Daily driver mods? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BigV · 05-13-2013, 03:29 PM

Hi all. I'm picking up a CPO 2013 1LT this afternoon and wanted this community's opinions on daily driver mods. As I mentioned in my new member intro, I'm not looking to track or race my car, but to make it look, sound, and perform well for what I want to do with it; which is have a good looking and solidly performing daily driver. Most mod suggestions on this board point to a CAI, usually by CAI as the first mod for the car, along with some sort exhaust (axle or cat back, for better sound), as these would be the only real performance mods, save a catch can, that I would be considering given my intentions, are these performance mods really necessary; and will I notice a huge difference in performance if I make them?

Lastly, anyone know how Guaranty Chevrolet in Santa Ana is on warranty work if I make the mods listed above?

rsv07 · 05-13-2013, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV

Hi all. I'm picking up a CPO 2013 1LT this afternoon and wanted this community's opinions on daily driver mods. As I mentioned in my new member intro, I'm not looking to track or race my car, but to make it look, sound, and perform well for what I want to do with it; which is have a good looking and solidly performing daily driver. Most mod suggestions on this board point to a CAI, usually by CAI as the first mod for the car, along with some sort exhaust (axle or cat back, for better sound), as these would be the only real performance mods, save a catch can, that I would be considering given my intentions, are these performance mods really necessary; and will I notice a huge difference in performance if I make them?

Lastly, anyone know how Guaranty Chevrolet in Santa Ana is on warranty work if I make the mods listed above?

None of the above will void your warranty.

BigV · 05-13-2013, 03:47 PM

That's good to know and what I figured based upon past posts. Do you think I'll notice the improvements enough to validate the cost? Or would I be better off concentrating on aesthetics first (I know it's a personal preference kind of thing, but never having modded a car before, I'm not sure).

rsv07 · 05-13-2013, 03:53 PM

I thought the same thing initially. The CAI was immediately noticeable. Maybe not so much in the butt dyno (mine may not be calibrated correctly though

), but certainly in the sound.

TwentyTen2SSRS · 05-13-2013, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigV

That's good to know and what I figured based upon past posts. Do you think I'll notice the improvements enough to validate the cost? Or would I be better off concentrating on aesthetics first (I know it's a personal preference kind of thing, but never having modded a car before, I'm not sure).

I'm doing a mix of the both. I also have a V6 DD and love it. Mine is black, so I tinted the windows to 15%, blacked out all the emblems, plasti dipped the tail light bezels and smoked out the exterior lights (excepted head lights) with a smoke vinyl. Everything you can still see through just fine when lights are on (brake lights for example).

Also ordered CAI from CAI and will be doing MRT v.2 exhaust but that will most likely be the extent of my "performance" mods until my warranty is up..

I am going to get a front spltter and some side rockers, little update to factory sound and some interior lighting. Nothing too crazy and "cheaper" mods.

One thing I am looking at is getting a matte black vinyl wrap for my hood.

911medic · 05-13-2013, 06:01 PM

Mine's my DD, and I plan to do:

*CAI
*Axel back exhaust
*Ported TB
*Catch can/breather (done already)

Plus a bunch of cosmetic stuff...

Henry G. · 05-13-2013, 10:34 PM

Intake.
Exhaust.
Catch Can-right away!!
Synthetic oil in diff.
Same in transmission (if you were cool enough to get the manual.)
Tint those windows!!

Those are damn good starts. The dealer will tear a hole thru your wallet, find a reputable shop if you can to ease the pain. Also realize you probably ALREADY know more about your car than most dealer service advisers. Or more bluntly: most are total idiots. Go in there armed with knowledge, your best friend!

TwentyTen2SSRS · 05-13-2013, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry G.

Intake.
Exhaust.
Catch Can-right away!!
Synthetic oil in diff.
Same in transmission (if you were cool enough to get the manual.)
Tint those windows!!

Those are damn good starts. The dealer will tear a hole thru your wallet, find a reputable shop if you can to ease the pain. Also realize you probably ALREADY know more about your car than most dealer service advisers. Or more bluntly: most are total idiots. Go in there armed with knowledge, your best friend!

I still want to get a catch can. I only have about 800 miles, but have read on here people get a weird "hissing" noise after install?

Henry G. · 05-13-2013, 10:42 PM

Only if its installed wrong. Its literally a 15 minute install. SO EASY. When you do your first oil change and drain a couple ounces of black goo out of it that otherwise WOULD have go thru your intake you will be SO glad you got one.

TwentyTen2SSRS · 05-13-2013, 10:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry G.

Only if its installed wrong. Its literally a 15 minute install. SO EASY. When you do your first oil change and drain a couple ounces of black goo out of it that otherwise WOULD have go thru your intake you will be SO glad you got one.

Really? Which one do you have? It looked a little more in depth with cutting tubes and stuff, wouldn't want to mess anything up.

TwentyTen2SSRS · 05-13-2013, 10:51 PM

Also, does this void your warranty? I get free oil changes at the dealership I bought my car from, so on my first oil change they will see the can, and hoping that owoukdn't void my warranty or oil changes..

