Dumb/naive purchases - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BEASSTING · 12-29-2013, 06:52 AM

In an attempt to get more horsepower from our cars I'm sure we've all made some dumb or naive aftermarket purchases over the years. Dynos and forums like this have made things a lil less trial and error, lol. So what's yours?
The one that I still laugh at the most was when I bought something called a "air foil" for my 96 Impala. It cost $60 at the time and claimed 6-7 rwhp. It was basically a piece of metal that went in front of the throttlebody to straighten out the air flow. Not a lot of money, but I remember being so excited to put it on and take the car for a spin...and I felt absolutely NOTHING!!!! Too funny!!! I found a picture of it online!

el ess A · 12-29-2013, 07:42 AM

Wasted money on this POS. Might have worked if I was modifying the car to no end, but I jumped on the bandwagon with a bunch of other mis-informed, new-to-LS1 car owners. Otherwise stock car, this was a huge waste of time/money. Sold it and got most of my money back out of it so it wasn't a horrible outcome.

BEASSTING · 12-29-2013, 08:06 AM

Haha, Granetelli Motorsports! I forgot about them! Almost bought one & a Hypertech Power Programmer! Then my cousin bought a WS6 Trans Am and after we raced I knew anything short of nitrous would've been a waste of time.

shaky bones · 12-29-2013, 08:14 AM

I bought a Cusco brake master cylinder stopper for my S15, it is supposed to prevent the brake master cylinder from flexing under heavy use and provide a better feel and even improved braking. So I spent my $150 thinking it would do anything.

Of course also the typical useless bull crap most import owners buy. Turbo Timers - biggest con job on the planet. Aftermarket Blow Off Valves - Factory one is usually fine.

Sorry not Camaro related but still hundreds of dollars down the drain.

Could be worse someone could consider buying one of these:
http://youtu.be/cbGWgvJN1_8

Trob85 · 12-29-2013, 08:22 AM

I admit to buying that tornado thing you were supposed to put in your intake it added hp fuel mileage blah blah blah I was still in high school so I was that kid put stupid parts in your car you would have thought I put in a 102mm turbo.

woodstock · 12-29-2013, 08:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trob85

I admit to buying that tornado thing you were supposed to put in your intake it added hp fuel mileage blah blah blah I was still in high school so I was that kid put stupid parts in your car you would have thought I put in a 102mm turbo.

I fell for that one too.

BEASSTING · 12-29-2013, 08:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shaky bones

I bought a Cusco brake master cylinder stopper for my S15, it is supposed to prevent the brake master cylinder from flexing under heavy use and provide a better feel and even improved braking. So I spent my $150 thinking it would do anything.

Of course also the typical useless bull crap most import owners buy. Turbo Timers - biggest con job on the planet. Aftermarket Blow Off Valves - Factory one is usually fine.

Sorry not Camaro related but still hundreds of dollars down the drain.

Could be worse someone could consider buying one of these:
http://youtu.be/cbGWgvJN1_8

I'm not totally ignorant to imports but I had to google that one? 2600 lbs, RWD, turbo...I bet that was a quick lil car!!! Too bad they stopped making them. What was your hp?

SIXJAK · 12-29-2013, 08:58 AM

Pretty much everything I bought from RX performance was a total waste of money.

Scalded Dog · 12-29-2013, 09:54 AM

Anybody used those tablets that you drop into your fuel tank, to boost mileage AND hp?!? My buddy got into selling those... gave me some for free to try out. I rejected the freebies, because even free is too expensive. After a few months, he figured out that they were utterly worthless, but not before he had sold quite a few to other suckers.

Of course, one can always get magnetic doodads, for both automobile and body... or crystals to harness special powers....

Casperadub70 · 12-29-2013, 10:22 AM

A turbo kit for my old Cavalier. Granted i was getting 311HP in a cavalier, still wish i would of just save the money.

Infidel67 · 12-29-2013, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodstock

I fell for that one too.

make that 3

mydreamcar · 12-29-2013, 10:53 AM

I forget what it was called but I rember buying a product that you clipped over the fuel line of the car, the produced stated that it would breakdown the fuel molecules more efficiently and improve fuel economy. Thank god it was only 30 bucks

beany323 · 12-29-2013, 12:55 PM

ex-wife. She told me i would be happy forever. Who knew that forever just seemed like forever..

Todd in Vancouver · 12-29-2013, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by beany323

ex-wife. She told me i would be happy forever. Who knew that forever just seemed like forever..

