TAG's 2010 THRSS #2

[TAG UR IT]

As featured on homepage.

This is my Journal....a story of how the second built THRSS (Tom Henry Racing Super Sport Camaro) came to be. I'm going to try to update this thread with all the important and interesting points that came to be during this process. But, for me....a 31 year old Camaro enthusiast who'd loved Camaros since "Better off Dead" so many years ago, this is a dream...a complete and utter dream...and I'm going to do my best to document this unbelievable roller coaster ride right here for all to see.

This is my story....and I hope you all enjoy.

~Tag

[TAG UR IT]

October 20th....

A week after orders have begun to be placed, I decide today............today..............IS the day.

And so it began.......

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

I'm finally able to say that I've placed my order for a new 5th Gen...and I gotta tell you all....it feels GREAT!

It's been ordered through and is going to be shipped to Tom Henry in PA.

For those of you who are unfamiliar with Tom Henry or Tom Henry Racing, check out the links provided below for who they are and what they've done.

http://www.tomhenryracing.com/default.htm
http://www.tomhenryracing.com/toys/ss_camaro.htm

For our new 5th Gen Camaros, there's talk of:

• performance engine upgrades
• performance chambered exhuast
• cosmetic changes (painted stripes, badging, etc)

Right now, my order stands as is:

2SS
RS Package
Cyber Gray
Black Interior
LS3 6spd
Cyber Gray Engine Cover
Hurst Short Throw Shifter
Gray w/ Black Stripes Car Cover

............and if the budget allows, it, guess what I'm going to do!

Yes. Since this day, some changes were made to the order.

[TAG UR IT]

.....Time goes by.......

....................Orders are being taken......

.........other cars are being built............

We learn that one of the items on constraint is the Cyber Gray Metallic paint color.




until one day......................



I'm woken up....by a couple text messages.....

Originally Posted by UCF w00t

And the first CGM (cyber gray metallic goes to)........
TAG UR IT by way of Tom Henry Chevrolet!!!!

VIN# 2G1FT1EW7A9102352

Vehicle Details (keep refreshing if it doesn't show all the info)

I STILL can't believe this one........

....how nuts is this.....

[TAG UR IT]

Then......

.......a little birdy came along..............


..and sung a song into my ear.............................


Hylton..........TOPLS1..........THANK YOU. ......and there might be another thank you in there too..... but......I don't know who that would go too....


But....suddenly.....the first ever pictures of a cyber gray metallic SS hit the pages of Camaro5.

Originally Posted by Tran

FINALLLY!!!
Thanks to Hylton and TOPLS1

My car......at Oshawa.......

Another one of those....."you gotta be kiddin' me...." feelings.

[TAG UR IT]

Even more time goes by..................


.........................until May 4th, 2009.......................

....when I'm woken up with text messages, emails, .......................

............and they read...."HERE!!!" and "MORE"....and "MORE 2".......and "MORE 3".......and all these pictures are attached to the emails I'm reading on my phone.............

TIME TO GET UP!!!

I turn on the computer and open my email....there they are......

........and there is CGM#1 being taken off the transport truck..........

Oh yeah....it's a beautiful day!!!

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

Ladies and geltlemen!!!!!!

The day has arrived!!!!!!!

CGM #1 has arrived at Tom Henry's dealer!

Once again, I'm lying in bed....my phone alarm goes off saying I got a text. Who is it? Tom is sending me a message.....check your email. Of course, I click on my email button and see the subject headline...."HERE!!!!" and "more," "more 2," and "more 3." My phone won't automatically upload the pictures....SO....I spring up out of bed, turn on the computer, wake up my 4 year old in the process....heheheh....he needs to be awake for this...

The computer finally loads up and I open my email. What a beautiful site. A few things caught my eye. I'll point those out here in a just a minute. But, for now....check these bad boys out!!!

And, my SS was delivered on a car carrier FULL of IMPALA POLICE CARS!!!! HA!!! I have a feeling someone at GM wanted to make sure NO ONE messed with this special load!.... ...how fitting...There was another black SS on there as well...but not sure if that one was going to Tom's or a dealer in the area. I'll find out about that.

I can't believe it's finally here. Now...over the course of the next month and a half, paint is going to go on, parts will go on, exhaust will go on....lots of stuff. I'll keep everyone updated. I take delivery June 24th...just before Carlisle for the GM All Nationals! For now...ENJOY!!!

