Frid's Journal: '11 VR 2SS/RS LS3
 

My Build :headbang:



Attention: All rights reserved. Any and all photos/videos found within this thread may not be copied, edited, reproduced, linked, or displayed in any form or by any means; electronic, mechanical, optical, or otherwise, without prior written permission from myself. If you wish to use any of the photos/videos found within this thread please contact me.


Thought now would be a good time to start a build thread seeing that a large majority of stuff that I have wanted to do with this car has been done. Still waiting on a few other things and have some other BIG stuff planned in the future as well. Rewind to December 2011. I was currently stationed overseas and with nothing to do after work I'd watch old videos of my buddies and their cars as well as other videos of drag racing, road racing, etc. I had owned a couple of other vehicles before the Camaro, but liked them nowhere as much as I love this car.
First car was a 2001 Cobra. Great car for what it was, but problems kept presenting themselves and I traded in for a 2010 Sierra Ext Cab SLE. I was wanting to go with the show truck look, but after time I got the itch for performance again. You might ask why I didn't get a Mustang again. Well, TBH some of it was peer pressure lol. I have a few friends with 4th gens and every time I had rode in their car, it just seemed much quicker then the 4.6 DOHC modular motor (01s aren't supercharged). Hanging with people with Camaros all of the time got me thinking about test driving the new 5th gen. Once I got in side and punched it on the highway, I fell in love haha. Plus they look much better then the mustangs IMO.
That leads to December 23, 2011. Was home on mid tour leave and took a trip to the dealer to see what I could do. After about 4 hours at the dealership, I was signing papers for my brand new 2011 2SS/RS. One of the happiest days of my life. Here are a few pics of my Cobra, Sierra, and of course the Camaro after it got to its new home :thumb:

CURRENT MODS:

Performance:

-American Racing 1 7/8" LT headers with HF Cats and X-Pipe
-Borla ATAK axle-back
-C.A.I Inc. Intake
-Moroso Catch Can
-VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body
-JRE Scoop
-Lethal Racing 'Night Fury' Cam
-Street Tune by Lethal Racing
-MGW Short Throw Shifter w/ Gripper Knob
-PFADT Trailing Arms
-PFADT Lowering Springs

Cosmetic:

-RPI Style Splitter
-Gloss Black Powder Coated OEM Wheels
-Anvil Spoiler
-GM Strut Tower Brace w/ TPiS Adapter
-VFN COPO Style Hood
-Heritage Grille
-Sparks Restoration SS (black and red) Emblems Front and Rear
-ACS Side Skirts
-Flat Black Trunk Blackout (soon to be gloss black)
-RPI Flat Black Tail Light Bezels (soon to be gloss black)
-Gen5DIY Quad Tip Diffuser with Tips
-Big Worm Graphix Smoked Tail Light Tint
-Flat Black Rally Stripes

FUTURE MODS:

-PAYING THE CAR OFF :lol:
-Forgestar CF10s Deep Concave 20x10/20x11, 275/40/20 - 315/35/20 Nitto Invos
-Painted Gloss Black Rally Stripes
-Oracle Ghosted Side Markers
-Engine Dressup Parts
-Mantic Clutch
-DSS 1000 Axels
-PFADT Tie Rods
-PFADT Sub Frame Bushings
-Some sort of F/I with Forged Rotating Assembly :D

:clap: Looking forward to seeing what you do with your Camaro!

Frid,
Nice collection...I like all of them...Truck is REAL Sweet...VR Camaro is good looking and the Mustang is cool also....

Welcome to the forum....

Kurt ABL99...:chevy:

Cant wait to see the car once its back from the paint shop with all the new add ons. Going to look sweet! :headbang:

Mods!
 

First thing to go was that ugly front license plate bracket. I attempted to do it myself and use Bumper Plugs, but the holes were too large, so I took it to my body shop and had them fill the holes and repaint the front end.