^^^Hahaha, X2

12-29-2013, 06:52 AM	#1
BEASSTING Drives: 2010 IBM Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: GA Posts: 263	Dumb/naive purchases In an attempt to get more horsepower from our cars I'm sure we've all made some dumb or naive aftermarket purchases over the years. Dynos and forums like this have made things a lil less trial and error, lol. So what's yours? The one that I still laugh at the most was when I bought something called a "air foil" for my 96 Impala. It cost $60 at the time and claimed 6-7 rwhp. It was basically a piece of metal that went in front of the throttlebody to straighten out the air flow. Not a lot of money, but I remember being so excited to put it on and take the car for a spin...and I felt absolutely NOTHING!!!! Too funny!!! I found a picture of it online! Attached Images

12-29-2013, 07:42 AM	#2
el ess A Older Than Dirt Drives: 2010 & 2013 Camaros Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Aiken, SC Posts: 4,564	Wasted money on this POS. Might have worked if I was modifying the car to no end, but I jumped on the bandwagon with a bunch of other mis-informed, new-to-LS1 car owners. Otherwise stock car, this was a huge waste of time/money. Sold it and got most of my money back out of it so it wasn't a horrible outcome. __________________ 2010 2SS TE, 1 of 822/2013 Camaro ZL1 vert, 1 of 54

12-29-2013, 08:58 AM	#8
SIXJAK Drives: MO's only SC'd LLT. Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Branson MO Posts: 2,574 View My Garage	Pretty much everything I bought from RX performance was a total waste of money. __________________ IPF supercharger kit, IPF tune, SW LT's, R. Tech HFC's, ARK DT-S catback, SS Brembo brake upgrade, BC Racing adjustable coilovers, Hurst STS, Pfadt rear arm package, Pfadt adjustable sways & end links, Pfadt diff bushings, BMR rear cradle full kit blk bezels,SS diffuser, Innovate gauges.

12-29-2013, 10:22 AM	#10
Casperadub70 Drives: 2014 1LE Camaro, 95 Z28 Camaro Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: America Posts: 940	A turbo kit for my old Cavalier. Granted i was getting 311HP in a cavalier, still wish i would of just save the money. __________________ 2014 1LE 2SS Camaro Recaro seats, Custom Cam, Kooks LT headers, CAI intake, Z/28 Spoiler, Z/28 Belly Pan, Z/28 Brake Air Ducts, Stainless Steel breaklines, BMR Toe Rods and Trailing Arms resulting in 482.49 RWHP

12-29-2013, 10:53 AM	#12
mydreamcar My Dream Car Drives: 2011 SIM LS3 1SS Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: staten island Posts: 1,534	I forget what it was called but I rember buying a product that you clipped over the fuel line of the car, the produced stated that it would breakdown the fuel molecules more efficiently and improve fuel economy. Thank god it was only 30 bucks __________________ CAI intake/ADM Scoop/Stainless Power Headers/Dynatech cat back exhaust/Vitesse Throttle Control/ Ported Throttle Body/QTP Electric Cutouts/ 3.91 gears and janetty rear posi/ Tuned by Janetty racing

12-29-2013, 08:06 AM	#3
BEASSTING Drives: 2010 IBM Camaro SS Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: GA Posts: 263	Haha, Granetelli Motorsports! I forgot about them! Almost bought one & a Hypertech Power Programmer! Then my cousin bought a WS6 Trans Am and after we raced I knew anything short of nitrous would've been a waste of time.

12-29-2013, 08:14 AM	#4
shaky bones Drives: Nissan S15 Silvia Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Australia Posts: 8	I bought a Cusco brake master cylinder stopper for my S15, it is supposed to prevent the brake master cylinder from flexing under heavy use and provide a better feel and even improved braking. So I spent my $150 thinking it would do anything. Of course also the typical useless bull crap most import owners buy. Turbo Timers - biggest con job on the planet. Aftermarket Blow Off Valves - Factory one is usually fine. Sorry not Camaro related but still hundreds of dollars down the drain. Could be worse someone could consider buying one of these: http://youtu.be/cbGWgvJN1_8

12-29-2013, 08:22 AM	#5
Trob85 Svt lol Drives: 2011 ss inferno orange blown Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Topeka Posts: 2,312	I admit to buying that tornado thing you were supposed to put in your intake it added hp fuel mileage blah blah blah I was still in high school so I was that kid put stupid parts in your car you would have thought I put in a 102mm turbo.

12-29-2013, 09:54 AM	#9
Scalded Dog Drives: 2011 1LT Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Crestline, CA Posts: 3,029	Anybody used those tablets that you drop into your fuel tank, to boost mileage AND hp?!? My buddy got into selling those... gave me some for free to try out. I rejected the freebies, because even free is too expensive. After a few months, he figured out that they were utterly worthless, but not before he had sold quite a few to other suckers. Of course, one can always get magnetic doodads, for both automobile and body... or crystals to harness special powers....

12-29-2013, 12:55 PM	#13
beany323 Drives: Camaro 2SS /RS/1LE Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Southern Cali. Posts: 1,566 View My Garage	ex-wife. She told me i would be happy forever. Who knew that forever just seemed like forever.. __________________ "The fact the GT500 can barely beat a $37k car with 200 less horsepower speaks volumes. There are about a million mods you can do to a LS3 to make a Camaro do the 1/4 faster then a GT500." (Vroom.) Updated w/ Willow Springs: 1. Nissan GTR Track Pack 1:19.6 2. Ducati 1198 S 1:19.7 3. Nissan GTR 1:20.3 4. Corvette Z06 1:20.4 5. Audi R8 V10 Plus 1:22.0 6. Ferrari 458 Italia 1:22.3 7. CAMARO SS 1LE 1:22.7 8. Shelby GT 500 1:23.5 9. Mustang Gt Track Pack 1:25.8