[TAG UR IT]

This same day, I'm asked, "Do you want me to put your Camaro in the Stainless Works trailer to have the exhaust fitted?"

......After a quick discussion, it's a YES!!!...............

And so it goes......on May 4th to Ohio........

.....................and is there for 2 1/2 weeks....

......and then.....


.......................the day before it goes back to Toms...........

......I'm told of some "videos of a cyber gray metallic Camaro SS on youtube".................


.....and I'm told they were from Stainless Works.................


.......................OH BOY.........................

I've never gotten so HOT so quickly!!!!!


But there they were.....of my car......






UPDATED:
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=32310

This exhaust is freaking wicked...

Someone mentioned it sounding like Nascar....Ummmmm>>>>>YEAH!

(Yes, the trunk is popped...I was recording video of the stereo prior to this and had it opened).

....oh, and notice the "rocking" of the Camaro...

[TAG UR IT]

May 26th.....some pictures show up in my email..............

.................it has begun..............

The left side shows top of cowl......the right side is inclusive of the cowl side.

The bottom picture shows the "fixed" hockey....there was another taped off differently which made the front look too wide.

[TAG UR IT]

Wednesday, May 27th....

I call Randolph Brooks Federal Credit Union and get approved my 20k loan at 3.8%.

.......Good day.

[TAG UR IT]

One of our own went waaaay out of his way to do some good for a few very lucky enthusiasts who ordered a new Camaro.

I was one of the lucky recipients of a lithograph signed by all the Oshawa line workers who built my 2SS/RS.

June 2nd...1647 hours, I pick it up from Sigoloff Frame and Art off Broadway...San Antonio, TX.


Click this link for more info...

[TAG UR IT]

Taken from later post...06-05-09

Okie Dokie....

So....here we go w/ the paint.

Remember, this is NOT finished as we are still planning on changing out the wheels and adding a few more cosmetic items. This is a work IN PROGRESS.

Next step...

Figure out what color the bowtie should be. I'm thinking blue to match the pin stripes. We were discussing SS emblems in front and back. But, I'm not sure if we can get those done to actually fit the front grill. We'll see....

For now, I think Tom is going to tape off the front bow tie with blue tape so we can get a feel.

Now...the car is CGM. I wanted the contrast of bright on the dark. So, on came the Silver Ice Metallic. I've always loved the blue (similar to the Henessey type car) but didn't want blue hockey's. I wanted silver. In fact, this paint job is the opposite of my wife's SUV...funny. Her's is silver w/ dark gray......love it.

So, we used Silver Ice Metallic on the hockey's and on the center stripe. I don't know if you can really see it yet, but there are two clear coats with blue pearl added to it. That way, we get the blue flake in the paint just like the CGM.

The blue (GM 08 - Wave Blue Effect Metallic) was used for the pin stripes. This will also help to bring out the blue flake in the CGM and SIM. The pins are 1/8th in width. Anyway...enough of the talking. Check them out and enjoy!

Oh..and ya'll think blue on the bow tie? Or, chrome....or blue SS's or chrome SS's...sheooot...I can't make up my mind.

IDEAS ARE WELCOME.
Oh...and picture #1 of the white Z28 (in disguise) was the inspiration behind this all...this is what I saw a year ago and what's been in my mind FOREVER....

[TAG UR IT]

And the pictures began to roll in....

Updated 06-18-09

next up?

.........we need some paint on the sides of the cowl............




..............let's get it workin'!!!!!!!! ..............

...maybe a little "THR" in CGM and "SS" in that same wave blue metallic.......

Oh...and we need some wheels.....

[TAG UR IT]

July 1st, 2009...

Registration, taxes, and license fees were paid on my car today. Total damage?....$2,255.68 at the tax office. Ugh....I hate taxes.

July 2nd, 2009...

Custom Sounds installs my Formula 1 window tint. 15% on the rear (I've had the limo for years and I'd finally like to be able to see out the back on this one...) and 30% on the sides. Yes...I actually decided to go legal.

Custom Sounds also takes a look at my trunk space. THIS is going to be a good one. We are going to have a ported subwoofer box built and installed for the trunk. They are going to wire the entire system and claim they can make this single speaker thump better than my previous 10 and 12 JL's TOGETHER. So, we'll see what they have to offer. I WILL be updating this thread/post for pictures of the install. I can't wait to see their work. This should be interesting.


