PHOTOS/PARTS/STATS: Camaro Convertible Modifications [COTW 6/4/12]

[SSWAG]

I finally got a chance to take some decent pictures of my 2011 Camaro 2SS Convertible (V8 6.2L Auto) after modifications. In the future, I plan to do more interior modifications (mostly electronics). Below is a list of the modifications so far:

• Razzi Camaro V8 Ground Effects Kit (P/N 130-100)
• Camaro Heritage Grille (GM P/N 92208704)
• GM Dovetail Rear Spoiler (GM P/N 92234283) *
• Painted Stripes with ghost flames on hood
• Windshield Frame painted in gloss black
• Rear Trunk Alcove painted in Matte Black
• Painted shadow effect on gills
• Factory SS Brembo brakes, custom painted IOM w/ white "Brembo" lettering
• Sparks Restorations "SS" emblem badges for grille and trunk (IOM painted inserts) (P/N HGEPR/TEPR-11)
• Custom "SSWAG" emblem badging
• Engine Cover, custom painted IOM (GM P/N 92247664)
• V8 Engine Cover Trim, Chrome (P/N 9590-9581V8)
• K&N 63 Series Cold Intake Kit, custom painted IOM (P/N 63-3074)
• Rear Sequential Turn Signal Pre-Wired Harnesses (P/N PHASTEK-CAMARO-TURNSIGNAL)
• NoWeeds.net Exhaust Diverter System (P/N 25NWCAML99)
• Pedders eXtreme Xa Coilover Springs (P/N 160086)
• JDP Motorsports HALO Color Changing Headlight Kit (P/N JDPL1001)
• Cross-Drilled and Slotted Brake Rotors (Brakeperformance.com P/N CB-62124 F & CB-62119 R)
• 22" Giovanna Mecca wheels (matte black with IOM barrels/lips + custom painted "SS" center caps)
• Yokohama Parada Spec-X Sport All-Season Tires: 265/35R-22 Front + 285/35R-22 Rear
• Orange Billet Aluminum Door Kick Plates with SS logo (P/N BC1003)
• Cup Holder Trim - IOM (P/N CAMC953)
• Window Tinting (20% Windows + 5% Windshield)
• Clear Bra (front, hood, windshield trim & fenders)
• Color-matched IOM License Plate Frame (P/N P076961)
• Coverking Cover, IOM with Black Stripes (CVC3SS85/CH9458)

* The body shop removed the antenna from the previous spoiler, so the AM Radio doesn't work anymore. I am still working on a solution.

Some of the items were purchased from PhastekPerformance.com. GMPartsDirect.com has the best pricing for factory Camaro parts. I also purchased the Pedders coilovers from JDP Motorsports.

Below are the factory Pirelli PZero tires and Camaro SS wheel statistics before new coilovers and new wheels were installed:

• Front Wheel & Tire Weight (lbs): 63.4
• Rear Wheel & Tire Weight (lbs): 68.8
• Front Wheel: 8.0"
• Rear Wheel: 9.0"
• Front Tire Height: 28" *
• Rear Tire Height : 28" *
• Front Fender Height: 29.75"
• Rear Fender Height: 29.75"
• Front Fender to Tire Gap: 1.75"
• Rear Fender to Tire Gap: 1.75"
• Front & Rear Wheel Diameter: 21.5"
• Front Tire Width: 9.5"
• Rear Tire Width: 10.5"

* The manufacturer's actual specs are higher for this tire


Below are the new statistics with nitrogen filled tires, Pedders eXtreme Xa Coilover Springs and 22" Giovanna Mecca Wheels:

• Front Wheel & Tire Weight (lbs): 64
• Rear Wheel & Tire Weight (lbs): 72
• Front Wheel: 9.0"
• Rear Wheel: 10.5"
• Front Tire Height (265/35-22): 29.125" *
• Rear Tire Height (285/35-22): 29.5" *
• Front Fender Height: 29.125"
• Rear Fender Height: 29.5"
• Front Fender to Tire Gap: 0"
• Rear Fender to Tire Gap: 0"
• Height the car was lowered in the front: 0.625"
• Height the car was lowered in the rear: 0.25"
• Front Tire Width: 10.4"
• Rear Tire Width: 11.2"
• Height of Rear Diffuser from the ground: 5.5"

* The manufacturer's actual specs are higher for this tire

The following guys were great to work with:

Jordan at JDPMotorsports.com
Jason at Phastek Performance
Terry at SparksRestorations.com
Gene Tjin at Wheel Warehouse (714-772-1281)
Ross at Tirerack.com (888-541-1777 Ext 796)


Even though I didn't buy from him, I would also like to thank Tony Whatley (Nine Ball) for answering all of my emails and phone calls about wheels and tires! Tony was very helpful and patient!

