What am I going to have to do to make my car feel fast to me?

[Lee123]

I know this will sound nuts or possibly sacrilegious to many people, but I'm not that impressed with the acceleration of my 2012 SS M6. Don't get me wrong, I love the car and I am extremely glad I bought it. The sound , looks, and the feel of driving it are far more enjoyable than my other recent cars. It just doesn't seem extremely fast. I've already checked the MAF sensor and have one with a letter and a number and I've installed a CAI intake and Solo exhaust. I went for a long drive yesterday and ended up on a new section of freeway with no traffic, so it was easy to come to a stop and run up to 70 or so wide open a couple times. It felt fast, but certainly not over whelming. It didn't feel any faster than my last 2 cars, a 370z and a BMW 135. I read a recent comment here from a guy with an intake, high flow cats, an x-pipe and a muffler delete that said "In second gear at 3000 rpm I put it to the floor and it went sideways." I'd like to get that from my car, but really don't expect to. Actually, I'm guessing that guy hit a patch of oil and seriously doubt anything I do will make it "go sideways" from flooring it in second gear. I'd just like it to feel faster than my last 2 cars.

It looks to me like I have 3 choices and it's obvious that I'm going to have to say goodbye to the warranty the first 2. I could go with headers, high flow cats, Vmax throttle body and a tune, or a supercharger, or leave it alone at this point and accept it. I know a supercharger would have the desired effect because I put a Vortech on a new 1991 Mustang 5.0 and know what it can do, but that's $7,000 or so (about triple that old Vortech). The headers, cats, and tune would fit my budget better but I don't want to spend $2,000 and end up thinking it didn't do much. At that point I would be done, because there is no way that I'd pay for a supercharger on top of that.

I'd like the opinion of some guys who have been around a while and who have spent enough time driving cars with performance comparable to the Camaro LS3 to be used to it and not too easily impressed. Will headers, cats and a tune really make the car feel a lot faster on the street, or am I going to have to buy a supercharger to accomplish that?

[Sales @ CAI Inc]

First off thank you for choosing Cold Air Indutions Inc. for your CAI. Maybe you want to consider a custom tune ?? I would suggest one as it will help you take full advantage of the bolt-ons you did. I think that would be the best low budget improvement. After that you may have to get into some bigger endeavors with the internals, but I think a tune would do you good and give you some additional power you will be able to notice. Just my thoughts.

[AZ Charlie]

I would have to agree with you in stock mode. I am used to 500+ HP cars though...have a Murcielago, had a Gallardo, Diablo, etc.

See the list of things I have done to my car - it is now an absolute pleasure to drive. I have just as much fun driving this car as any Lamborghini I have owned.

Call Dyno Comp in town and tell Rich that Charlie sent you and to do the set up similar to what I have. You will not be disappointed!

[Lee123]

Originally Posted by Bill @ CAI Inc

First off thank you for choosing Cold Air Indutions Inc. for your CAI. Maybe you want to consider a custom tune ?? I would suggest one as it will help you take full advantage of the bolt-ons you did. I think that would be the best low budget improvement. After that you may have to get into some bigger endeavors with the internals, but I think a tune would do you good and give you some additional power you will be able to notice. Just my thoughts.

I've thought of that, but the tune would blow my warranty so I might as well put on the headers at the same time. I'm not on such a strict budget that the headers, high flow cats, and a tune would be a problem. I just don't want to do that and then be disappointed in the result and wish I held held out for a supercharger next year.

[v8]

Wondering the same thing, a tune, CAI, and full exhaust, how much of a difference does it make?

[HaubSS]

+1 on the tune. Usually can get it done for ~$400. Good investment for a little more power and mpg. Then I would say it depends if your looking for more horsepower or "seat-o-the-pants" power. More power, I would say maximize your bolt-ons, then tune. If you just want a seat of the pants feel. Get some LPE 3.91 gears and enjoy. after all is said and done, the gears might end up being the least expensive of the two options.

[67motorcat]

Remember this is a Big and Heavy car with alot of isolation between what you feel and how fast you are really going as well as perception of acceleration.

It's called refinement...it's quit,smooth,vibration free,etc.

A blower is probably the only thing that is going to make it "feel" like you want it to.

Then you will feel it for sure......

[Lee123]

Originally Posted by AZ Charlie

I would have to agree with you in stock mode. I am used to 500+ HP cars though...have a Murcielago, had a Gallardo, Diablo, etc.

See the list of things I have done to my car - it is now an absolute pleasure to drive. I have just as much fun driving this car as any Lamborghini I have owned.

Call Dyno Comp in town and tell Rich that Charlie sent you and to do the set up similar to what I have. You will not be disappointed!

I only wish I could, Charlie. In fact, if the lottery tickets that I bought for tonight come through I'll do that. Seriously, I appreciate the advice and it's good to have a suggestion on where to get work like that done around here. Your car is really impressive and I'd love to do all that but it would be way out of my budget. Everything I'm considering is stuff I could put on myself. The supercharger kit for around $7,000 is pretty much the maximum.

[mikeSS]

i think you will be happy with adding headers and a tune. even if you want more power, which you will in time. headers intake and a tune are the best starting point. and the car will be a lot louder and thats another good thing. sometimes a car sounding faster will also make you mentally feel like its faster.

[Smirnoff]

Your vehicle could be stuck in a lower octane map, did you ever perform the fuse pull?

I test drove an '10 SS that had regular fuel before I purchased mine, the car was a dog. I went back (dealer) & drove an SS with premium fuel, which the acceleration/performance was much better.....

