Improving suspension to put more crank to wheels - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

F-16 Camaro · 12-06-2013, 10:02 PM

So right now I have a stock 2010 2SS. I'd like to put more power to the wheels, so naturally I have been looking at:

CAI
LT/HF Cats
Tune

But I'm worried about voiding my power train warranty.

So I was thinking. Crank for an LS3 is around 426-429hp right?

But at the wheels it's around 370-375, as you are losing power through the drive train and suspension. So what can I do to increase my efficiency?

Way I see it, if I can get my RWHP closer to 400, without voiding my warranty, that would be win-win?

Thoughts? Is this feasible?

Apex Motorsports · 12-07-2013, 08:30 AM

You can reduce parasitic loss a little but through suspension/chassis upgrades (mostly you will notice more responsiveness not actual HP) but you have to keep in mind that a lot of it is in the drivetrain itself. Every component that power is transmitted through creates a small amount of drag and addressing that will probably be a more cost effective approach. Look at upgrading you engine, trans, and differential fluids to performance synthetics. You will be surprised how big of a difference that can make for a couple hundred dollars.

The Stig · 12-07-2013, 08:39 AM

Tune will void your warranty, just FYI

Bo White · 12-07-2013, 09:32 AM

You can apply power more effeciently with suspension mods for quicker ETs but actual dyno #s will not change.

Synner · 12-07-2013, 10:27 AM

Lightweight clutch would get rid of 10-15lbs, Gforce driveshaft loses 10lbs, Lightweight wheels 5-10lbs per corner, Racing brake rotors a few lbs.

Personally I would just do the bolt-ons and a tune. You can always do the other stuff too if you want to burn some cash, or mix and match.

The Stig · 12-07-2013, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synner

Lightweight clutch would get rid of 10-15lbs, Gforce driveshaft loses 10lbs, Lightweight wheels 5-10lbs per corner, Racing brake rotors a few lbs.

Personally I would just do the bolt-ons and a tune. You can always do the other stuff too if you want to burn some cash, or mix and match.

Racing Brake rotors aren't just a few pounds - they're 22 pounds.

Synner · 12-07-2013, 02:08 PM

Clearly I was making a list that was stating savings not total weight.

F-16 Camaro · 12-08-2013, 03:14 AM

Yeah I'm aware tune will void the powertrain, hence my attempt at being more efficient with the crank output.

Thanks Chase for explaining that to me.

I'm really kicking myself for paying for an extended warranty, not realizing that I was going to quickly want to mod the car...

F-16 Camaro · 12-08-2013, 03:14 AM

Maybe I'll try to cut the warranty short? I know it's a prorated refund when you sell the car, not sure why I couldn't just do the same voluntarily...

Apex Motorsports · 12-08-2013, 09:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F-16 Camaro

Maybe I'll try to cut the warranty short? I know it's a prorated refund when you sell the car, not sure why I couldn't just do the same voluntarily...

You should be able to cancel it.

F-16 Camaro · 12-12-2013, 10:39 PM

Is it evil that if I do get a pro-rated refund I will put the money towards mods!??

Apex Motorsports · 12-13-2013, 06:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F-16 Camaro

Is it evil that if I do get a pro-rated refund I will put the money towards mods!??

Not at all. In fact, it seems like the logical thing to do.

Ryan87mets · 12-13-2013, 11:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by F-16 Camaro

Yeah I'm aware tune will void the powertrain, hence my attempt at being more efficient with the crank output.

Thanks Chase for explaining that to me.

I'm really kicking myself for paying for an extended warranty, not realizing that I was going to quickly want to mod the car...

same here i have a 5 year warranty on mine =[

The Stig · 12-13-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Synner

Clearly I was making a list that was stating savings not total weight.

No - they are 22 pounds lighter than the OEM rotors. That's what I meant in my post. It's 22 pounds of savings.

12-06-2013, 10:02 PM	#1
F-16 Camaro Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Black Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 608 View My Garage	Improving suspension to put more crank to wheels So right now I have a stock 2010 2SS. I'd like to put more power to the wheels, so naturally I have been looking at: CAI LT/HF Cats Tune But I'm worried about voiding my power train warranty. So I was thinking. Crank for an LS3 is around 426-429hp right? But at the wheels it's around 370-375, as you are losing power through the drive train and suspension. So what can I do to increase my efficiency? Way I see it, if I can get my RWHP closer to 400, without voiding my warranty, that would be win-win? Thoughts? Is this feasible?

12-07-2013, 08:30 AM	#2
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,179	You can reduce parasitic loss a little but through suspension/chassis upgrades (mostly you will notice more responsiveness not actual HP) but you have to keep in mind that a lot of it is in the drivetrain itself. Every component that power is transmitted through creates a small amount of drag and addressing that will probably be a more cost effective approach. Look at upgrading you engine, trans, and differential fluids to performance synthetics. You will be surprised how big of a difference that can make for a couple hundred dollars. Last edited by Apex Motorsports; 12-07-2013 at 09:41 AM.

12-07-2013, 08:39 AM	#3
The Stig knows 2 facts about ducks Drives: ...and they're both wrong Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The HMS Invincible Posts: 25,072 View My Garage	Tune will void your warranty, just FYI __________________

12-07-2013, 09:32 AM	#4
Bo White Drives: 2015 Summit White 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Vance Alabama Posts: 8,018	You can apply power more effeciently with suspension mods for quicker ETs but actual dyno #s will not change. __________________ Retired wanna be cylinder head porter 2015 2SS 1LE Clutch reservoir, Vararam DRX, ported TB, TSP 2" headers, MGW shifter Totalled: 2010 1SS Wilkes Performance/Eagle 416 shortblock, TSP custom valvetrain, PRC 260 heads, Edelbrock Pro Flo 102, th400 swap, 8" PTC 5500 stall= 535/435 at the wheels tuned Gen 3 Performance and Dyno 10.97 @ 124 full weight in 3100 DA CamaroFest X

12-07-2013, 10:27 AM	#5
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,544	Lightweight clutch would get rid of 10-15lbs, Gforce driveshaft loses 10lbs, Lightweight wheels 5-10lbs per corner, Racing brake rotors a few lbs. Personally I would just do the bolt-ons and a tune. You can always do the other stuff too if you want to burn some cash, or mix and match.

12-07-2013, 02:08 PM	#7
Synner Drives: cars Join Date: May 2011 Location: Oversneeze Posts: 4,544	Clearly I was making a list that was stating savings not total weight.

12-08-2013, 03:14 AM	#8
F-16 Camaro Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Black Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 608 View My Garage	Yeah I'm aware tune will void the powertrain, hence my attempt at being more efficient with the crank output. Thanks Chase for explaining that to me. I'm really kicking myself for paying for an extended warranty, not realizing that I was going to quickly want to mod the car...

12-12-2013, 10:39 PM	#11
F-16 Camaro Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Black Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Alamogordo, NM Posts: 608 View My Garage	Is it evil that if I do get a pro-rated refund I will put the money towards mods!??