07-10-2009

Here's the install with pix I promised.

It's a custom box and it really is a good job. I was surprised at the quality of the box and the install. I gotta hand it to Custom Sounds. They really did a stellar job at the install.

The quality of the video is okay. The sound ok. The popping has to be the camera.













July 13th, 2009
As silly as this may sound, all you guys n' gals out there running around with stuff in your trunk will quickly figure out that the carpet just doesn't like to stay in place!

All that stuff slides from side to side any time you turn left or right. When that stuff slides, it slides the entire carpet. I opened my trunk to find my bags all the way on the left side of my trunk and all my carpet bunched up.

Solution?

Velcro.

Talk about easy. Just run out to your local home depot, wal mart, target, etc. and pick up a couple small boxes of velcro. Lift up the carpet and line the bottom edges with the velcro cutting the strips to fit and then stick them the ones on the bottom in place. Take off the top sticky liner and simply drop the carpet in place securing it by pressing down firmly.

Pretty simple.

Cost?...$15.00 for one large box to cover the entire trunk.

Time?...5 min.

I have not had a problem with sliding carpet since...and it just pulls right out if I need to remove the carpet. I know it may sound silly like I already said. But, I don't like my stuff sliding back and forth in the trunk.

[TAG UR IT]

07-14-09

This exhaust is freaking wicked...

Someone mentioned it sounding like Nascar....Ummmmm>>>>>YEAH!

(Yes, the trunk is popped...I was recording video of the stereo prior to this and had it opened).

....oh, and notice the "rocking" of the Camaro...

08-13-09

The only change in this video are the mufflers. The previous S-Turbo mufflers were 3" in diameter inside the mufflers. These are straight through 2 1/2" THR mufflers.

[TAG UR IT]

12-05-09

I got my Hurst Short Throw Shifter delivered a couple days ago (Thanks, Chris!!!) and FINALLY had an opportunity to get in the garage to get it installed. Like all my installations, I like to help out others with DIY threads so that everyone can see for themselves how the installation works.

This following thread should be used as a tool (along with the directions for the install provided by Hurst) to help you get your new shifter installed with ease. First, let me tell you that this install is EASY. If you have any mechanical experience, this is super easy. For someone who's never done anything like this before, follow the directions and you'll be fine. Anyone can do this....and it's actually fun to do it yourself. No need to pay the local guy $100 for install when you can get it done in 45 minutes.

Onward to the pix and video!!!!

First things first, open that box up and make sure all your parts are there. Included in the box are:

• OEM Camaro Stick
• Chrome Hurst Stick
• White "Q Ball" Shifter
• Shifter
• Stick Mounting Screws (2)
• Stick Mounting Hardware (2)
• Shifter Mouting Screws (2)
• Boot Supports (2)
• Tie Wrap
• Knob Nut
• Grease
• Thread Adhesive

Tools needed for the install:

• Trim Tool
• 10mm and 15mm Socket
• Ratchet, short extension, and long extension
• Torque Wrench
• 4mm Hex Drive
• Hex Wrench 7/32"
• Jack and two Jack Stands
• Phillips Screwdriver
• Wrench 9/16"

Once you have all the parts down, make sure you have a clean, flat surface to work on...or a lift which is preferable. I did this in my own garage using a floor jack and two jack stands. But...I would have preferred to use a lift (if you can get one).

To start:

Use a trim tool to lift up the silver surround (trim/gauge cluster) that goes around the shifter. If you use a flat head (which I don't recommend), USE CAUTION. Scratching the piece is SO easy to do. I decided to slide my fingers under the very bottom right side of the center console and completely pull off the right side cover. I reached under finding two tabs that held the center silver piece in place and pushed them up.



The silver surround popped right up and I removed it laying it over the right side on the floor (never even needing a trim tool or screwdriver).



No need to disconnect any wires as this part will not get in the way.



Next part is to unscrew the 4 screws that hold the shift boot ring in place. Put them in the cup holder for later. Two on either side...



Next, pull up sharply on the stock shifter. You might need to twist it ever so gently and rock it a bit to get it to come up. It DOES take some force. Don't worry...you won't break it. It'll just pop right up. NOTE: MAKE SURE YOU UNSCREW THE 4 SCREWS FIRST....if not, and you pull up on the shifter, that shifter is going to continue going upward with all that force you put into it and the leather boot will come up straight off that boot ring. You'll have to use a flat head to align and pinch the leather back into the holding tabs. Ask me how I know this...



