The how do I transform a new SS into a new Z28 thread...

[The other panic]

Well, here we are, Z28 model won't be officially distributed by GM over here (EU), they've decided that the SS V8 model will make happy enough the average european and that both ZL1 and Z28 models would be too much american muscle for this side of the pond...

Sooo, it's about a few days now I'm studying the possibility to buy a (manual) SS and turn it into an as close as possible Z28 myself.

Let's see what we can see here, first two main directions:

1) Drop weight.

2) Increase power.

---

The drop weight territory main takes:

Change headers and exhaust system.
Dump 20' heavy OEM wheels and get some forged 18/19'.
Drop back seats, fit new race buckets front.
Carbon (gutted) doors.
Lexan back glass.
Dump A/C and ancillaries.
Drop front and rear steel crash bars.
Put in coilovers.
Lightweight front and rear brakes.

Plus a few bits and pieces here and there (drop wash bottle, new race battery, dump tire repair kit, among others).

Increase power (without ending up on food stamp program...)

Headers+plus full decatted exhaust.
CAI
Tuning.
3.9 gears.

---
Questions:

What's the best headers for sound and power.

Can I buy directly from GM its 3.9 gears used on Z28's and other perf applications?

Wheels/tires, where I find a combo of 18/19' already with the proper offsets and BS for the SS without getting mad calculating these figures myself for the new measures (and ending buying the wrong sets...)?

Who would modify my electr sending the box to them and giving all the info to make the mods directly on the box, I think Hennesy proposes to send them the box to work on, will that work? I can't trust anybody around here to play with my future Camaro.

Best coilovers set?

Best small brake kit to fit smaller wheels but still capable of saving myself from falling off a cliff?

Well, I think that's a good start and the above sums up quite a few things right now.

Thanks for the informations, comments (if I need to wear a flame suit because of the ss into Z28 thingy please let me know before you start tossing heavy fire this side of the pond...) and takes you'd be so kind to write up here.

[Jeff_SS]

Good luck with that..


Kooks headers >
And order from Apex Chase.

[axis]

The ONLY way to reach Z28 power is to go BIG cam or FI. No two ways about it.

What is the intended use of this "transformed" car?

[jordi cami]

Muy buenas...Tio te gastaras mas que comprando un zl1 o z28.
Hi this project is more expensive than buy zl1 or z28 and never have the same performance and ride quality than this models

[jordi cami]

Best coilovers pfdat or pedders. I have pedders and love this. Bmr sways.
Cai inductions with scoop. Custom tune .Obx headers and magnaflow 3".

[The other panic]

Originally Posted by jordi cami

Muy buenas...Tio te gastaras mas que comprando un zl1 o z28.
Hi this project is more expensive than buy zl1 or z28 and never have the same performance and ride quality than this models

Hola.

The matter is that you won't find a Z28 over here through a GM dealer and I'm not very confident to buy a 70.000+ Euro car to somebody I do not know...

BTW I'm not trying to make a Z28 clone, the project is to get a nice and clean new SS, drop a couple hundreds kgs from it and to increase its power by a meaty 10%.

[jordi cami]

Ok. The ss is a great car. But it's heavy. My car change with my mods and performance with coilovers are incredible.

[jordi cami]

I try with many cars but i compared my car modded with panamera gts and win in all situations

[Scott@Bjorn3D]

Can you get a SS with the 1LE option? That would get you close then do engine mods and change wheels.

[The other panic]

Originally Posted by Scott@Bjorn3D

Can you get a SS with the 1LE option? That would get you close then do engine mods and change wheels.

Nop, there is no 1LE option either, that's another pain in the ...

The only option is metallic paint and Recaro seats...

[jordi cami]

Jajaja spain is different

[amerimuscle]

well JRE would be your best bet for long distance tuning as hes spot on with email tunes. and if you want a true Z28 clone, you may wanna look into selling your LS3 engine and try to get your paws on a 7.0L LS7. The suspension components of the Z28 are second to none so itll be difficult to imitate that.

LS7 + JRE tune with a full gutting.

dunno how deep your pockets are though this wont be cheap. but your tryin to clone a $$$$$$$ car

[SSDan]

OP do you have a way to buy GM performance parts? Many of the suspension and brake parts for the 1LE option and/or ZR1 are available as bolt on replacements for SS parts. This includes the 3.91 rear gear. I ordered the gear set directly from a Chevy dealer.

And you don't need to swap engines to get LS7 power. The cam/bolt-on package I put on my LS3 added 22% more HP at the wheels which is more than a stock LS7 will make.

I'd say if you upgrade where you can with GM performance parts (or go with some quality aftermarket parts from Pfadt, Pedders, BMR - etc), drop a little weight, get some headers and cold air intake (plus a cam if you can swing it), get a good tune - it won't be a z28 clone but it will be a ride that will take care of business. It will have plenty of power and handle very well.

[Unrulie]

Is it possible to buy the car you want from Becky @ Rogers Chevrolet here in the USA. and have it shipped Spain? http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=43480