One generation newer (the evolution of a base LS)
 

205hp 3.8L V6, 0-60 in 8 seconds, 1/4 mile in 16 seconds, 26 MPG


http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...o/PB230139.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...o/P3150125.jpg







Oh wait........ That was 8 years ago. This is today. :D





312hp 3.6L V6, 0-60 in 5.9 seconds, 1/4 mile in 14 seconds, 36 MPG (at 55) :headbang:

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0988.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0982.jpg



Overall perceived quality, even though this new one is the absolute base and my old one was the absolute top of the line, is about 5x's better than the last generation camaro. Much better materials, much better fit/ finish, and body gaps are tight enough so that it would be a challenge to work a razor blade into them. Performance is night and day different.

Old: nimble for its size, however rough riding with noticeable axle hop over sharp bumps. Noticeable road and exterior noise.
New: still as nimble, but very smooth riding. Cadillac quiet.

Old: Loud fat sounding engine. While light on its feet, its no speed demon. Transmission must co-operate to deliver a decent linear acceleration.
New: Loud athletic sounding engine. While not a V8 rumble, the interior note demands authority, when you rev it under load it sounds like it means business. Acceleration is snappy and instant, even when in a high gear. (Woo-Hoo for a flat torque curve!) Acceleration is exponential, once the tach hits 3500 the car wakes up. The car pulls progressively harder until it redlines at close to 7000.


http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0955.jpg





Interior is very comfy and quiet, though as to be expected with a base model camaro, there is a lot of plastic and the rear seat is useless (when the driver is 6'5").

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0973.jpg
http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0987.jpg



The lines on this car are just stunning. Sitting inside of the car with its restricted visibility makes you feel like youre in something built for business, while the exterior body lines make it look muscular and athletic. Its too bad you dont see more of this in modern cars.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0964.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0975.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0974.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0972.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0980.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0977.jpg

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0969.jpg




The car came with all of the options I wanted, bluetooth, XM, floor mats, etc. (the basics). The only thing I did not get that I really wanted was aluminum rims. I was concerned the steel wheels would look like poop. But, surprisingly, I like the way they look. They give the car a meaner feel. I dont think they would have worked if they didnt come with the body colored beauty rings though. Tires are 245/55/18.


http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0946.jpg




I was not :bs: the 36 mpg claim either. On my way to work, I cruise at 58 with cruise control on. With the AC on, it gets a constant 34 mpg the entire way, with the AC off I see 36 mpg. Overall average on my first tank, which included 1/2 highway 1/2 drive-it-like-a-camaro driving yielded a 26 mpg average. V8 performance at 4 banger economy. Incredible.


This is to be a slow progressive project, as this is my DD (and only) car right now. Expect to see mostly cosmetic changes until I feel comfortable enough to start endangering the warranty.


After a 3 year hiatus (I delved into the world of the jeep JK after my last one) It feels SO good to be back into a camaro. It feels even better now that I FINALLY have a vehicle with more than 200 hp. :thumbup:

Great collection....................

Whats your plan for mods?

First up are simple things. The center console gauge cluster, some kind of lip spoiler, and a stripe (Im thinking hockey stripe). The more expensive items I want are HID projectors and fogs (maybe OEM, maybe an aftermarket design) and rims wrapped in sports tires. I would really like to do some kind of deep dish 20 spoke rims (without getting too extreme). Say 20", 265 front and 285 rear (no research done on fitment whatsoever....Im just pulling numbers). Something similar to this:


http://www.buywheelstoday.com/images_products/L_671.jpg


As far as warranty voiding items: Id like to do a full exhaust and tune. Longtubes, high flow cats, x-pipe, and a MRT 2.0 exhaust. Id also like to do some form of high flow intake (if there is any gain to be had with one). All of this, of course, with an appropriate tune to take advantage of everything.

Diving into a centrifugal SC would be nice, but this is still my one and only DD for the moment, so none of that until I have something to take to work everyday (and drive in the winter).

Nice writeup & pics, FFD! Although I drive the SS, it sounds like the LT gives a great experience as well. Enjoy & I look forward to seeing your mods.

I actually dont even have an LT, just the stripped out LS. :D



It its a big difference from my optioned out 99 'vert, though surprisingly, even with my last camaro stickering for $10k more than what my '11 coupe did the '11 feels like twice the car. Of course the leather was far better than the LS's cloth, the actual design, structure, suspension, and drivetrain are leaps and bounds better in every respect.

Just curious. How is the interior noise on the new convertible? With my last one it was hard to have a conversation in a normal voice, especially paired with the exhaust I had (though it was mostly road/ wind noise). Im shocked as to how quiet the new coupe is. I also remember my '99 shuttering a lot over stiff bumps (chassis flex).

I never saw one without the center gauge cluster before.. I have to admit, I barely look at mine. So I would have been good with the extra space.

IIRC its the LS, 1LT, and 1SS that do not have them. The 2LT and 2SS are supposed to come with them standard. At least thats what I picked up from GM's website.

Its a $400 drop in part. Aside from having to replace the shifter bezel its plug and play. I know the information center tells you 1/2 of what the cluster will tell you, but Im a pilot, and I love instruments. :laugh:

The top left tells oil pressure... and the sensor went bad one time making me think that as I gave the car gas, the oil pressure was pegging out over 70psi.. Kinda freaked out on that and took it to the dealer immediately. Luckily it was just something in the gauge.

Time for appearance upgrades!



Ok, with my totally lame photoshop skills, I made an attempt at trying to convey my ideas for a stripe/ accent vinyl package for my car. And yes, I did borrow some user's pictures to try and convey these ideas.

Keep in mind, that any appearance of a different shade of grey is just my lame attempt at trying to show shadow. I am looking for all of the vinyl to be a deep, almost but not quite black, satin grey. I would rather just paint everything, but with so much to be done, I dont want to get so deep into it that I would have to repaint the entire car if I decide I did too much.


You all know how it looks now....rather plain.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...I/SANY0988.jpg



Step one: Heritage grille. This person painted his, I will not.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attach...1&d=1273290797



Step two: rally stripes. The factory option stripes from the dealer.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...20II/1cam5.jpg


Step three: Color the chin under the lower grille to give the effect the grille is larger than it is. Vinyl is to be the same color as the factory plastic.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...camarochin.jpg


Step four: Black out not only the inside of the grille area, but also the bezel that transitions the grille area to the bumper.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...1camaroeye.jpg


Step five: Place the output on the cowl. Instead of "304 HP" I will want "350 HP" in anticipation of my goal with this car.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p.../1camarohp.jpg


Step six: Color the gills. Not just with solid bars of color, but rather the trailing edge of the lines, to give the effect the gills are actually an intake.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...amarogills.jpg


Step seven: Black out the rear fascia to match the front. Again, not just the center bar between the lights, but the bezel that transitions it to the bumper as well.

http://i129.photobucket.com/albums/p...camarorear.jpg




Step eight: Rims. TSW Nurburgrings 315 rear/ 275 front (on a V6? But WHY? *because I have the ability to*) :D

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/attach...9&d=1275925939



Step nine: PROFIT!!!!! :happyanim: