Greg's EMLC (2013 Camaro 2SS w/RS package)
 

Greg's EMLC (2013 Camaro 2SS w/RS package) Build Thread

I am starting this thread to track my progression through my envisioned mods. I purchased my 2013 2SS w/RS package on May 25th, 2013 in Seattle, WA.

I have always been an admirer of the Camaro look and feel, but my interest began to intensify with the 2010-2012 models. When I first saw a 2013 model, I knew I was hooked. I have always been into "blacked-out", so the original intention was to buy the stock 2SS 1LE, but in the end I did not think the performance suspension options (and related cost) were justified in my day-to-day driving. As such, I eliminated the 1LE option, which regrettably also eliminated the nice Black 10-spoke forged aluminum wheels that I liked so much in the original build-out I spec'd. That put me into after-market for the wheels. Back when I was excited about the earlier models, the 2011 Synergy Green model was showcased - I remember at that time thinking, let's reverse that! I want a blacked-out version with Synergy-Green accents. So then began the process of procuring the desired options package and waiting for availability. I traded in a 2005 Durango SLT that I bought used in 2001.

Full-disclosure: I fully consider this an early form of second-childhood. I recently sold my business and came into some moderate disposable income and decided to treat myself with something I was literally consumed with acquiring - obviously not functionally ideal from a family perspective, but the wife was supportive and the kids (two teenage girls, 14 and 16 at time of writing this post) were just happy to see me happy. Best quote of the day when I first brought the car home, from my oldest daughter, upon seeing the car in the driveway for the first time: "Dad, it is a little awk(ward) saying this, but that is the sexiest thing I have ever seen."

I am not necessarily intending to trick out this great beast to achieve anything close to one-of-a-kind - I have spent countless hours reading and refining what I think I would like to take this car and looking forward to the journey. I consider myself somewhere in the middle, technically. I have rebuilt engines in my distant past, and have no fear of cracking open the inner-workings and even risking the occasional circuit board mods - we will see how it goes. Been fun reading the DIY threads, especially the dash LED mods...

Always looking for input on mods!

Garage has the full recap of all mods, but here is a recent copy/paste:

Exterior Modifications
06/08/2013 - Fog Light Plasma Bulbs Upgrade (P13W) with DRL Harness
http://www.phastekperformance.com/20...s-led-p13w.htm

06/12/2013 - Front/Rear Chevy Bowties/logo - Synergy Green
http://www.rpidesigns.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=1800

06/12/2013 - Exterior Camaro Nameplates - Green
http://www.rpidesigns.com/shop/item.aspx?itemid=2257

06/23/2013 - Gen5 "SS" Caliper Covers - Synergy Green
http://www.carid.com/2012-chevy-cama...s-1442468.html

06/18/2013 - 25% Window Tint
http://www.midnightwindowtinting.com/

06/23/2013 - Plasti-dip the OEM rims (trying this before I buy new custom wheels)
http://www.dipyourcar.com

07/01/2013 - Hood Spears
http://camarodecalstore.com/HOOD-ACC...PE-HAS-110.htm

07/04/2013 - NightOwl Halo + Grill Light + DRL Harness
http://nightowlleds.com/kits/nightowl-rgb-halo-kit/

Performance/Handling Modifications
05/28/2013 - F8 Fuse Pull for Dual-mode exhaust.
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=268970

06/12/2013 - CAI Cold Air Intake - Short Ram (Part # 501-1099-10B)
http://www.coldairinductions.com/sto...-air-intake-59

06/08/2013 - Skip-Shift Eliminator
http://www.phastekperformance.com/20...eliminator.htm

06/24/2013 - Octane Fuel Correction
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showpo...postcount=2397

07/16/2013 - VMAX Ported Throttle Body
http://www.apex-speed.com/vmax-cnc-s...9-and-ls7.html

Future Mods
AGP Twin Turbo
Livernois Motorsports L92 Stage 2C
AEM Tru-Boost EBC and AEM Air/Fuel Ratio Gauge (mounted in an A-pillar 2-gauge pod)

First mod applied, probably the easiest - The F8 Fuse pull. The posts here on the forums made this a trivial task, and it was completed in less than 5 minutes. Have to say, it definitely has a noticeable impact - I really enjoy having the full fidelity sound of the engine all the time.