It was only a matter of time before I started ordering stuff for my car. Fast forward from December 23rd to May 08th 2012. The day I returned home from overseas. This was what was awaiting for me :thumbup:

-C.A.I Inc Black Powder Coated Intake
-American Racing 1 7/8 LT Headers with HF Cats and Pure Thunder Catback
-JRE Scoop and RotoFab W/W Relocate Kit
-Moroso Catch Can
-RX VMAX CNC Ported Throttle Body
-MGW STS with Gripper Knob
-PFADT Lowering Springs
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps60b124ca.jpg

Scheduled my appointment with Ron @ Vengeance for the install and dyno tune that following week. Car arrived after the 4hr trip to Vengeance with a whopping 1100 miles on the Odometer :thumbup:

Sorry for the lack of pictures, alot were lost since then or can't be found :cry:

End results from Vengeance. Car put down 414rwhp/409rwtq. Definitely was a great drive back home:headbang:

Dyno Video.
http://s1113.photobucket.com/user/Th...a/018.mp4.html

http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...psab4224cf.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...pseecde230.jpg

Next up: TINTS! Man, did this car need them lol. Tinting was done at Solar Solutions in Lexington. 27% (legal) on all glass except windshield. Loved the new look!
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps284e60be.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7e235a14.jpg

Again, sorry for the lack of pics and the size :D

Next, I wanted to be able to put the new power to the wheels so I got me a set of PFADT Trailing Arms and installed them with my buddy. Install was pretty straight forward. Hardest part was removing the stock bushings. DIY threads really come in handy on this forum. Wheel hop after these seems to almost disappear completely at the track. Still a little bit of hop going into second, but all in all a great part to invest in.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps06d8a8ae.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...psa90657be.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...e_Frid/006.jpg

After that, I wanted to do some cosmetic mods to stand out from the crowd :thumb:
-Flat Black tail light bezels from RPI
-Smoked tail light tint from Big Worm Graphix
-Flat Black trunk black-out
-Sparks Restorations SS emblems
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2c6abb93.png
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps972be1e0.jpg
Really liked how this was looking. Subtle but awesome :thumbup:

:headbang:

Thanks Kurt. The truck won me a few trophies, but really missed my Mustang after awhile.

:word:
It gets started on tomorrow :thumbup:

It's about time...Looking good man. =)

Shortly after, I decided I wanted to be louder....MUCH LOUDER. So I placed an order from Phastek for the Borla ATAK axle-back. :headbang: Sounded much better to me after that. Don't get me wrong, the Pure Thunder mufflers from ARH are great, but weren't as loud as I was hoping. :thumb:
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...psa6da7a29.jpg

Roughly a week or so went by and I came across a thread of someone doing a quad exhaust set up. This was before the '13 and dual mode option came out and I was sold. Did a little researching, and found that Ofer (2SSRS) was selling a custom made diffuser made from the OEM one. Got the order placed and it was shipped right before CF3 kicked off. Hands down one of my favorite mods on this car. Makes the rear end look so much more aggressive. It was a while before I was able to get into the muffler shop and have the tips welded on, but the wait was well worth it.
Some pics:
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps74159a6c.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps2dd1964a.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps1f2a5884.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9b8d4d0a.jpg

Thanks J. :thumb:

Oh yeah looking beastly my friend, more pictures please!~:headbang::pop2:

Frid,
The quads make the rear end....They look GREAT....I always liked them on just about anything, but REALLY LIKE them on the Camaro....

Nicely Done...Kurt ABL99...:chevy:

Off to Camaros for Heros 2012! First time running with these mods and ran a 12.88 @110mph best that day. Pretty hot day as it was in Summer. Hopefully I'll be able to get low 12s or possibly break into the 11s with my new mods. Few videos of me racing with my buddy Kevin (swizlstik on C5)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cHyYt4AApN4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ogoumpHpP2k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpe0-hFBBqQ




Taking a while debating between an aftermarket rim and powder coating the stockers, I decided to go with the powder coating route. Work done at Ultimate Audio in Lexington. Very reputable shop that will do just about anything from lowering, audio, customs, fabricating, hydrographics, and paint. Great group of guys too. Some pics of the wheels powder coated. Black Gorilla locking lug nuts bought from Chase @ Apex :thumbup:
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps83abb264.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps127b74ad.jpg

Cam Time!
 

My next mod took me awhile to finally tell myself to pull the trigger on it. On December 17th 2012, I gave Shawn a call at Lethal Racing and set up my appointment for their Night Fury cam kit. I went with the LS2 dampener instead of keeping the stock LS3 tensioners as well as a new oil pump, rods, springs, trunion upgrade, timing chain, etc. Even being deployed, I was still extremely anxious about the upgrade. I had read so many good things about these guys and I am glad I went with them.
Pic upon the arrival at Lethal :headbang:
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...psbd7e0264.jpg

Nick doing his thing!
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps334c7aa5.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps3f7e05c7.jpg

Install and tuning took just a little over a day's worth. I guess when you put some many of these cams out a month, it becomes like instinct. Was very happy with the numbers that it put out even if it is a generous dyno 486 rwhp/464rwtq :thumbup:
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5972f3ef.jpg

