Choosing my next mods… need some opinions - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

newagemuscle · 06-07-2012, 09:18 AM

I am looking to do one more small performance mod this year and am undecided. At this point I have decided to stay NA with the car. Current mods are in my sig. Here is what I am thinking…

Option 1 - Ported intake $200 and ported T-body $150

Option 2 – Under Drive Pulley

I figure because I am doing the labor myself either option will cost me about the same.

I have heard a lot of mixed feeling about a couple of these mods. I have heard from two unnamed performance shops of this site that the ported t-body is a waste and also from one of them that the under drive is not worth it. I have yet to hear any negativity about porting the intake. I would just like to get some thoughts from you guys that have done these. Any regrets? Do any of you think these mods were not worth doing for the gains? I would actually like to do all of them eventually, but just would like some of your thoughts.

Thanks guys

S3XPanther · 06-07-2012, 09:35 AM

I'd choose option 1 just because I think it's a hell of a lot easier than switching out the pulley's. Also, even if opt 1 doesn't result in any additional hp, it should definitely at the very least increase throttle response.

axis · 06-07-2012, 10:59 AM

The ported intake was probably the biggest waste of $$. It has been shown to be worthless until you're moving LOTS of air.

I see you haven't touched your suspension. Drop springs and sways would be my choice. Both of those make a BIG difference in the way your car drives.

newagemuscle · 06-07-2012, 11:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by axis

The ported intake was probably the biggest waste of $$. It has been shown to be worthless until you're moving LOTS of air.

I see you haven't touched your suspension. Drop springs and sways would be my choice. Both of those make a BIG difference in the way your car drives.

They are also on the list of to do's... based on the feed back so far I may go that route. So, I assume you have the ported intake then?

axis · 06-07-2012, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newagemuscle

They are also on the list of to do's... based on the feed back so far I may go that route. So, I assume you have the ported intake then?

Nope. Saw the lack of need one for one quickly. This LS3 manifold flows very well. Several shops were selling these a few years back. Once the numbers started to come out, they quickly lost favor. They weren't helped by the several threads, with dyno sheets, showing the 102 intake not making any HP either.

Falundir · 06-07-2012, 11:18 AM

I'd side with suspension. However I say get the sub frame inserts first. Stays in your budget and will be a huge change.

newagemuscle · 06-07-2012, 11:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falundir

I'd side with suspension. However I say get the sub frame inserts first. Stays in your budget and will be a huge change.

I see in your sig you have a pulley and ported t-body... what do you think about that? waste of money?

AintQik · 06-07-2012, 11:22 AM

If you are unwilling to go for a cam, do suspension. The rest of that stuff is nit-noid and won't get you anything really "fun". Bang for the buck the suspension you WILL feel.

Additionally I port my own stuff and saw some increase when I was doing LS2 intakes. My LS3 is unported and will stay that way based on a lack of any appreciable gain.

newagemuscle · 06-07-2012, 11:27 AM

Thanks for the feed back so far guys.

Falundir · 06-07-2012, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newagemuscle

I see in your sig you have a pulley and ported t-body... what do you think about that? waste of money?

Honestly I'll never be able to tell you.

When I installed it I noticed 0 difference, however later on I found that I had a weak MAF which could of affected its performance. So it's there and done. At some point I'll get a NW 102 and FAST because there will be nothing else to do...

axis · 06-07-2012, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Falundir

I'd side with suspension. However I say get the sub frame inserts first. Stays in your budget and will be a huge change.

This holds true if you can do the install yourself. If you have to take it to a shop, labor costs go through the roof.

Parag · 06-07-2012, 11:41 AM

If you are going to take it far enough apart to do pulley, why not finish and do mild cam

newagemuscle · 06-07-2012, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Parag

If you are going to take it far enough apart to do pulley, why not finish and do mild cam

I guess I really never thought about it that way. In addition, I did not think the pulley change was that involved. The last time I did one was on my LT1 and Fox body Mustangs. I assume this is much more involved that a 20 minute job.