Ordered lots of upgrade parts this week - looking forward to installing and reporting progress...

I originally wanted the stock SS Wheels - the black 10-spoke. However, the RS package addition swaps these great rims to stock chrome 5-spoke. After a lot of consideration, I kept coming back to one specific wheel - the DUB Phase-5 Matte Black wheels - will give it a week or so, but here is my first choice as of this week.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/pictur...ctureid=105139http://www.mhtwheels.com/cms_images/...Phase5_700.png


Second choice is the Boss Motorsports 339, Black with Machine Stripe:
http://www.bossmotorsports.com/cms_i...ss_339_300.png


Third choice is th eGiovanna KILIS Black:
http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse....ilis-Black.jpg

Geo all the way people say amazing things about mine all the time

Orders are finally starting to ship.

CAI Brand CAI
P13W Fog Light Upgrade with the DRL Harness
Skip-Shift Eliminator
Custom Plates
Some dash kit pieces
Synergy Green Caliper Covers
New Synergy Green logo badges
New Synergy Green Camaro lettering badges

Ordered the black and gloss plastidip for the wheels. I am going to see how I feel about the current rims blacked-out before I drop over $1K on new rims. BTW, my final preference was the Dub Phase5 wheels...

Installed the P13W's and the DRL Harness today. Like the effect on the new bulbs, love the way the fogs look with the main headlights

- Installed the C.A.I. CAI: Pretty much by the book. The only exception was breaking a tab on the hose inlet. The directions state that you pull firmly to get it off the underlying o-ring, but I accidentally pulled a little off center and broke a tab. Did not matter in the end as the entire termination end is housed within the provided rubber hose and then heat-shrink wrapped. Engine immediately sounded more consistent, will see if there is a noticeable effect while driving.

- Replaced the Camaro emblems: There are a few DIY posts, but I found 60-70 seconds of direct hair dryer on High softened the adhesive enough to make it easy to gently pry off the lettering. Prior to that, to preserve the location and alignment of the lettering, I applied painters tape on top/bottom and on the left of every letter - no guessing on placement! I used some extra tape over completed letters to deflect heat from the next letter.

- Replaced the front and rear Chevy bowties: The front bowtie was simply about muscling the horizontals tabs down to free them and then wiggle/pull the vertical tabs straight out. Replacement snapped right back in. For the rear bowtie, similar to above, I outlined the four sides with painters tape to retain exact location and alignment.

Yesterday, got my side and rear windows tinted - the guys over at Midnight Window Tinting did a great job - I chose the SunTek Carbon at 25%. Looks great and perfectly applied.

Over the weekend I was able to plati-dip and gloss the stock wheels and install the caliper covers. From an exterior perspective, short of new Dub Phase5 wheels, the exterior is almost exactly what I envisioned.

Attachment 527259
Attachment 527260
Attachment 527258

Will post more pictures ASAP.

I have a set of hood stripes in synergy green on order - wanted to see if I liked the look or not.

Will be performing the Octane Fuel Fix tonight to see if it has a material effect.

Pretty much completed the exterior mods today, with the exception of the NightOwl LED system, which is awaiting the July 4th long weekend for the install.

Here are some updated pics, including the hood:
Attachment 529429Attachment 529430Attachment 529431Attachment 529432

A full series of pics I have taken to date are on Flickr

I had been debating whether my cold-start engine behavior was typical or a problem - here is a thread covering the topic and the feedback from the rest of the C5 community:

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=306996

Today I resolved the issue with the hesitation/bucking, and then installed the VMAX Ported Throttle Body. After solving the hesitation issue and getting both the new CAI and VMAX PTB installed, the car feels like it now literally LAUNCHES when I gun it. Seems night and day. I know a lot of people think it is impossible to tell the difference of a few HP, but like other posts, this is not about HP, it is about THROTTLE RESPONSE - there is no comparison before/after.

Also, long-overdue, here is a quick video of the NightOwl LED Halo Kit installed:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kjt0RbH1Byg

I also added some new pictures to the Flickr page that now show my default NightOwl LED setting.

In discussions with my chosen local speed shop to acquire and install the AGP Twin Turbo (TT) Kit. Hopefully this can get scheduled for a late August/early September timeframe...

Meanwhile, daily driving this great beast and one of the best parts of my day is driving it...