Getting Bored need something more... - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

frenchsquared · 12-09-2018, 09:04 AM

So I am kinda bored with the Z28. it just doesn't have the power I want. I was thinking about getting a Hellcat but I cannot really afford both and will not trade the Z28 for anything so common.

So... I think its time for a cam, headers and tune. Im located centrally in Colorado and I am more then willing to travel but would like to be able to get it done in say a weeks time drop of to pick up. Is this crazy?

My thought is to trailer the car to whatever shop I finally decide on. Drop the car off, get a hotel and spend a week playing in whatever city I end up while the Z28 gets upgraded. When done I simply head home with a faster car.

I think the $6,000 range is fine. Im fine waiting a few months for my spot in line. Im not fine leaving the car at a shop for 2 years. I dropped my C5 Corvette of to have the engine rebuilt. Was at 598 at the rear wheels on a A&A Kit. A little over 2 years later and 3 engines later I delivered the car to the kid I sold it to. Shop left the car sitting out side. Trashed the paint and fiberglass. First engine lasted 3 laps. 2 warm up and 1 hot lap. Second engine blew under 150 miles from the shop. Car is still running on its 3rd engine but it's now an iron block and pretty trashed out. I lost $20,000. This experience is going to make it very hard for me to trust a shop. If the shop cannot complete a cam swap in a week then I wont do it. Ill just buy a hellcat to go with my Z28. Or I will buy the books and do the cam swap myself. I know I wont screw it up more then the best rated shop in Colorado.

What shops do you all recommend?
Are there any shops reading this that can do it in a week or less?
For those who have done this, how much HP did you gain?

MX621 · 12-09-2018, 09:27 AM

Do you track the car?

frenchsquared · 12-09-2018, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MX621

Do you track the car?

Yes, thats about all I do with the car.

hjdca · 12-09-2018, 09:41 AM

Good Plan, except....

"Drop the car off, get a hotel and spend a week playing in whatever city I end up while the Z28 gets upgraded. When done I simply head home with a faster car. "

Here is my experience in California.... On a previous Mustang Cobra, I blew 2 motors, a couple of trannys, and I have buddies that have got engine work done. Never, not one time, no matter what builder or vendor that I, or my friends used, have the motors been done even remotely on time....

MX621 · 12-09-2018, 09:48 AM

https://youtu.be/ONh-xGpVXrI
Fast forward to about 13 min. Something like this should make the car more exciting. 575-600whp is the norm these days for heads/cam/headers ls7. Maybe a little less if u went with a dedicated roads race cam. This shop is local to me, not close to you, but a example of what is possible. I didn’t see heads being fixed in your plans. I would highly suggest it. The z/28 forums seems to think the ls7 head problem isn’t a issue with our cars and that gm corrected it. It very much is still an issue.. Soon as my car is out of warranty heads will be fixed. You must be a pretty seasoned/advanced driver if you are wanting more power on track.

frenchsquared · 12-09-2018, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MX621

https://youtu.be/ONh-xGpVXrI
Fast forward to about 13 min. Something like this should make the car more exciting. 575-600whp is the norm these days for heads/cam/headers ls7. Maybe a little less if u went with a dedicated roads race cam. This shop is local to me, not close to you, but a example of what is possible. I didn’t see heads being fixed in your plans. I would highly suggest it. The z/28 forums seems to think the ls7 head problem isn’t a issue with our cars and that gm corrected it. It very much is still an issue.. Soon as my car is out of warranty heads will be fixed. You must be a pretty seasoned/advanced driver if you are wanting more power on track.

Previous car was a 600 RWHP C5 Corvette. I am faster in the Z28 but its way less fun. The added weight and less power makes for a boring ride for me. I really miss having 600 RWHP. I am fine controlling it on the track, but I just don't drive the car for fun. I want to take it out for a Sunday drive and be able to obliterate the tires like the Corvette would.

frenchsquared · 12-09-2018, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hjdca

Here is my experience in California.... On a previous Mustang Cobra, I blew 2 motors, a couple of trannys, and I have buddies that have got engine work done. Never, not one time, no matter what builder or vendor that I, or my friends used, have the motors been done even remotely on time....

I agree... and if that is the case I will buy a hellcat. I am not letting this car sit outside a shop for 3 years. Its way to nice and to expensive.