Idle video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0jKexLVsSFA

Car ready for the 12hr trip back home :thumb:
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...psfee56286.jpg

After a 24hrs worth of driving to and from Lethal, the car wash in serious need to be cleaned. Bug guts smothered the front end and of course road grime, bird dropping, etc. Kevin (swizlstik) and Mike (mcotton) gladly picked it up from my residence and gave it some Adam's lovin. Absolutely love their products and can't see myself using any other brand now :D
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6085e411.jpg

A few videos of some spirited driving :D
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZhiDGgltC4Q
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U79qwVo2rRI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oSfUPOHQ7RE


Spending the night with Kevin's ZL1 :thumbup:
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6a147aee.jpg

GM strut brace ordered from Maureen @ Rodger's Chevy. Thank you Maureen for the great price and fast shipping :thanks:. Adapter purchased from TPiS. Great fit and finish.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...pseea29e83.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps6a3f035f.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps69b7cd83.jpg

Time to lose some more weight off the car :D. Seat delete kit bought off a member on this site. Original site: http://www.rearseatdelete.com
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps7f89eaaa.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...psca50e82e.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...pse6a9ab17.jpg

Great fit and finish. Shaves roughly 33lbs off and can easily be swapped back to the stock seats:headbang:
More noise in the cabin, but not something that bothers me. I like to hear my car working :D

For the past 8 months of this deployment, I've been getting some mods for the car to really set it off.
- ACS side skirts
- Heritage Grille
- Sparks Restorations SS emblem for the grille
- VFN COPO style hood from OHIO SPEED
- RPI style splitter
- Anvil spoiler

Room was getting full :D
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps0251c1c4.jpg

Hood being delivered.
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps20269512.jpg

Buddy's truck all packed up ready to head to my painter :headbang:
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps9b932247.jpg


Recently, the car was dropped off with Richard Wright Jr. and waiting paint tomorrow. Extremely excited to see it come together!
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps4d2d4a88.jpg

Link to the thread about what all is getting done:
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=289589

Will keep both threads updated :thumbup:

Car looks awesome!

I can't wait til I can get some headers on mine! Powder coating my rims black is soon though.

Wheels!!!
 

Couldn't hold off any longer. Pulled the trigger and ordered some Forgestar CF10s in gloss black. Thanks to Tony @ DV8motoring for hooking me up. Hopefully I'll get the wheels around the time I get home.

Deep Concave 20x10 w/ 275/40/20 Nitto Invos
Deep Concave 20x11 w/ 315/35/20 Nitto Invos

:thumb:

http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps5d8b1c09.jpg
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps508a39d5.jpg

These should really give the car that look I want. Shaving off around 24lbs too :thumbup:






More mods from Phastek on the way!

- PFADT tie rods
- Oracle Ghosted Side Markers

:thumbup:

Thanks! Headers will wake this car up! Definitely a mod worth its money. I might be selling my stockers when my Forgestars come in. Can't wait to see yours with the rims done :thumb:

Off topic. My uncles '68 Mustang :noidea:
http://i1113.photobucket.com/albums/...ps456bc4c6.jpg

Looks awesome Matt! :headbang:

Thanks Chris :thumb:

It's been a blast watching your car grow. I can't wait for you to get back and enjoy it!

:amen:

Thanks Kevin. Without yours, rod's, and Mike's help, it wouldnt be where it is today.

Mustang is awesome....nice pix.

Kurt

Thanks Kurt. Yeah, he loves it. First muscle car he has had since his Trans Am.

Looks a lot like the interior of a 5th Gen Camaro. LoL

:lol:

use the edit button on me will you. That is a nice Mustang though.

Mickey lay off the beers lol.

Was told today that the car is being torn down for paint and for the parts installation. Should have a pic tomorrow :thumbup:

Looks good man! Ill be checking in on the progress.

Thanks :thumbup:

Look what came in today! :clap2:
Now just waiting on the wheels.

Nitto Invos FTW! Can't wait to see them mounted and wheels installed!

Hood has been fitted :thumbup:
And another pic of the tires. Love those fat rear tires!

:happyanim:
Neither can I. Will be a minute before they come in, but hopefully they should be delivered around the time I get back home.

Matt, FYI - here is what those big ole Invo 315's look like mounted up and sitting next to the car (I pulled the rears last week and installed ZL1 splash shields). I look forward to your return so I can see your reborn beast!!