Aubrey64 · 05-13-2013, 11:00 PM

I have a CAI on my DD and I love it! I think that it is a great one to start with

yzark99 · 05-13-2013, 11:37 PM

Start with a PTB. So amazing I don't even want a CAI now.

TwentyTen2SSRS · 05-13-2013, 11:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yzark99

Start with a PTB. So amazing I don't even want a CAI now.

except that voids your warranty if I remember correctly..

05-13-2013, 03:29 PM	#1
BigV Drives: 2013 1LT AGM Join Date: May 2013 Location: Huntington Beach Posts: 9	Daily driver mods? Hi all. I'm picking up a CPO 2013 1LT this afternoon and wanted this community's opinions on daily driver mods. As I mentioned in my new member intro, I'm not looking to track or race my car, but to make it look, sound, and perform well for what I want to do with it; which is have a good looking and solidly performing daily driver. Most mod suggestions on this board point to a CAI, usually by CAI as the first mod for the car, along with some sort exhaust (axle or cat back, for better sound), as these would be the only real performance mods, save a catch can, that I would be considering given my intentions, are these performance mods really necessary; and will I notice a huge difference in performance if I make them? Lastly, anyone know how Guaranty Chevrolet in Santa Ana is on warranty work if I make the mods listed above?

05-13-2013, 06:01 PM	#6
911medic Drives: 2012 SIM 2LT/1970 Camaro Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Near Minneapolis, MN Posts: 1,578	Mine's my DD, and I plan to do: CAI Axel back exhaust Ported TB Catch can/breather (done already) Plus a bunch of cosmetic stuff... __________________ All bleeding stops eventually -- 2012 2LT Auto w/sunroof -- My journal thread Roto-Fab Intake & W/W Relocate Kit -- ADM Race Scoop -- Dynomax VT Axle-Back Exhaust -- Vitesse Throttle Controller RX Catch Can -- Drake Bowtie Delete -- JacFab Radio Face Cover -- LED Fog Lights -- LED Dome/Trunk/Plate Lights -- Gen5DIY Dash ABL -- Diode Dynamics Cupholder Lighting Wishlist: ACS T5 Splitter -- Hood Vent Mod -- Footwell/Door Pull/Homelink Button Lighting

05-13-2013, 10:34 PM	#7
Henry G. Drives: 2012 Camaro LFX,CAI,DynomaxVT,RX CC Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: So Cal Mtns Posts: 526	Intake. Exhaust. Catch Can-right away!! Synthetic oil in diff. Same in transmission (if you were cool enough to get the manual.) Tint those windows!! Those are damn good starts. The dealer will tear a hole thru your wallet, find a reputable shop if you can to ease the pain. Also realize you probably ALREADY know more about your car than most dealer service advisers. Or more bluntly: most are total idiots. Go in there armed with knowledge, your best friend! __________________ From my cold dead hands......

05-13-2013, 10:42 PM	#9
Henry G. Drives: 2012 Camaro LFX,CAI,DynomaxVT,RX CC Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: So Cal Mtns Posts: 526	Only if its installed wrong. Its literally a 15 minute install. SO EASY. When you do your first oil change and drain a couple ounces of black goo out of it that otherwise WOULD have go thru your intake you will be SO glad you got one. __________________ From my cold dead hands......

05-13-2013, 11:00 PM	#12
Aubrey64 Drives: 2010 Camaro LLT/RS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Plano, TX Posts: 2,685	I have a CAI on my DD and I love it! I think that it is a great one to start with __________________

05-13-2013, 03:47 PM	#3
BigV Drives: 2013 1LT AGM Join Date: May 2013 Location: Huntington Beach Posts: 9	That's good to know and what I figured based upon past posts. Do you think I'll notice the improvements enough to validate the cost? Or would I be better off concentrating on aesthetics first (I know it's a personal preference kind of thing, but never having modded a car before, I'm not sure).

05-13-2013, 03:53 PM	#4
rsv07 Drives: 2012 Camaro 2LT Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Orlando Florida Posts: 73 View My Garage	I thought the same thing initially. The CAI was immediately noticeable. Maybe not so much in the butt dyno (mine may not be calibrated correctly though ), but certainly in the sound.

05-13-2013, 10:51 PM	#11
TwentyTen2SSRS Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Seattle, WA Posts: 3,972 View My Garage	Also, does this void your warranty? I get free oil changes at the dealership I bought my car from, so on my first oil change they will see the can, and hoping that owoukdn't void my warranty or oil changes..

05-13-2013, 11:37 PM	#13
yzark99 I run 2 catch cans... Drives: 2012 1LT SIM Auto Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: OR there Posts: 1,038 View My Garage	Start with a PTB. So amazing I don't even want a CAI now. __________________ Overkill tuned • Air Scoop • CAI • VMAX PTB • JacFab Laminator FX + Extendolator • SOLO Hi-Flo Cats + Cat-Back Exhaust View my top 3 LFX performance mods and more: .