Falundir · 06-08-2012, 05:46 AM

Pulley took all of 25 minutes to install.

Also any shop that takes more than 30 minutes to do subframe inserts needs to be shot.

06-07-2012, 09:18 AM	#1
newagemuscle Philippians 4:13 Drives: SLP Supercharged LS3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Motor City - Michigan Posts: 2,902 View My Garage	Choosing my next mods… need some opinions I am looking to do one more small performance mod this year and am undecided. At this point I have decided to stay NA with the car. Current mods are in my sig. Here is what I am thinking… Option 1 - Ported intake $200 and ported T-body $150 Option 2 – Under Drive Pulley I figure because I am doing the labor myself either option will cost me about the same. I have heard a lot of mixed feeling about a couple of these mods. I have heard from two unnamed performance shops of this site that the ported t-body is a waste and also from one of them that the under drive is not worth it. I have yet to hear any negativity about porting the intake. I would just like to get some thoughts from you guys that have done these. Any regrets? Do any of you think these mods were not worth doing for the gains? I would actually like to do all of them eventually, but just would like some of your thoughts. Thanks guys __________________

06-07-2012, 09:35 AM	#2
S3XPanther by Odeon Drives: '12 SS/RS A6 IOM SOLD, '13 1LE IOM Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Good question Posts: 1,707	I'd choose option 1 just because I think it's a hell of a lot easier than switching out the pulley's. Also, even if opt 1 doesn't result in any additional hp, it should definitely at the very least increase throttle response. __________________ "It works 60% of the time, every time." "Some say it's a waste of time, others say it's an incredible waste of time." "The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." 2013 IOM SS/RS - 1LE. Born 5/6/2013 (1 of 32 1SS IOM 1LE's)

06-07-2012, 10:59 AM	#3
axis Search Ninja Drives: 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Central Ark Posts: 7,183	The ported intake was probably the biggest waste of $$. It has been shown to be worthless until you're moving LOTS of air. I see you haven't touched your suspension. Drop springs and sways would be my choice. Both of those make a BIG difference in the way your car drives. __________________ 2010 Black 2SS/RS A6 Halltech CF 102 fed GPI modded intake manifold Bo (knows) White ported TB Kooks LT's/ Dynomax VT Pfadted (springs/sways) Dyno tuned by Rhino and GPI I once parallel parked a train.

06-07-2012, 11:22 AM	#8
AintQik Drives: 67 Pro-Tourer, 12 SS Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: NJ Posts: 254	If you are unwilling to go for a cam, do suspension. The rest of that stuff is nit-noid and won't get you anything really "fun". Bang for the buck the suspension you WILL feel. Additionally I port my own stuff and saw some increase when I was doing LS2 intakes. My LS3 is unported and will stay that way based on a lack of any appreciable gain. __________________

06-07-2012, 11:27 AM	#9
newagemuscle Philippians 4:13 Drives: SLP Supercharged LS3 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: The Motor City - Michigan Posts: 2,902 View My Garage	Thanks for the feed back so far guys. __________________

06-07-2012, 11:18 AM	#6
Falundir Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE - Hyper Blue, P85DL Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: East Bay Posts: 2,189 View My Garage	I'd side with suspension. However I say get the sub frame inserts first. Stays in your budget and will be a huge change.

06-07-2012, 11:41 AM	#12
Parag Drives: 2010 camaro 2SS LS3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Denver Posts: 1,334	If you are going to take it far enough apart to do pulley, why not finish and do mild cam __________________ stage III cam, 4.10's, custom CAI, suede headliner 461 RWHP, 422 RWTQ

06-08-2012, 05:46 AM	#14
Falundir Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE - Hyper Blue, P85DL Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: East Bay Posts: 2,189 View My Garage	Pulley took all of 25 minutes to install. Also any shop that takes more than 30 minutes to do subframe inserts needs to be shot.