Just bought a camaro first time mods - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

jesse121pm · 11-04-2021, 11:10 PM

Hey everyone I just bought a 2012 camaro 2ss 45th anniversary edition. It already has a straight pipe and k&n intake when i bought it. I need some first time mods to give me some more power. I am always on this fourm and I know you guys have really good advice. Thank you (Btw its a 6 speed manual with LS3)

joekono · 11-04-2021, 11:43 PM

Congrats on your purchase and welcome. There are MANY people here that can give you great advice on getting that beautiful Gen 5 rollin with more horses. I just like crusin with my girl and trying to keep swirls and scratches off the car. So, if i can give you any advice, because it's a 45th edition, keep her lookin good(that shouldn't be too hard).

Ashen 6.2 · 11-05-2021, 04:55 AM

Congrats & welcome!

Greenhornet2 · 11-05-2021, 08:18 AM

First steps are intake headers tune. Not sure how the K&N's work I sold the one that came with my car and bout a CAI intake much better for cold air. speed engineering headers work pretty well for cheap money, I do recommend getting them coated. Jannetty charged me $300 to have them coated inside and out.
3.91 gears make a big performance difference. lower control arms and trailing arms are good when you start getting wheel hop. Cradle bushings if you still have hop after the arms.
Beyond that you will start looking at a cam, or FI or both. Heads flow amazingly well on these so that is far down on the list of mods.

Moto-Mojo · 11-05-2021, 08:46 AM

Another Christmas the kids will go without while dad’s Camaro gets the goodies!

Congrats. T’is a healthy addiction. Well, sorta.

Axe55 · 11-05-2021, 09:43 AM

Welcome and congrats! I'd recommend the long tube headers and a tune as a starting point. Also, the LTs make the car sound so good, after doing them I wish I had done them the day I bought the car. The trailing arms, toe rods and cradle bushings (solid or inserts) are also good because they help eliminate wheel hop. None of those are that expensive or hard to install either.

After that, if you've been browsing the forums, you know the sky's the limit!

CamaroCracka · 11-05-2021, 10:00 AM

As said, headers for sure. Tunes are less necessary for M6 cars, but you would pick up a few hp.

What are you going to use it for, drag racing, auto cross, road course?

Depending on the miles it might need some suspension upgrades. It will definitely benefit from 1LE sway bars and radius arm inserts. AmericanMuscle had the Whiteline inserts for $20 about a week ago. Factory bars are cheap if you can still get them. If it has a lot of miles, it might be a good time for new shocks.

Some might say cam, but if you think you will end up going forced induction, I would wait until you do that to choose a cam.

Not many guys still running nitrous, but that is a quick way to knock a second or more off your ET.

Then there are tires...

1JEWLDSSRS · 11-05-2021, 10:41 AM

Awesome sir!! Welcome to the family of FINE Camaro folks!! The first thing you are gonna want to do is plant 2 money trees, one for you and one for your girlfriend/wife!! Lots of cool mods you can do with these Camaro's. For performance as mentioned, LT's and a tune will get you going in the right direction. Then depending on what the car is going to be mostly used for, the sky is the limit!! Enjoy that awesome Camaro...

Trawz · 11-05-2021, 11:06 AM

Like everyone has said: Intake, Exhaust, Headers, & Tune.
Those tend to be the default "go-to" things that everyone does and benefits the car in all cases.

Mine also came with a K&N Blackhawk intake and it works alright, but I'm looking at switching out to a CAI one.

Long tube headers wake up the LS and are pretty much a "must do". You will need a tune to get the most from them and especially if you delete the cats.

If you want more volume, get yourself a cat-back exhaust system. Plenty out there!

Another simple and cheap mod would be a oil catch can.

Moto-Mojo · 11-05-2021, 11:06 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1JEWLDSSRS

Awesome sir!! Welcome to the family of FINE Camaro folks!! The first thing you are gonna want to do is plant 2 money trees, one for you and one for your girlfriend/wife!! Lots of cool mods you can do with these Camaro's. For performance as mentioned, LT's and a tune will get you going in the right direction. Then depending on what the car is going to be mostly used for, the sky is the limit!! Enjoy that awesome Camaro...

Or just move to California, where just owning a dino-fueled Camaro will be a felony someday soon. You can use what you save on mods for legal representation!