With LT's/CAI & dyno tune - my car is a totally difference animal & I have the framework to take the next step (cam, SC, Turbo), if needed.

[Lee123]

Originally Posted by Smirnoff

Your vehicle could be stuck in a lower octane map, did you ever perform the fuse pull?

I test drove an '10 SS that had regular fuel before I purchased mine, the car was a dog. I went back (dealer) & drove an SS with premium fuel, which the acceleration/performance was much better.....

With LT's/CAI & dyno tune - my car is a totally difference animal & I have the framework to take the next step (cam, SC, Turbo), if needed.

Yep, did the fuse pull shortly after I got it and then had the battery unhooked overnight last week when I installed the catch can and CAI and got interrupted. We're stuck with 91 here in the Phoenix area thanks to big brother. The car doesn't run poorly and I'm not disappointed in it, I'd just like it to be faster. I think I've had too many cars with similar acceleration. If I'm going to blow the warranty I want to make sure the results of the work will be a big difference in performance.

[Lee123]

Originally Posted by HaubSS

+1 on the tune. Usually can get it done for ~$400. Good investment for a little more power and mpg. Then I would say it depends if your looking for more horsepower or "seat-o-the-pants" power. More power, I would say maximize your bolt-ons, then tune. If you just want a seat of the pants feel. Get some LPE 3.91 gears and enjoy. after all is said and done, the gears might end up being the least expensive of the two options.

You've got a good point with the gears. I did that to the Mustang before I put the blower on it and it helped the acceleration quite a bit. I can't seen where it would hurt the mileage on the Camaro much either the way it is geared now. I might actually use 6th gear now and then with the lower rear end gears.

[Synner]

Headers and intake are a nice jump in performance but it sounds like you want to be blown away. So do these mods this year and then supercharge next year.

I was kinda the same way; after the initial excitement wore off all I did was feel that this thing weighed 4k lbs. Did intake and headers in the fall and will tune it this spring. Camshaft and maybe trans rebuild next fall and then supercharge/pump/injectors the year after that.

[Lee123]

Originally Posted by mikeSS

i think you will be happy with adding headers and a tune. even if you want more power, which you will in time. headers intake and a tune are the best starting point. and the car will be a lot louder and thats another good thing. sometimes a car sounding faster will also make you mentally feel like its faster.

That's probably where I'm going to end up, and maybe also with the lower rear end gears that someone suggested. Louder is good, but only to a point. I'm already half deaf from loud motorcycles, cars, music and guns. And I do like to be able to talk to my wife while were driving down the road. The Solo system on the car is pretty quite, and a bit more noise sure wouldn't hurt, though.

[geaux_tigerss]

Did you turn the nannies off? TC and stabilitrac really neuter the car.

[asrautox]

Gears, gears, gears... This car comes with too tall of a gear IMO. Do gears first then add power. I'll bet some 4.33's would blow your hair back!

[RANGERGOD]

I tell you, I drove her for a week before I realized the TCS was on. A whole different car when you turn it off.

[Lee123]

Originally Posted by 67motorcat

Remember this is a Big and Heavy car with alot of isolation between what you feel and how fast you are really going as well as perception of acceleration.

It's called refinement...it's quit,smooth,vibration free,etc.

A blower is probably the only thing that is going to make it "feel" like you want it to.

Then you will feel it for sure......

There's a lot to be said for that and I know for sure that is why the BMW 135 "felt" a bit faster from 0 to 40 or 50 even though it wasn't. That and having full torque at 2,000 rpm due to the turbo. I'd no doubt be happier with the blower, but it is a lot of money and installing it looks like a pain in the ass. I love the line in the Magnacharger instructions that says, "now is a good time to practice that patience you’ve been working on." I might well end up putting all this off until fall. It would be good to have 8 or 10 months on the car before losing the warranty and it's too hot to do much to the car in the summer so it's either the next couple months or next fall.

[Lee123]

Originally Posted by geaux_tigerss

Did you turn the nannies off? TC and stabilitrac really neuter the car.

Yes, I had them off yesterday, but I really do need to get in the habit of remembering that. No rain or snow here, so I'd turn them off permanently if I could.

[RANGERGOD]

The altitude where you are is a killer also. I was in Huachuca for school and had my 1000cc sportbike with me and it felt like a 600.

[Unreal]

Put a cammed LS7 in it and enjoy it. 550-580rwhp all motor and tons of fun.

[IndeedSS1]

Adding the ADM scoop is cheap and imo really helps.

[njdad61]

It's definitely the weight/refinement of the car that's making it feel on-par with your previous cars. I guarantee it's faster but it doesn't have the same "throw your head back and pin it there" feeling. Believe it or not, though, that's actually a good thing. It gives you much more control than an older car with the same amount of power. The tune is the best thing I did to free up all that low-end torque.

[jmaynard]

Originally Posted by geaux_tigerss

Did you turn the nannies off? TC and stabilitrac really neuter the car.

+1, need to put it into Comp Mode. It'll flat out chirp in t 1-3.

[jmaynard]

Originally Posted by Lee123

Yes, I had them off yesterday, but I really do need to get in the habit of remembering that. No rain or snow here, so I'd turn them off permanently if I could.

Ummmm, not a good idea. I cannnot tell you just how fast the car is with them off. I put mine around almost 360 one morning 'playing'. They are there to keep the car on the road and off of other vehicles. When off, the car handles completely different.