then you'll probably need a $1300 manifold to run a l02+ MM TB. That's $2k right there. I mean what's a clutch or a STS cost for a new Camaro.

I know I'm ranting here, and I'm all for people/companies making their $. They're in business to make a profit, and these arent necessarily LS7 aftermarket part prices. Still I don't see why aftermarket parts for GEN6 Camaros should cost much if any more than they do for cars a generation or two back. I'm all for businesses making money, but I don't want to feel extorted either. Oddly enough more serious mods like a cam or head porting doesn't seems like it's gone up "TOO" much over your LS stuff. (maybe a little bit more) It seems to me to mainly apply to bolt ons from what I'm seeing.

Please tell me if you think I'm wrong. I'm not the bigger expert, but when I start looking for mods for this car I keep thinking, "wow that part cost a lot of money for this car.)

[TRZ06]

IMO, manufacturing costs are higher than they used to be.

Another thing to consider is that while many will still upgrade to aftermarket, cars are built with quality OEM stuff already nowadays to where aftermarket isn't as needed as before, so an aftermarket company will yield less for all their R&D than they used to, so to compensate, they have to increase their margins.

Also, with exhaust systems at least, if it maintains the valves/dual mode, that adds production costs.

Pricing for the Euro crowd is going up as well, you can pay upwards of $8K to $10K on certain BMW/Audi full systems.

[JROC]

Originally Posted by TRZ06

IMO, manufacturing costs are higher than they used to be.

Another thing to consider is that while many will still upgrade to aftermarket, cars are built with quality OEM stuff already nowadays to where aftermarket isn't as needed as before, so an aftermarket company will yield less for all their R&D than they used to, so to compensate, they have to increase their margins.

Also, with exhaust systems at least, if it maintains the valves/dual mode, that adds production costs.

Pricing for the Euro crowd is going up as well, you can pay upwards of $8K to $10K on certain BMW/Audi full systems.

You do make some very good points. Especially that OEM parts are much improved and not as needing of replacement as they were in years past. Also time moves on, inflation goes up and labor costs increase. I can't complain about that too much as I'm a tool maker myself.

I hope those Euro exhausts are like full titanium and CF exhaust systems for those kinds of prices.

BTW how much were your ZL1 1LE solid bushing and were did you get them if you don't mind me asking? I've seen other threads where you're a big proponent of solid subframe bushings on these cars. I have detected some wheelhop in this car especially with the outside temps dropping. I replaced all the IRS bushings on my old Terminator with a delrin/UHMW/aluminum bushings kit and it was a huge improvement over the OEM rubber.

[TRZ06]

Originally Posted by JROC

You do make some very good points. Especially that OEM parts are much improved and not as needing of replacement as they were in years past. Also time moves on, inflation goes up and labor costs increase. I can't complain about that too much as I'm a tool maker myself.

I hope those Euro exhausts are like full titanium and CF exhaust systems for those kinds of prices.

BTW how much were your ZL1 1LE solid bushing and were did you get them if you don't mind me asking? I've seen other threads where you're a big proponent of solid subframe bushings on these cars. I have detected some wheelhop in this car especially with the outside temps dropping. I replaced all the IRS bushings on my old Terminator with a delrin/UHMW/aluminum bushings kit and it was a huge improvement over the OEM rubber.

Yeah, those exhaust systems that are that much are the Ti and CF ones, but even the non exotic ones are way more expensive that the domestic systems for Corvettes, Camaro's, Mustangs, etc.

I got my Solid cradle bushings from Wildhammer Motorsports, they are the GMPP ones, but from what I understand they are hard to get ahold of now and I have even heard that GM has stopped selling them as a standalone part, but that is just what I have heard on here, not sure how true that is.

They do make a big difference, mostly in how the rear-end behaves in quick transition maneuvers and on back roads or high speed sweepers. It is the single best thing to get you close to the body control you get from the ZL1 1LE

[Joshinator99]

My brother has a ‘16 Z06 and can tell you his car-specific items (like CAI, exhaust, etc) are definitely more expensive than they were for my car.

[Paintslinger16]

Big boy Toys are expensive, the market will pay it, i was super stoked to find my used 18 had a cat back system on it when I got it home, no mention from dealer.
I came back to cars from the Harley world, by the inch HD aftermarket exhaust are way more expensive.
I spent 1000.00 on a 2:1 D&D for my Springer probably only 40 inches of tube.

