demonspeed's 2002 SS #7146 "journey"

[demonspeed]

Thanks, Chris!

[ndtguy]

Thanks for the info Steve. I'm 50/50 on the whole ported TB. I agree with you on the MAF ends. It's hit or miss. What's next for your red SS?

[demonspeed]

This weekend I'll be replacing the passenger window motor and maybe the fuel filter (depends on my mood with that since it's so messy).

I have Brakemotive pads and slotted rotors sitting in my garage that I'd like to get on before the end of the month. I am going to paint the calipers and brackets gloss black as well. I also bought silver "CAMARO" brake decals from BFranker to put on the front calipers, too.

In May, I'm adding SLP Bilsteins & SLP Eibachs along with several UMI parts (LCA, PHB, TA, SFC, Sway bars, STB).

That will probably be it for this year unless my money tree grows larger than expected. I am really itchin' to get to the track. I'd also like to make it to a HPDE once before the fall.

[ndtguy]

Let me know how the SLP Eibachs are (ride and handling).

I had the Brakemotive pads/rotors on my Titan. They seemed to do well. The stock brakes were just crap and it was a 4800 pound truck so it's tough to compare what it will do vs an fbody. I have seen/read nothing but good reviews on the brakes though.

What track in your area holds HPDE-like "races"?

[demonspeed]

I will certainly post about the SLP Bilstein/Eibach combo. While I like the stance the Strano springs provide, I am not interested in spending the money for the Koni's. With all the hubbub on LS1tech about matching one's springs to the right shocks/struts, I find it a bit contradictory that everyone buys the Strano springs to run with Bilsteins or KYB's. Yes, I realize that's what you did, but I haven't seen you proclaiming the "virtues" like the other "experts."

So, I'm going to go with a combo that was engineered to work together - just like what Sam insists everyone should do. I'm not worried about the propaganda towards Eibach "spring sag," either. I figure by the time it's a problem (if it ever is), I'll have enough disposable income to upgrade to the Strano springs and Koni's

With the brakes, I initially was going to go with ATE rotors and HPS pads. However, for $165 shipped for all four corners, the Brakemotive setup simply could not be beat. It's purely economics for me. It's a wear item, and like what I mention about springs and shocks, I'll upgrade to something better in the future when the brakes need replaced again -- and I have more disposable income. I will, however, throw on a set of stainless lines and better fluid (just not sure if I want to do that now or later). I simply wasn't expecting to do a full brake upgrade this summer, but state inspection told me otherwise.

As for the local track, it's what was formerly known as BeaveRun -- Pittsburgh International Race Complex: http://www.pittrace.com/ They are having a HPDE-ish event each month; I'm shooting for the June race.

[xXSilencerXx]

Hmm I might've seen that car on Craigslist down here before you got it. Looks clean!

If those springs are anything like the Eibach prokit, they'll ride like crap and leave no travel space for the suspension. My sister's car had those when we first got it. Tossed them ASAP and replaced with BMR/KYB setup. It rode 100x better afterwards. Hopefully the SLP ones are better, I've never heard of them before.

The window motor is easy. I used the same link and got it done in an hour on my first try. It takes me about 20 minutes now.

[demonspeed]

It was in Bumpass, to be precise. Really nice guy with a lot of other nice cars.

Like the SLP Bilsteins, the SLP Eibachs were made to SLP's specifications for their uplevel Y2Y suspension option. The combination was engineered to work together, and sold as a "factory" option, so it's not just buying a set of springs that makes the car "look cool" -- it's to work. With that said, some cars actually appear lower in the rear with these springs, but I'm going function over form here as I want a combination that works in unison.

Keeping in mind, though, that SLP Bilsteins used the Bilstein HD rears; SLP revalved only the fronts. However, the HD's are now the same as SLP's -- yet SLP's remain cheaper! What I do not know is if the Eibach Prokit has recently modeled itself after the SLP-spec springs. My only previous experience is that I ran the Prokit on my 93 GT on stock struts/shocks -- it rode stiff, but I liked it. Like I mentioned in my first post, if I wanted to drive a couch, I would have bought a 5th gen. I keed, I keed

Glad to hear another success story with those window motor instructions. While I'm not that apprehensive to tackle any repairs, it's always nice to have confidence going in that it shouldn't leave me cursing it all day!

[xXSilencerXx]

Gotcha, after the experience with the prokit I've never given Eibach a second look. The setup your looking at sounds well put together. Haha my 5th gen does ride a lot smoother than the 4th, but you don't get that raw connection with the surface like you do with a stuff setup.

[ndtguy]

I'm waiting your feed back on the SLP Eibach springs. I am currently running the stock springs and it sits to high for my liking. If the SLP spec'd Eibachs ride decent with your setup, lower the car around an inch and improve handling, well....I know what I'm spending my money on next. LOL

I had brakemotive pads/rotors on the Titan, they did well. I'm sure they'll be fine for your application. The guy at Brakemotive, I can't remember his name for the life of me right now, but when I said I was going to road race the car, he didn't want to say that they would hold up vs others out there. I respect that he was up front and honest with me on that. Speaks volumes about him and his company. He did say that they would be fine for autocross though.

What sway bars (made by whom/size/solid or hollow) are you looking at running on your car?

Can't wait to see more updates for your car.

[demonspeed]

Oh, for some reason I thought had gone with the Strano springs with KYB's. I must have misread something! My apologies!

I'm looking forward to this setup as I remember wayyyy back in the day attending GM Nationals at Carlisle when these cars were still new. You could tell the guys who had the suspension option by how nice their cars sat (this was a LONG time before Strano had springs!). Heck, the Koni cars sit higher than even the base SS suspension!

I totally do not expect these pads & rotors to be amazing on anything but the street. That's fine as I do not live at the track. However, if they last me a year or two then I'll be satisfied. Sean is the Brakemotive guy, btw. Very nice and helpful, that's for sure!

I'm going with UMI sway bars. Same as Strano -- just solid (and more affordable).

[demonspeed]

I just wrapped up the window motor install. It was pretty easy other than being a PITA trying to get the bolt holes to align correctly while meshing with the gear. Now that I've done it once, I am sure it'll go a lot smoother next time. Word of advice -- a Dremel makes the holes much nicer (drill bit splinters the SMC). However, be sure to cover your interior with a sheet unless you like to sit in dust.

I did, however, find a surprise hiding in the door:




I am not a stereo person whatsoever, so I haven't any idea if this a good replacement for the stock Monsoon. I don't know what may be in the rest of the car, but I don't care enough at the moment to take things apart to find out.

[OffseT]

Those are good speakers, not sure if they are any better than Monsoon, Never had the factory stereo to compare.. but should be interesting to see whats in the rest of the car.

[demonspeed]

Finally got my brakes on. Power Stop rotors & pads -- $165 shipped for all four corners! I would have liked to done something a bit better, but I wasn't planning on brakes yet. Economy vs. desire, and economy won out for this one.



I also cleaned ten years of grime off the wheels:

Before:


After:


Also polished them. By hand. I need to pick up a powerball for the next time I do this!

Before:



After:



I would have liked to invest some more time on the calipers. They need a good cleaning and painting, but I simply lack motivation for them at the moment.


Please note: Uniroyal all-seasons are not a good idea for your Camaro if you enjoy any sort of spirited driving. Actually, any brand all-season is a bad idea. Fortunately, I didn't spend my own money on these tires as they came with the car; however, I am going to need to do something about them.

[xXSilencerXx]

Those wheels cleaned up real nice!