Aqua Blue RS/SS · 11-05-2021, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moto-Mojo

Or just move to California, where just owning a dino-fueled Camaro will be a felony someday soon. You can use what you save on mods for legal representation!

And Gas

sscamaro · 11-05-2021, 11:37 AM

Definitely LT headers are a must, 40-50 HP can be gained with a dyno tune. I gained 216 HP with the mods listed below. I don't care for am changes because the car never drives the same.

jcampos · 11-06-2021, 08:24 PM

Get LT's, CAI, high rise intake manifold, a huge TB, ported or racing heads and a fatass cam paired with gears and suspension work and put down mid 500's on a NA build

morepowerjoe · 11-07-2021, 01:06 AM

I agree with most others have said. Long tubes, cold air intake (I use Cold Air Inductions), and a dyno tune for the most power you can get. And then if you are not satisfied with the power increase go to a cam next. But I definitely like the way long tubes and a tune feel.

11-04-2021, 11:10 PM	#1
jesse121pm Drives: 2012 Camaro 2ss 45th anniversary Join Date: Nov 2021 Location: Ohio Posts: 88 View My Garage	Just bought a camaro first time mods Hey everyone I just bought a 2012 camaro 2ss 45th anniversary edition. It already has a straight pipe and k&n intake when i bought it. I need some first time mods to give me some more power. I am always on this fourm and I know you guys have really good advice. Thank you (Btw its a 6 speed manual with LS3)

11-04-2021, 11:43 PM	#2
joekono Drives: Camaro Convertible 2014 1LT Join Date: May 2019 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,013 View My Garage	Congrats on your purchase and welcome. There are MANY people here that can give you great advice on getting that beautiful Gen 5 rollin with more horses. I just like crusin with my girl and trying to keep swirls and scratches off the car. So, if i can give you any advice, because it's a 45th edition, keep her lookin good(that shouldn't be too hard). __________________

11-05-2021, 04:55 AM	#3
Ashen 6.2 Drives: 2014 Camaro Z/SS Join Date: May 2014 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 2,000 View My Garage	Congrats & welcome! __________________ 2014 Camaro SS L99, Ashen Grey w/Black Leather - Build thread - http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=491561 Mods - GPI 416 w/Custom Grind Cam, Ported Heads & Tuned by Ben, Holley Dominator ECU, Mag Heartbeat, ZL1 Fuel Pump & DSX Aux Pump, NW 103 TB, FIC 1650's, Alky Meth, Circle D 3600 Triple Disc, Kooks Headers, Viking Coil Overs & all the BMR Goodies in the rear, Zl1 3.23 Diff, DSS Axles, Gulfcoast Driveshaft, Hendrix Offset Diff Bushings, AFE Solid Subframe Bushings, 875HP/843TQ 5FDP

11-05-2021, 08:18 AM	#4
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	First steps are intake headers tune. Not sure how the K&N's work I sold the one that came with my car and bout a CAI intake much better for cold air. speed engineering headers work pretty well for cheap money, I do recommend getting them coated. Jannetty charged me $300 to have them coated inside and out. 3.91 gears make a big performance difference. lower control arms and trailing arms are good when you start getting wheel hop. Cradle bushings if you still have hop after the arms. Beyond that you will start looking at a cam, or FI or both. Heads flow amazingly well on these so that is far down on the list of mods. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

11-05-2021, 08:46 AM	#5
Moto-Mojo Fast Cars and Old Guitars Drives: 2015 2SS RS (L99, baby!) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: N. CA Posts: 3,974	Another Christmas the kids will go without while dad’s Camaro gets the goodies! Congrats. T’is a healthy addiction. Well, sorta. __________________ “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” - Groucho Marx

11-05-2021, 09:43 AM	#6
Axe55 Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 159	Welcome and congrats! I'd recommend the long tube headers and a tune as a starting point. Also, the LTs make the car sound so good, after doing them I wish I had done them the day I bought the car. The trailing arms, toe rods and cradle bushings (solid or inserts) are also good because they help eliminate wheel hop. None of those are that expensive or hard to install either. After that, if you've been browsing the forums, you know the sky's the limit! __________________ 2012 Camaro SS LS3, JRE Scoop, CAI intake, Whipple Supercharger, Fast 85lb injectors, ZL1 pump, McLeod RXT clutch, MGW shifter, Stainless Power 1 7/8 headers w/HFC, Ridetech coilovers, BMR sway bars, trailing arms, toe rods, cradle bushing inserts, 2020 Speed Tuned.