[JamesNoBrakes]

Originally Posted by JROC

Really mods seem to be very expensive for these GEN6 Camaros or maybe it's just GEN5 SBC's in generally, but holy crap. I use to think $1800-$2200 was a lot for a complete exhaust from your higher-end exhaust companies. A complete U.S made SS exhaust for a GEN6 looks to be pushing $3K. It's just stainless tubing that's been bent into shape and welded together. A CAI looks to be like $400+. I have an awesome JLT CAI on my L that cost well under $200. My LID/drop in K&N on my Fcar was maybe $120? About $700 for a good 102+ MM TB? It's just a block of aluminum machined to mount to a manifold with 4 bolts in a square pattern and a large hole in the center of them with a butterfly valve and maybe an electrical sensor mounted on it. Do the GEN5 LT motors see bigger gains from these mods then say your GEN4 LS motors? Then you'll probably need a $1300 manifold to run a l02+ MM TB. That's $2k right there. I mean what's a clutch or a STS cost for a new Camaro.

I know I'm ranting here, and I'm all for people/companies making their $. They're in business to make a profit, and these arent necessarily LS7 aftermarket part prices. Still I don't see why aftermarket parts for GEN6 Camaros should cost much if any more than they do for cars a generation or two back. I'm all for businesses making money, but I don't want to feel extorted either. Oddly enough more serious mods like a cam or head porting doesn't seems like it's gone up "TOO" much over your LS stuff. (maybe a little bit more) It seems to me to mainly apply to bolt ons from what I'm seeing.

Please tell me if you think I'm wrong. I'm not the bigger expert, but when I start looking for mods for this car I keep thinking, "wow that part cost a lot of money for this car.)

Well, you should be smart enough to buy stuff that will actually increase your power, and for that, you will pay some money, but it'll be worth it. Suckers will buy the K&N kits, the "cold air intakes", etc...

You gotta pay to play. Headers + full exhaust + a tune will give you some gains, not huge, since you are dealing with a NA engine. It takes some money to design those parts so they fit the same every time and materials that will be heat resistant as necessary.

I think you are wrong. Gains on a NA engine are very difficult. You can often get a 20-33% increase on a turbo engine by going exhaust(downpipe included) + tune, not in every case, but in many cases and it's usually a significant increase. NA engines work differently and it's not possible to cram more fuel and air into the cylinder because there's nothing "pushing it" that you can tell to push harder.

Quality stuff costs money, whether it's a corvette, a camaro or a BMW.

[nasbagoat]

Also mods are always more expensive on current generation cars, as the cars age they will get cheaper usually. At least that have been my experience.

[s346k]

Originally Posted by nasbagoat

Also mods are always more expensive on current generation cars, as the cars age they will get cheaper usually. At least that have been my experience.

this. gen v is still the latest engine. aftermarket parts will be expensive for another 15 years.

[beedo]

JROC
Where do you work man, I am a toolmaker as well at lockheed Martin. Most people think we make wrenches lol

[USAFS197]

Generally speaking, stuff is just more expensive as a whole. Right now I’m getting a pretty unsettling taste of that Corvette tax. If you really wanted to spend some money, a 2” ARH long tube setup and full Akrapovic exhaust system will crest north of $8,000 without cats and uncoated. Blows my mind.

But the sentiment about quality is true. However, I find it utterly audacious that a company can charge as much money as they do for a damn muffler delete on these cars, 6th Gen or C7. That’s just absurd.

[Matos1LE]

Originally Posted by USAFS197

Generally speaking, stuff is just more expensive as a whole. Right now I’m getting a pretty unsettling taste of that Corvette tax. If you really wanted to spend some money, a 2” ARH long tube setup and full Akrapovic exhaust system will crest north of $8,000 without cats and uncoated. Blows my mind.

But the sentiment about quality is true. However, I find it utterly audacious that a company can charge as much money as they do for a damn muffler delete on these cars, 6th Gen or C7. That’s just absurd.

The Akrapovic alone is like $6k! I would have to have it though lol. I have wanted one on a car forever, although I would definitely try to get a used one.

[JROC]

Originally Posted by beedo

JROC
Where do you work man, I am a toolmaker as well at lockheed Martin. Most people think we make wrenches lol

Good deal. I'm sure Lockheed Martin is a pretty desirable tool maker job to have. Right now I work for a company called REI Automation. I started out as a die builder for about 9 years, and have been in the trade since 04.

Yeah I try to remember to tell people not in the trade that I'm a machinist instead of a tool maker. They really were like WTH when I'd tell them I was a die builder. Lol