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 12-09-2018, 10:07 AM

I think in reality your time table need to be up to 4 weeks, and here is why, you need to do the heads, and most shops don't do there own head work, so you have shipping back and forth that's a week in shipping only, if your only doing a cam and springs I see your time table as fine, but after 6000 mi of track time your gives will be loss and need work. IMO

You don't want to throw that cash away with out fixing the heads and a valve job, if not port and polish job too.

frenchsquared · 12-09-2018, 10:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SSRS@Gen5diy

I think in reality your time table need to be up to 4 weeks, and here is why, you need to do the heads, and most shops don't do there own head work, so you have shipping back and forth that's a week in shipping only, if your only doing a cam and springs I see your time table as fine, but after 6000 mi of track time your gives will be loss and need work. IMO

You don't want to throw that cash away with out fixing the heads and a valve job, if not port and polish job too.

I agree if I was doing heads. The only thing a shop will be doing is changing the cam and dyno tune. Honestly, that is 1 day of work. If the heads need work I can take it to GM and have them do that under warranty. Im fine dropping $3000 on a cam and tune now.... Car only has 9,000 miles. When I am ready to do heads I will likely buy anew set of heads so my car isn't sitting outside or sitting around hourly employees that don't give a flip about someone else's Camaro.

You really think at 9,000 miles it needs work? Should I take it GM now?

MX621 · 12-09-2018, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by frenchsquared

I agree if I was doing heads. The only thing a shop will be doing is changing the cam and dyno tune. Honestly, that is 1 day of work. If the heads need work I can take it to GM and have them do that under warranty. Im fine dropping $3000 on a cam and tune now.... Car only has 9,000 miles. When I am ready to do heads I will likely buy anew set of heads so my car isn't sitting outside or sitting around hourly employees that don't give a flip about someone else's Camaro.

You really think at 9,000 miles it needs work? Should I take it GM now?

I would bet money they are out of spec. I’m leaving my car bone stock till the power train warr is up.

j o n · 12-09-2018, 02:13 PM

If you're doing a cam you have to get the valve guides done, whether it's your stock heads being done or new heads.

JDP is in Utah. Competes in optima series. So they know road course/autox build needs.

This is their LS7 full heads/cam/intake manifold/headers package details
https://store.jdpmotorsports.com/pro...age-jdp-ep2203

Their profile page on here as well
https://www.camaro5.com/forums/member.php?u=34605

Once you put a cam in the car GM will not warranty the valve guides/heads

greyscale · 12-09-2018, 02:46 PM

I would go to Wyoming speed! I'm from Colorado as well and am in a camaro car club that includes cars from Colorado and Wyoming. When I asked a similar question on what shop to go with for a cam install over 10 people highly recommended Wyoming speed to me. I have heard many good things about that shop and seems to be the only one I don't hear horror stories about. I didnt end up going with that shop because I didnt want to make the drive out there but regretted that decision pretty soon after even though there are so far no issues with my car.

greyscale · 12-09-2018, 02:51 PM

Here's all the responses to my question in our group.

SS-E-YA · 12-09-2018, 04:38 PM

Under Pressure Power & Performance in Colorado Springs, Ask for CK.

12-09-2018, 09:04 AM	#1
frenchsquared Drives: 15 Z28, 01 Corvette, 96 Corvette Join Date: Dec 2016 Location: Colorado Posts: 863	Getting Bored need something more... So I am kinda bored with the Z28. it just doesn't have the power I want. I was thinking about getting a Hellcat but I cannot really afford both and will not trade the Z28 for anything so common. So... I think its time for a cam, headers and tune. Im located centrally in Colorado and I am more then willing to travel but would like to be able to get it done in say a weeks time drop of to pick up. Is this crazy? My thought is to trailer the car to whatever shop I finally decide on. Drop the car off, get a hotel and spend a week playing in whatever city I end up while the Z28 gets upgraded. When done I simply head home with a faster car. I think the $6,000 range is fine. Im fine waiting a few months for my spot in line. Im not fine leaving the car at a shop for 2 years. I dropped my C5 Corvette of to have the engine rebuilt. Was at 598 at the rear wheels on a A&A Kit. A little over 2 years later and 3 engines later I delivered the car to the kid I sold it to. Shop left the car sitting out side. Trashed the paint and fiberglass. First engine lasted 3 laps. 2 warm up and 1 hot lap. Second engine blew under 150 miles from the shop. Car is still running on its 3rd engine but it's now an iron block and pretty trashed out. I lost $20,000. This experience is going to make it very hard for me to trust a shop. If the shop cannot complete a cam swap in a week then I wont do it. Ill just buy a hellcat to go with my Z28. Or I will buy the books and do the cam swap myself. I know I wont screw it up more then the best rated shop in Colorado. What shops do you all recommend? Are there any shops reading this that can do it in a week or less? For those who have done this, how much HP did you gain? __________________ 2018 Sierra RCSB \| 2015 Z28 Camaro \| 1989 B2200 with a 327 \| 1996 LT4 Z51 Corvette \| 1973 427 Nova