11-05-2021, 10:00 AM	#7
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,736	As said, headers for sure. Tunes are less necessary for M6 cars, but you would pick up a few hp. What are you going to use it for, drag racing, auto cross, road course? Depending on the miles it might need some suspension upgrades. It will definitely benefit from 1LE sway bars and radius arm inserts. AmericanMuscle had the Whiteline inserts for $20 about a week ago. Factory bars are cheap if you can still get them. If it has a lot of miles, it might be a good time for new shocks. Some might say cam, but if you think you will end up going forced induction, I would wait until you do that to choose a cam. Not many guys still running nitrous, but that is a quick way to knock a second or more off your ET. Then there are tires... __________________ 2010 SS - On3 kit with downpipe cutout, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.

11-05-2021, 10:41 AM	#8
1JEWLDSSRS Drives: 2011 SS-RS Join Date: May 2011 Location: FLORIDA Posts: 11,442	Awesome sir!! Welcome to the family of FINE Camaro folks!! The first thing you are gonna want to do is plant 2 money trees, one for you and one for your girlfriend/wife!! Lots of cool mods you can do with these Camaro's. For performance as mentioned, LT's and a tune will get you going in the right direction. Then depending on what the car is going to be mostly used for, the sky is the limit!! Enjoy that awesome Camaro... __________________ TSP STAGE 3 CAM,231/246 @112 LSA 614/641 LIFT, CIRCLE D 5C-4200-4500 CONVERTER,LOD INTAKE.CORSA EXHAUST. DSS 1 PC DS. PEGASUS SOLID CRADLE MOUNTS. 486RWHP/475RWTQ.LOTS MORE.

11-05-2021, 11:06 AM	#9
Trawz Drives: 2013 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Portland, OR Posts: 243 View My Garage	Like everyone has said: Intake, Exhaust, Headers, & Tune. Those tend to be the default "go-to" things that everyone does and benefits the car in all cases. Mine also came with a K&N Blackhawk intake and it works alright, but I'm looking at switching out to a CAI one. Long tube headers wake up the LS and are pretty much a "must do". You will need a tune to get the most from them and especially if you delete the cats. If you want more volume, get yourself a cat-back exhaust system. Plenty out there! Another simple and cheap mod would be a oil catch can. __________________ 2013 1SS/1LE Corsa Extreme cat-back, Speed Engineering LT Headers with black ceramic coating, C7 Z06 Front Brake Upgrade, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, BMR Tunnel Brace, Mishimoto Oil Catch Can, MSD Plug Wires, Mishimoto Radiator and Hoses.

11-05-2021, 11:37 AM	#12
sscamaro Drives: 2010 2SS, 2017 Silverado LTZ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denver,PA Posts: 3,195 View My Garage	Definitely LT headers are a must, 40-50 HP can be gained with a dyno tune. I gained 216 HP with the mods listed below. I don't care for am changes because the car never drives the same. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS Victory Red, MN6, 1-7/8 Kooks LT Headers, SLP Axle Back, Edelbrock E-Force S/C, ZL1 Fuel Pump, 72# Injectors, JRE fuel rail upgrade, Roto-Fab CAI, Elite Catch Can, Billet Hurst Shifter, DSS 1000HP axles, Spohn Trailing Arms, Toe Links, Lower Control Arms. Chrome American Racing Torq-Thrust wheels. 546/rwhp & 522/rwtq & 10.9# boost Tune by Jeremy Formato.

11-06-2021, 08:24 PM	#13
jcampos Drives: 2014 Chevy Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: San Antonio Posts: 821	Get LT's, CAI, high rise intake manifold, a huge TB, ported or racing heads and a fatass cam paired with gears and suspension work and put down mid 500's on a NA build

11-07-2021, 01:06 AM	#14
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,109	I agree with most others have said. Long tubes, cold air intake (I use Cold Air Inductions), and a dyno tune for the most power you can get. And then if you are not satisfied with the power increase go to a cam next. But I definitely like the way long tubes and a tune feel. __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817