Next, put the car on a lift or use the floor jack to lift it up...put it on jack stands so it doesn't fall on ya! Safety first!




The next step is easy....(as they pretty much all are)...
Use the small extension, ratchet, and your 15mm socket to loosen the 4 bolts that hold the rear transmission cross member bolts. Be careful not to loosen them up too much. It'll drop about 1/2 to 1 inch giving you better access to the shifter. I unscrewed them one at a time and allowed the first one to completely come out. I screwed it back in a few full revolutions and repeated for all 4 bolts. I'm pointing to the two bolts on either side shown here.




Next part is to pull the dust boot forward (putting it back is an utter PAIN).



Under that dust boot, you'll see the shifter. There are two connection pin clips on both sides of the lower shifter.





Included directions show a flat head being used to push them off the pin. I was able to remove them by hand. Once you have the pin clips removed, slide out the cross pin either way and disconnect the change rod from the shifter allowing it to hand out of the way. I actually pushed mine backwards to the rear of the car (probably putting it in gear). But, it got it out of the way a bit.

Then, use that long ratchet extension, a 10mm socket, and your ratchet to remove the two mounting screws and mounting plate. You won't need those anymore. Pull down firmly on the shifter and it'll pop right out. It's a bit of a pain getting it around the change rod, but if you angle it to the drivers side when pulling it out, it'll come out.




Next step is to use the supplied grease and grease up those O rings on the new shifter and pop it up in place. Remember, the longer stepped side of the lower bushings go towards the driver and the ridges of the upper stick connection to the passenger. Pop it up in place (it'll stay by itself) and line up the mounting screw holes.




Here comes the tough part...

Use the provided Locktight (adhesive) placing a drop onto either counter sunk mounting screw. Reach up there with your allen wrench and tighten them down. There is NOT a lot of room at all to work in there. It's a pain... Just stick with it and you'll get them screwed in. Then attach the connecting rod to the lower shifter bushings sliding the cross pin in place. Secure the cross pin back in place with the locking clips you took off earlier.

Next up? Put that dust boot back in place. This was a pain since there is no room to work under there.



Just get one side in place and pull the tabs (one at a time) to stretch the boot around and it'll pop back in place in it's grooves. Now, double check the boot and make sure it's all good. Tighten those 4 transmission cross member bolts back up with your 15 mm socket wrench and your in business. Drop the car back down.

Using one of the supplied boot supports, slide it down over the shifter stub stick. Then work the rubber boot into the groove of the boot support. Push it down far enough so that it clears the two screw holes.





Either use the chrome Hurst handle or stock OEM stick for stock handle shifter. I used the chrome handle for now.

Slide the other boot support on the Hurst handle passed the mounting holes. Remove the stock shifter handle by cutting the zip tie. Replace with the Hurst shifter and line up the leather boot around the boot support using the new zip tie to secure the leather to the boot support. Easy to do...just reverse the process in taking apart the original.



Here's another angle since that first one was blurry.



Line up the groves on the chrome handle to the lower Hurst shift stick and screw in the mounting screws with washers one at a time. I hand tightened mine while holding the shifter in place so that the shifter handle grooves were sure to line up. I then tightened them down properly with my allen wrench.




Then, just put the boot ring back into place screwing it back down w/ the 4 screws left in your cup holder.




Screw the nut onto the top of the Hurst shifter and screw on the white "Q ball." You have to use a wrench after getting the Q ball screwed on to align properly...tighten the screw to keep it in place. Then, just toss the silver console/gauge cluster back in place and you are ready to rock. Make sure you can shift through all the gears. It might be tough at first, but start the car and keep the clutch in. It moved really tight and was hard to get into revers for mine...until I started the car. Then, it moved into reverse with ease.





Summary on the install? EASY. There is LITTLE room to work up there around the driveshaft...and that is the ONLY drawback. Other than that, it's a breeze. Very simple install process.

And my final opinion on the shifter?



TOTALLY different from the stock OEM shifter. MAJOR difference. If you know anyone with a short throw shifter and have not yet run through the gears, dude...you HAVE to try it. It is UNBELIEVABLE.

