Week of bolt ons - CAI Headers and tune

[14AGMSS]

After about almost two years I decide to change my goals for the car. I told myself that I would keep this car stock after trading in a modified GTO. Well I gave it a good try but failed. A month ago I ordered some new toys for the Camaro and after waiting for parts to arrive and the weather get warm enough I finally got started this week.

CAI
Sunday I installed a ROTO-FAB CAI. The install went pretty well after reading posts and DIY's. The hardest part was removing the stock breather tube. Some posts recommended twisting it around get to the retainer tab. When I did snapped off at the stock intact. I was committed at that point. All went well though.
First impression on just the CAI. The "roar" that came from the engine bay under aggressive acceleration was cool. Not really any noticeable performance gain as was expected.

Headers
Yesterday/Tuesday I had headers install with cats. I was really excited about this for both the performance and sound. The Stainless Power headers were well made and fit well. We did had to disconnect the steering shaft to make it easier. Also the boot covering the u-joint was close by ok.
First impression. When we cranked it up it was just a little louder than stock. I was really underwhelmed. The stock exhaust with resonator and mufflers REALLY quieted it down. At low rpms it was barely noticeable. I didn't run it to hard without a tune.

Tune
Today/Wednesday I came home and loaded the SCT tune I got from dynosteve. It took about 15 minutes or so start to finish so have something to read on your phone while you sweat this out.
First impression. Wow. This brought it all together. As soon as give it some gas and the transmission shifts you know it is different. The shifts were firm and feel good. I hit the highway and put my foot into it a bunch of times. The headers were roaring and this thing really takes off now. I am impressed with the way the car runs and shifts. Thanks Dynosteve!!


However, I am not really not happy with the stock exhaust with headers. It is really quiet at low RPM's. I am looking at options for drone free exhaust with headers.

[justjoshin]

I had the same impression of my car after the same mods. So I replaced the stock mufflers with magnaflows and it sounds a lot better.

[G701LE]

Glad your mods went well. I just spent 3 HOURS installing the Phastek scoop and WW relocate with a CAI. Man, those directions leave a little to be desired if you ask me. Pretty much gave up on them and figured it out myself. Next for me is SW headers. As easy as that looks I am not tricking myself into thinking it won't take me ALL day....LOL. CAI install........3 hours........pffft.

[JWade]

I did just about the exact same, traded in a modded GTO too. I have been happy with the L99 version of the MBRP exhaust. Nice deep tone with just a bit of rasp on hard acceleration. Not obnoxious under normal driving but still aggressive enough to have some fun when you want to rev it up.

[Avenging Orange]

Try getting rid of that bulky resonator.....really mucks up the L99 stock exhaust if you ask me. The mufflers are different than the LS3 also. But, I would suggest replacing the resonaror with an x-pipe first....see what you think. You start getting drone with aftermarket cat backs.

[RupertPupkin]

Hahaha..I told my wife when i got the SS the car wont get it mdded like the G8 (cammed). 1 week later, I bought lowering springs. Today I purchased an intake, in a week ill have a set of headers. All of which will be shipped to my work... she will NEVER know.

[14AGMSS]

Originally Posted by G701LE

Glad your mods went well. I just spent 3 HOURS installing the Phastek scoop and WW relocate with a CAI. Man, those directions leave a little to be desired if you ask me. Pretty much gave up on them and figured it out myself. Next for me is SW headers. As easy as that looks I am not tricking myself into thinking it won't take me ALL day....LOL. CAI install........3 hours........pffft.

That's pretty good time wise. I told the wife " I'll just be an hour installing the CAI. No problem... Ha.. She knows that meant 2. " . I took my time but had to research how to remove the breather tube.

[14AGMSS]

I'm not sure about the exhaust now. I drive on the highway everyday to work and occasional trips so I am concerned about drone. I want to hear the engine purr as I'm cruising but not really wake the neighborhood up like my GTO did.

[pyroguy]

I'm extremely excited for my tune this year, but if you're looking for a huge wake up for the exhaust get Solo's Mach XL catback. She sounds like a V8 Camaro should and she screams when you're getting on it!!