12-09-2018, 09:41 AM	#4
hjdca Drives: 2015 Z/28 Black Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 340	Good Plan, except.... "Drop the car off, get a hotel and spend a week playing in whatever city I end up while the Z28 gets upgraded. When done I simply head home with a faster car. " Here is my experience in California.... On a previous Mustang Cobra, I blew 2 motors, a couple of trannys, and I have buddies that have got engine work done. Never, not one time, no matter what builder or vendor that I, or my friends used, have the motors been done even remotely on time.... __________________ 2015 Black Z/28 70 Chevelle SS396 01 M3, 88 Land Cruiser

12-09-2018, 02:13 PM	#11
j o n Drives: 2015 Z/28 #0058 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 814	If you're doing a cam you have to get the valve guides done, whether it's your stock heads being done or new heads. JDP is in Utah. Competes in optima series. So they know road course/autox build needs. This is their LS7 full heads/cam/intake manifold/headers package details https://store.jdpmotorsports.com/pro...age-jdp-ep2203 Their profile page on here as well https://www.camaro5.com/forums/member.php?u=34605 Once you put a cam in the car GM will not warranty the valve guides/heads __________________ Current: - '15 Z/28 #0058 \| White \| A/C \| Speakers \| Michelin PS4S 305/30/19's - '22 Ridgeline RTL \| White \| Ebony, '22 CR-V EX-L Hybrid \| White \| Ebony Sold: - '15 Z/28 #0048 \| White \| A/C \| Speakers \| Michelin PS4S 305/30/19's https://www.instagram.com/__jon__athan__/ Last edited by j o n; 12-09-2018 at 03:19 PM.

12-09-2018, 02:51 PM	#13
greyscale Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 112	Here's all the responses to my question in our group. Attached Images

12-09-2018, 04:38 PM	#14
SS-E-YA Drives: 2015 Camaro Z28, 1974 Turbo Nova Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Kansas Posts: 438	Under Pressure Power & Performance in Colorado Springs, Ask for CK. __________________ 2015 Chevy Camaro Z28 505HP (CURRENT) 1974 Chevy Nova Small Block Forged 350, Turbocharged 600 HP (CURRENT) 2016 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack 485 HP (SOLD) 2014 Ram 1500 Sport (SOLD) 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS (SOLD) 2000 Camaro Z28 Turbocharged 700HP (SOLD) 2005 Dodge Ram SRT10 530HP (SOLD) 2004 Pontiac GTO 425HP (SOLD) 2006 Trailblazer SS 550HP (SOLD)

12-09-2018, 09:27 AM	#2
MX621 Drives: 2014 z28 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: DE Posts: 171	Do you track the car?

12-09-2018, 09:48 AM	#5
MX621 Drives: 2014 z28 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: DE Posts: 171	https://youtu.be/ONh-xGpVXrI Fast forward to about 13 min. Something like this should make the car more exciting. 575-600whp is the norm these days for heads/cam/headers ls7. Maybe a little less if u went with a dedicated roads race cam. This shop is local to me, not close to you, but a example of what is possible. I didn’t see heads being fixed in your plans. I would highly suggest it. The z/28 forums seems to think the ls7 head problem isn’t a issue with our cars and that gm corrected it. It very much is still an issue.. Soon as my car is out of warranty heads will be fixed. You must be a pretty seasoned/advanced driver if you are wanting more power on track.

12-09-2018, 10:07 AM	#8
2SSRS@Gen5diy Drives: 2014 Z/28 #82+#192, 18ZLE 66Nova Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: By the lake in AZ Posts: 15,719 View My Garage	I think in reality your time table need to be up to 4 weeks, and here is why, you need to do the heads, and most shops don't do there own head work, so you have shipping back and forth that's a week in shipping only, if your only doing a cam and springs I see your time table as fine, but after 6000 mi of track time your gives will be loss and need work. IMO You don't want to throw that cash away with out fixing the heads and a valve job, if not port and polish job too.

12-09-2018, 02:46 PM	#12
greyscale Drives: 2010 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Colorado Posts: 112	I would go to Wyoming speed! I'm from Colorado as well and am in a camaro car club that includes cars from Colorado and Wyoming. When I asked a similar question on what shop to go with for a cam install over 10 people highly recommended Wyoming speed to me. I have heard many good things about that shop and seems to be the only one I don't hear horror stories about. I didnt end up going with that shop because I didnt want to make the drive out there but regretted that decision pretty soon after even though there are so far no issues with my car.