Newbie - looking for some help

[Myaghi24]

Hey all!

First time for me on this site. Glad I found it as a lot of very cool and very good info/insight on here. Thanks for sharing.

Do have a couple of questions if you don't mind helping me out. I have a '11 2 SS. A good friend of mine owned the dealership and I had him install the Borla (touring) cat back exhaust before I picked it up and it sounds good. I did a lot of research online with Borla and only had a chance to hear the different styles they offered online and didn't want something to excessive but am thinking I should have gone with the sport and full exhaust.

Questions I'm hoping you can help me with:
1 - does anyone have any issues with the steering wheel and comfort? I'm finding after driving the car for more than 15 mins that it's pretty uncomfortable..most likely because I have small hands and the angle and width of the wheel. Anybody else experience this?

2 - I'm already looking into upgrades and have been researching several particularly around a Stage 2 upgrade. Cold Air intake, chip, and exhaust upgrade - anyone already upgraded? Do you like the results?

I see where some of you have already installed a new airtake, have you noticed much improvement in performance and fuel (mph)?

Any other tips?
Thanks in advance for your help.

[Nvincent4708]

1 - No issues with the steering wheel here.

2 - Cold air is great. Exhaust depends where you want to go.. If you don't care about your warranty.. Long tube headers will be great. A chip.. not a good way to go, a custom tune for the mods you will do is the better way, but remember..warranty = GONE.

[Sir Nuke]

Myaghi24, CONGRATS, and to some of your ???'s

1. no issues here....but as far as the angle.....may sound stupid, but did you adjust it? it can go up and down and in and out... I'm jsut say'in.

2. for you to get the best bang for your buck, do the upgrade all and once, the CAI, and the Exhaust, althought you have already done that, or maybe you wanting ti change that too.... there is no CHIP, but you can get a TUNE...and yes it will make a difference, depending on the CAI/Exhaust/Tune.....and JUST SO YA KNOW.....the TUNE WILL VIOD Your Power Train Warrantee.

oh and btw......Welcome to our happy little corner of the net, and to Camaro5. There is a BIG fridge on the back porch with anything you can think of in them...help yourself...of course only take what you can LEGALLY have. Make yourself at home on one of the big fluffy couches, kick your shoes off, put your feet up on one of the tables, yes we are allowed to do that, mom's and wive's here don't care....and take it easy.



oh...btw....every once in a while a food fight breaks out...so you may not want to wear nice clothes here.

Welcome!!

[Nvincent4708]

ah yes.. sir nuke said it best. i forgot

WELCOME!

[CaniacFan]

Welcome to the C5 family... You are pretty much required though to put up a picture of your camaro here - members will flame you for not adding it - so even if it's on your phone, do it...

1) Steering: Never even been a thought. I just can't adjust mine so that I can see the top of the dials (i'm tall though, almost 6'1")..
2) Exhaust: Just had a Borla S-Type axleback put on as I wasn't interested in headers and such (hence didn't need catback) and love it - it's the way a stock V8 should sound. Also put on a CAI Inc intake (less than an hour for the install and if truely a DIY mod).

Rest is up to you. I haven't had a tune - didn't want to void my warranty as my Camaro is a DD (daily driver).. Window tint is a great appearance mod, but make sure you check your states legal limit (i.e. 35%, etc.).

Good Luck. Lori

[TSSUNAMI]

1. As others have stated, the wheel is very adjustable. Give it some time and try some different settings with it. Took me about 10 hours of driving to get it right. (accomplished that in my first two days of ownership btw, I LOVE driving this car!)

2. Again, as mentioned, and there is no way around this (Trust me, if there was one, someone her would have found it!) A chip/tune WILL void your powertrain warranty.

That being said, there are some great CAI kits out there. All the info you need on them will be in the LS3/L99 bolt on section of these forums.

Now, if you don't care about the warranty, this is what I personally would do:

You've already dropped the coin on the Touring Catback. Which isn't cheap. (a little over a grand if I'm not mistaken) Why not go with a nice set of headers, hi flow cats, and a tune from a REPUTABLE tuner. (also can be found here)

You will end up with a more agressive sound, I have heard that the Borla Touring (as well as the S-Type) Sound incredible with headers. You will also see a very nice HP gain with headers and a tune.

No sense dropping another 1000+dollars just to get some sound and virtually no HP gain.

Again, this is only if you don't care about keeping that powertrain warranty.

Just my 2c

Congratulations on your new ride! Would love to see pics! WELCOME TO C5!

[Myaghi24]

Love this site already, very helpful. I know the steering wheel question was rather lame but it's an issue for me and I know about the adjustment. I'm getting the sense because I work on a computer all day that it could be CPS(?)

Anyhow, certainly NOT looking to void the warranty as my car just turned 4000 miles and plan on keeping it for quite some time. I figured the best bet and rather the least expensive over the headers for now is the CAI. That won't void the warranty, correct? Also, for those who have already installed, does your car sound better, run better and slightly better fuel economy?

I will for sure upload a picture of my Camaro - it's Cyber Gray. I had the Dealer tint the windows when I picked her up.

Thank you for the replies - very helpful.

[RubyCamaro]

Congrats & welcome aboard. You will find the Borla sounds better with time. There is "gunk" in the muffler that will burn off in time & the sound & responsiveness improves quite a bit. It also does sound better with a good cold air intake. I am partial to the CAI inc. Just my 2 cents. See ya around C5.

[TSSUNAMI]

Cyber Grey FTW!!!!

*Edit*

Here's an idea!

Why not a set of Solo Hi flow cats?

Won't require a tune, or void your warranty, will increase the sound, and give a marginal HP gain.

Think they run about 600ish new.

[Myaghi24]

My 13 year old daughter standing next to my car the 1st day I brought the car home. She has already asked if this will be hers when she turns 16...bwahaaaaaaa...

[joeysSS]

I want the CAI!

[Myaghi24]

From what I've read, appears CAI seems to be at the top of the intake preference. I'm glad I found this website. My next upgrade will be the CAI and then maybe next year, headers but still 50/50 on that as I don't want to mess with anything that'll void the warranty.

For me, any improvement to the sound and HP is a plus however slight it maybe. I have a guy at work with a '05 Saleen Mustang that wants to go head to head and I'll pass, FOR NOW.

[CamaroFemme]

I'm 5'4" and have no problems, even on a non-stop 3-hour drive. The driver's seat has 8-way power adjustment so experiment and find what is perfect for you.

I think I read somewhere on here that the next Camaro will have a "smaller, more ergonomic" steering wheel, so you might get one of those (try the search feature.)