Cpanthers85 Build Thread

[Cpanthers85]

I took ownership of my 2011 IBM 2SS/RS A6 (L99) in July of 2011. I saw on here that the IBM was going to be discontinued, so I decided now was the time to buy if I wanted a Blue Camaro. There was only two IBM left in the whole Phoenix area and I didn't want to have one built, so I went down to Henry Brown Chevrolet in Casa Grande. Here's a picture on "D" Day:



After owning the car for two months, I purchased the American Thunder Flowmaster Catback.

I added some Chrome Grills too:


In October 2011, I purchased Kooks Long Tube Step Headers and a CAI/CAI( with Scoop) with a SCT Tuner/JRE Tune.

Here's a picture of the headers:



Headers Installed:



Added GM Strut Tower Brace (I also removed the engine cover) December 2011:



Later that month, the Mod bug bit... HARD...

I bought an Edelbrock E-force Kit with a 3.5 Pulley, ZL1 Fuel Pump, ZL1 Spark Plugs, and a Roto-Fab Cold Air Intake.

Later that week, I had the ZL1 Fuel Pump installed, and why they were doing that I added the Pfadt Drag 1 Suspension Kit+ Front Sway.




While I waited for the E-Force to be shipped, in April 2012, I decided to purchase the L99 to LS3 (LS9?) Conversion.

• LS9 Cam. Specs: 211/230 .558/.552 122.5 LSA
• LS9 Valve Springs.
• Lingenfelter LS3 Conversion Kit.
• 160 Degree Thermostat.
• ZR1 Head Gasket.

In May 2012 I bought the updated valve cover for the L99 and a Rx Catch Can.

I also just purchased a set of 60# injectors for the E-Force.

Mods to date Performance:

• Kooks Long Tube Step Headers
• Extreme Racing Tune
• Race Scoop
• American Thunder Flowmaster Catback
• Edelbrock E-force Kit
• ZL1 Fuel Pump
• ZL1 Spark Plugs
• Roto-Fab Cold Air Intake for E-Force
• 3.5 Pulley
• Pfadt Drag 1 Suspension Kit
• Front Sway
• LS9 Cam.
• LS9 Valve Springs.
• Lingenfelter LS3 Conversion Kit.
• 160 Degree Thermostat.
• ZR1 Head Gasket
• valve cover
• Rx Catch Can
• 60# E-Force Injectors
• ARP Head Studs

For Looks:

• GM Strut Tower Brace
• Chrome Gills
• Heritage Grill

11/7/2012: DYNO TUNE

I went to Xtreme Motorsports in Tempe, AZ. 523HP/495TQ -- Mild tune on 91 octane.

[pierre777]

Sounds like it's going to be a great build ,looks like your at the right track and know what you want ,I think you should get that strut brace to lupe overhaulengines to get it painted and written on ,I painted the sides and wrapped the center part with carbon fiber vinyl you can check it out in my build, good luck with the build .

[My 5th]

Good luck with your stock axles. You might need some 1000 HP units if those Drag Radials really hook up. Looks like a lot of fun.

[My 5th]

I think the "play" you're referring to is the standard issue Driveline Clunk that comes on almost all M6 Camaros. Supposedly, the clunk is designed in by GM. Why, I'll never know. If the clunk is considered "normal" then it must have been intentionally designed into the car. That means someone must know exactly what it is that causes the clunk, but they aren't telling us for some reason. I suspect it's a combination of too much backlash in the ring and pinion spec, or the tolerance in the spider gears and the axles, or both. I wonder if the noise persists even if you put in a 9" differential.

[Cpanthers85]

Originally Posted by My 5th

I think the "play" you're referring to is the standard issue Driveline Clunk that comes on almost all M6 Camaros. Supposedly, the clunk is designed in by GM. Why, I'll never know. If the clunk is considered "normal" then it must have been intentionally designed into the car. That means someone must know exactly what it is that causes the clunk, but they aren't telling us for some reason. I suspect it's a combination of too much backlash in the ring and pinion spec, or the tolerance in the spider gears and the axles, or both. I wonder if the noise persists even if you put in a 9" differential.

I have an Auto, but it was awfully alarming. My 79 has about as much play as my 2011, and you'd think the 2011 should be tight... I can move the wheel about an 1in in each direction. I am going to change the fluid this weekend and I should be able to get a good feel to see what kinda wear and tear is going on once I take the magnets out. Glad to know I'm not the only one, though...

[Cpanthers85]

Bumped. Added Some install pics. We are making some progress. So far the Heads are off. Cam is out. All the AFM/VVT crap is off. We still need to change the motor mounts and install the intercooler before she starts going back together. Problem is that shes only getting attention on Saturdays. Seems like its taking months to do.

[audiomikej]

Love the build! Glad to know there is someone out there building a camaro that is super powerful yet still street friendly.

[376LS3]

When I come home, (Mesa, Az) in February-ish, maybe we can meet up. Id like to see your car. Ive never been in a blown one!!

[Cpanthers85]

Originally Posted by 376LS3

When I come home, (Mesa, Az) in February-ish, maybe we can meet up. Id like to see your car. Ive never been in a blown one!!

Absolutely. Let me know... I will prob be at the Pavs or out at Firebird with it almost every weekend until the heat rears it's ugly head.

Return home safe!

[Cpanthers85]

Bump. Updated pics.

[Cpanthers85]

After months of waiting, we are finally complete!!!! Updated with Dyno Vids and Start up vids.

[376LS3]

Hey man,
When you took the heads off, did you take them down to be mic'd or did you just put them back on? I was always told with aluminium heads they had to be worked before reinstalling to make sure they are not warped. I need to change out my lifters but have been waiting for when I do my 418ci, but they took away our overtime so all thats on the backburner now. Still wanna check out your car, (I posted above) Are you going to Pavs this Saturday? Its Camaro night.

Adam

[Cpanthers85]

Originally Posted by 376LS3

Hey man,
When you took the heads off, did you take them down to be mic'd or did you just put them back on? I was always told with aluminium heads they had to be worked before reinstalling to make sure they are not warped. I need to change out my lifters but have been waiting for when I do my 418ci, but they took away our overtime so all thats on the backburner now. Still wanna check out your car, (I posted above) Are you going to Pavs this Saturday? Its Camaro night.

Adam

Hey Adam,

I didn't have the heads mic'd. The only changes that I made were the springs, so I scrubbed off the glue from the bottom of them from the old gasket and cleaned them out really well with brake/carb cleaner. I didn't change the valves and I used the LS9 Cam, so the lift wasn't high enough to worry about. If I would have had the heads machined, I probably would have gotten them ported and went with a different set of valves. I guess it's kind of the cheap way of going around it... I'd recommend the ARP head studs, instead of the TTY bolts and the LS9 head gasket (9 layer) if you go blown.

Not sure if I am heading up to the Pavs... I usually go with my Dad or one of my friends who has a Shelby, and the guy with the Shelby hates Camaro night. LOL I will see if they are interested.

I am dying to do a 418 build. If my comission hadn't sucked this year, I probably would have done it.

I will let you know if I go, though.

Dan

[376LS3]

Cool man! Thanks for the response! Im not 100% on going to Pavs even though Im supposed to meet someone there to sell a part. I just typically go up to Kmart with my dad and his 69 Z. I havent talked to him in a couple days so Im not sure of his plans yet. I like Kmart because its a whole lot closer and you dont have arrogant assholes revving there engines to try and prove a point. Definitely let me know if youre gonna make one of those cruise ins. Id like to check out your car.

Adam