MY PERSONAL NOTES: The cool thing about these Pedders coilovers is that there are 30 settings for each corner! I am very pleased with the feel of the Yokohama tires with the coilovers. With such a low profile (sidewall), you would think these tires would feel every bump. However, with my setting (I have my coilovers set to 8 clicks from the left), the ride feels like stock! I just hope the tires perform well in the winter when it snows! I also highly recommend 22" wheels versus the 20" stock wheels. They look so much better, especially if you install a ground effects kit. In a way, the 20s almost looked too small. These Giovanna Meccas look like they are a 2 or 3-piece wheel, but are made of one-piece cast aluminum; and the entire set of these wheels and tires were less than 8 lbs more than the factory wheels and tires. When lowering your Camaro, be careful with the Razzi kit. My rear diffuser got damaged three times due to dips in entrance approaches! I tried to convince Razzi to redesign their rear diffuser, but they flat out refused. With the ground effects and nicely painted wheels, ALWAYS be careful when parking! My next plan is to get front and rear cameras installed!

[SSWAG]

Below are more photos....

[SSWAG]

And even more photos....

[ZWA SS]

Well done!!

[Apex Chase]

Great job! The car looks amazing.

[pierre777]

very nice ,car looks killer ,i love the rims most.

[Bcarr]

Great work! I love the wheels and the overall profile of the car.

[meissen]

Pretty cool. You have the 5th gen Convertible equivalent of my 1994 Camaro lol

[1954 Belair-man]

Well done! Looks amazing.

[Sword5]

Good looking car

[dmwhiteman]

Thats a mean looking vert! Great job on the mods.

[Hec_45th]

The car is a beauty. Belongs in a pageant Lmao. But seriously great work an the wheels blow all others out of the water.

[BowtieBelle]

VERY nice! Looking vicious.

[Rangore]

The painted gills are sweet!!!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[slicktempo]

Excellently executed as a whole, even down to the car cover!

I've got the same cross-drilled and slotted rotors from brakeperformance.com with ss lines and motul fluid! Love them!

Anyway, one of the cleanest verts around!

[JDP Motorsports]

It looks awesome!!!! Very well done and we appreciate the support!

Kind regards,

Jordan Priestley
888.308.6007

[Wheel Warehouse]

Glad we were able to help make this happen, Jeff. Seems like it was definitely worth the wait, it looks awesome!

[Mister-Camaro]

...swag

[SSWAG]

Thanks for the kind words, everyone. All of my vendors made it happen, including Jordan, Gene, Steve, Jason, Terry, Athena, Ross, Ray and Tony...and everyone else who I left off this list. Hopefully, I'll be able to add more interior mods next year!

[SSWAG]

Another tip that I want to give everyone is to purchase some ramps if you need to work on your car, especially if you have a ground effects kits. Jordan from JDP recommended RaceRamps.com. Their ramps are expensive, but they're great and they work very well for my application! I was able to change the dampers on my rear coilovers.

[SSE 4 2SS]

Beautiful Car,

[Bromaro]

Love the car! Did you have to install wheel spacers to fit the Giovanna Mecca's? There is conflicting info on the C5 forum about these wheels because of the concave design.

[Ivan @ Southwest Speed]

Pretty Badass for your 15th Post!

Nice whip sir....
Ivan

[SSWAG]

Originally Posted by Bromaro

Love the car! Did you have to install wheel spacers to fit the Giovanna Mecca's? There is conflicting info on the C5 forum about these wheels because of the concave design.

No wheel spacers were needed. Wheel Warehouse verified with Giovanna first before I bought them to make sure the offset would work, and it did just fine. The space between the Brembo calipers and spokes on the front wheel was very close, but it cleared.

[SSWAG]

Originally Posted by Ivan @ Southwest Speed

Pretty Badass for your 15th Post!

Originally Posted by Ivan @ Southwest Speed

Nice whip sir....
Ivan

Thanks, Ivan! It took a lot of detailed planning, and I started planning it even before I bought the car back in January. I also got lucky finding this brand new Camaro which sat on a dealer's lot for 9 months, two states away, before I bought it.