Some Recommendations

[IRAGEandQUIT]

New member here so hello everyone!

I have a 2012 SS2 RS L99 and finally started to tune it up a little bit. Recently I installed a KN intake and purchased a JET chip (got it cheap so figured why not) however I have a few ideas for the car but wanted some input from those with more experience.

1. JET chip any good?
2. Scrap the JET chip and get a tuner? If tuner, what do you recommend?
3. Exhaust. I was looking at Flowmaster 817495, what do you think? Headers and full exhaust are likely not something I will want to do to this particular vehicle but may if the price is right. Maybe cat or axle back.
4. Resinator, remove it or keep it?

Basically, I love the car and am very happy with it as is but I would like to get a few more HP's out of her as well as some nicer sounds from the exhaust.

If you have any other performance recommendations that are DIY please share them I have extensive knowledge of vehicles, have transplanted motors, transmissions, etc so I can do just about "everything" within reason.

[Mchlgrrsn]

Welcome to camaro5 first off. Chips ???? That's a blast from the past. Lol. Tuning does void your warranty so ill get that out of the way first. Camaros respond very well to a cold air intake and good exhaust system. These 2 mods are pretty much no brainers. You got the intake already, I would not tune it just yet, as I stated before tuning voids your warranty and I don't think the gains from just an intake is worth trading your warranty for. I would suggest you get a set of long tube headers, I personally like kooks but most headers do just about the same thing, so brand is not critical. After the headers are on then you should tune it. Now voiding your warranty is a fair trade.
Our cars LOVE headers
If you don't want headers I would not tune the car, just my opinion

[IRAGEandQUIT]

TBH I am not opposed to possibly voiding the warranty. Don't see why you cant just purchase a second used ECU and tune that then leave the original one stock should it ever be needed, or are the ECU's somehow VIN based and or have some verification/encryption based technology that prevents swapping them out?

I myself wouldn't be able to install a full exhaust where I live now unfortunately, I recently moved and lost a really nice garage setup where I could work. So a full on exhaust system installed would be more than I really want to spend at the moment.

Other than exhaust and air intake, what other performance mods can I do to get a bit more power?

[mikeyg36]

Originally Posted by IRAGEandQUIT

TBH I am not opposed to possibly voiding the warranty. Don't see why you cant just purchase a second used ECU and tune that then leave the original one stock should it ever be needed, or are the ECU's somehow VIN based and or have some verification/encryption based technology that prevents swapping them out?

I myself wouldn't be able to install a full exhaust where I live now unfortunately, I recently moved and lost a really nice garage setup where I could work. So a full on exhaust system installed would be more than I really want to spend at the moment.

Other than exhaust and air intake, what other performance mods can I do to get a bit more power?

Cam, heads, headers... BLOWER

[Mchlgrrsn]

There is no way around the whole CPU thing, it knows and remembers everything. A cam is a good upgrade, if you can install it yourself it won't hurt your wallet , MUCH. Lol. The cam you go with has a lot to do with how much headwork your willing to do do. A cam decision needs to be well thought out. You can drop different gears in, it wouldn't add horsepower but it will certainly perk things up a bit. Not terribly expensive, especially if you can do the work yourself . Both are labor intensive jobs.

Nitrous is a Big Bang for the buck

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by IRAGEandQUIT

TBH I am not opposed to possibly voiding the warranty. Don't see why you cant just purchase a second used ECU and tune that then leave the original one stock should it ever be needed, or are the ECU's somehow VIN based and or have some verification/encryption based technology that prevents swapping them out?

I myself wouldn't be able to install a full exhaust where I live now unfortunately, I recently moved and lost a really nice garage setup where I could work. So a full on exhaust system installed would be more than I really want to spend at the moment.

Other than exhaust and air intake, what other performance mods can I do to get a bit more power?

You can't swap ECMs. There's no way around voiding your warranty.

[IRAGEandQUIT]

Well it seems for performance upgrades the next step would be exhaust. I like the Flowmaster axle/cat back system in black as it will stealth itself and from the video's sounds nice however there are so many different makes/models I am not sure what to get so if anyone has any recommendations that would be great.

Reading around it seems many are happy with this cat back kit - http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=245066

What about resonator delete?

Still trying to get the general idea round the different sound terms (raspy I know I am not a far of ). I don't want something super loud and obnoxious either.

[SPCBA]

anything behind the cats offer no performance upgrade aside from some weight loss.
it does make your car sound loads better.

intake headers tune just like everyone else has already said is the starting point for power increases. suspension a whole new story. we have some pretty awesome vendors here like apex, southwest speed, maryland speed to name a few.

[axis]

The one you linked isn't a flowmaster, it's a JBA 3in catback. It is definitely going to be loud. A catback will delete the OEM resonator so that's not an issue. If you're looking performance, you may want to look elsewhere first. Swapping exhausts yields little to nothing in terms of HP performance. It does yield a increase in sound performance though. Also know that unless you deal with AFM, a aftermarket exhaust is only going to magnify it.

[IRAGEandQUIT]

First post - "I was looking at Flowmaster 817495".

I have a friend at the dealership, maybe he can disable AFM for me? If not, a diablo or trinity is the way to go?

[axis]

Originally Posted by IRAGEandQUIT

First post - "I was looking at Flowmaster 817495".

I have a friend at the dealership, maybe he can disable AFM for me? If not, a diablo or trinity is the way to go?

Dealership won't, the others will.

[litle88]

Since your an L99 and want a catback you'll need a tune to disable that AFM crap because you will be sounding like fart cans and will sound ridiculously dumb lol.

So get a set of headers I prefer kooks if it doesn't fit your budget get a set that does and is a 1 7/8's or bigger like a 2". Up to you if you want cats or not, I always get rid of them.

Then the exhaust of your choice, I have the 3" Chokemaster catback system and I love it, I suggest you dump the K&N and get you a Rotofab or Haltech they are plastic and have bigger tubes. Avoid the metal intake tubes.

Finally get it properly tuned by a reputable LsX tuner and you'll be one happy owner. Drive it like that for the summer then if you are ready for a RACECAR come on back for more advise.

[BplumCrazy-SS]

I agree with Little a tune is a must with the L99(auto) it really wakes up BUT make sure it is a good tuner. If you dont have a good shop around you they have a few sponsors here that do mail order tunes.

[t&t moyer]

OP, where in NY are you?