The two MAIN differences between stock and Hurst are the firmness of the shifts through the gates (waaaay too smooth with stock - I swear, it always felt like I was going to break that stock shifter handle when shifting quickly) and the throw distance. It is immediately apparent that you don't have to move the shifter as far. When rowing through the gears, you FEEL the Hurst shifter go into each gear almost with a "click." It is FIRM. You can FEEL it. If you want smooth, easy, and mushy, stick with stock. If you want to feel your shifts, this is the shifter for you. You KNOW when you shift into gear.

Yeah...so far, I LOVE it. I have not yet "gotten on it." But, when I have the chance, I will...and I'll let ya'll know how it goes. I believe it honest reviews of the parts I put in my car. If I don't like it, I'll say it. Not the case here. I LOVE the shifter so far.

Great job, Hurst!!!

Now...for those back ordered black Hurst knobs.....

[dschill]

Hmm nice video's ill be keeping up on your journal

[Doc]

That's a big hockey stick hehe. What color are you getting for them?

If you're looking for opinions...ahem... to me the hood stripe looks best on the driver side. The hockey stick looks a bit much. These are my ideas on the hockey stick...

The first one shows the stick in black; the second one shows the edge in white so you can see what's different from the blue taped one. The part heading back towards the door is tapering and would end at the rear door edge.

Absolutely beautiful color BTW.

[zebra]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

Even more time goes by..................


.........................until May 4th, 2009.......................

....when I'm woken up with text messages, emails, .......................

............and they read...."HERE!!!" and "MORE"....and "MORE 2".......and "MORE 3".......and all these pictures are attached to the emails I'm reading on my phone.............

TIME TO GET UP!!!

I turn on the computer and open my email....there they are......

........and there is CGM#1 being taken off the transport truck..........

Oh yeah....it's a beautiful day!!!

i still get a kick out of the fact that it's on a truck full of police cars!


it's about as close to an escort as anyone can ever get on delivery!

[09'Z28]

Looks good, I can definitely picture your idea now and all I can say is, wow!
I know were aren't voting, but I think it should go to the bottom of the cowl

[TAG UR IT]

No...I'd LOVE opinions on the stripes. I have decided that it WILL go down the edges of the cowl. The hockey stripes, on the other hand....that's what we are discussing. I don't want them too large, but I do want them to dip lower than what GM has...well below the turn signal. Well...basically just like you see here. Still thinking on the hockeys.

[Xmicro_SS]

Man, I cannot believe how those exhaust guys drove your car that hard before break in........ not trying to make you feel bad, but I would have made them by me a new one...no BS. That is the worst thing to do before break in!

My car will not leave my site until broken in.

[TAG UR IT]

yeah...but look at those numbers! I mean...I have a feeling that they are off. But, if this Camaro is REALLY dyno'ing at 416 rear wheel HP, then NASA, we got a problem!!! Because AFTER the exhaust install, we are looking at 440hp. That means an easy 490 or so hp at the fly wheel.

Again, this is speculative since....well....this just really sounds off. SW's also thought it to be weird. But, I would NEVER give up this car! CGM #1....crazy jacked up super power engine.... ...this is just getting too good, man!

I'm over the hard driving they did. I'm good. I'll have plenty of time to baby her into the best piece of machinery ever....

[Supermans]

I really like the longer hockey stripes and definitely like the "over the mail-slot" look way better than the stock vinyl's. You will definitely have a unique looking Camaro let alone the first Cyber Grey.

[BeermanSS]

Well I know who I won't be trusting to do the exhaust on my ss when I get it. Thanks to this journal, I'll be very watchful of whose working on this car and what they do with it when I'm not babysitting.

[Camaro68]

Thanks for the story and video of your Camaro,
really
Will it be ready for Camaro Nationals?

[Scott@Bjorn3D]

Originally Posted by TAG UR IT

yeah...but look at those numbers! I mean...I have a feeling that they are off. But, if this Camaro is REALLY dyno'ing at 416 rear wheel HP, then NASA, we got a problem!!! Because AFTER the exhaust install, we are looking at 440hp. That means an easy 490 or so hp at the fly wheel.

Again, this is speculative since....well....this just really sounds off. SW's also thought it to be weird. But, I would NEVER give up this car! CGM #1....crazy jacked up super power engine.... ...this is just getting too good, man!

I'm over the hard driving they did. I'm good. I'll have plenty of time to baby her into the best piece of machinery ever....

I told you Doug, GM put the COP CAM in for you.