Torn on a decision

[spadz93]

Hey guys, currently facing a bit of a difficult decision (at least in my book). Currently, I have all of the parts (short of the springs/retainers) to do a cam swap on my 10 SS. With all of my other mods in addition to everything I'd be putting on, i'd be right around 480rwhp.

However, the car has 76k miles on it. I know these LS engines are tough as nails, but everything else after 100k miles I start to worry about. Recently, i've been toying with the idea of selling/trading in at 100k towards something a little faster. Candidates include a c6 z06, 08+ cts-v, 2012+ gt500 (flame suit on), and a ZL1. I have a serious sweet tooth for the z06 and the cts-v coupes. All would be manual and under 45k miles.

My question here is, if you were in my shoes, would you pull the trigger on the cam swap, or sell the parts and store the cash to start putting together a hefty down-payment on a new ride? This would probably happen in about a year or two after the car is paid off and I have a big enough sum of cash. I know the argument of "enjoy the time without car payments" will pop up, which is also a viable option.

TL;DR cam swap @ 75k miles or sell parts for another fast ride?

[redcoats1976]

unless youve really beat the crap out of your car i would think youd be money ahead by keeping it,unless youre just looking for a different car.

[ClawSS]

I'll bite. I'm the "enjoy the time without car payments" guy even though I usually don't ever have one of those times. But just think how much fun it would be to enjoy the time with the new cam.

Didn't help did I?

[Flotek]

I'd say it depends on how long you want to keep the car .. If it's a matter of dumping it in 1-2 years I'd just drive it and save , if your thinking of holding it for another 3-4 years I'd build it up some and throw a hot cam in it .

[spadz93]

I'm torn with liking the camaro, but also liking the idea of change. This december will be the third year anniversary of having the camaro. I'd say if I kept the camaro, it would be a max of another 2 years or 100-110k miles, whichever comes first. In terms of enjoying the time with the cam, I definitely would enjoy the power, and of course that sound. I've just always loved the cts-v and the z06. The gt500 i just threw into the mix because it fits the criteria i'm trying to stick to (500hp, manual, v8, remotely affordable pending mileage)

The ZL1, at least for my use, i feel like i'd be dropping 20k (after DP and selling/trading in the car) on a supercharger and some suspension/braking upgrades that I wouldn't really use unless I go to the track. I don't doubt for a second that it's an amazing car, but it would essentially just be another camaro, just faster. I wouldn't really be getting that *change* factor i'm after in terms of form as well, which I feel that if i'm spending a high amount of cash, I should be able to expect

Side note: I tend to be a bit of a spirited driver, guilty as charged

[sledgehammer]

Three years now without a car payment. Actually have been paying myself now at a slightly lower rate. Enjoy the non payment while you can.

The CTS is a sweet ride but expensive.

Another option is if you just want some change and still save some cash. Put the cam in get the car professionally detailed inside and out and add some tasteful stripes or a nice set of used wheels. She will look and sound better and the detail will make her feel crisp and new again.

Good problems to have. Enjoy whatever you do.

[Avenging Orange]

Kind of sounds like you already made up your mind. I'd save my money towards the new beast.

[spadz93]

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

Kind of sounds like you already made up your mind. I'd save my money towards the new beast.

I really want to go the vette route, but on the same token, I really do enjoy the camaro

[Outlaw77]

Well OP I was in the same boat as you last year. Last year I really wanted a ZL1. I've has my 2SS since new in July of 2010. I left her stock for 4 years. When she about 70,000 km's I was thinking really hard on trading it in for a ZL1 or do I supercharge and cam the SS. I still owed on the SS and at the end of the day I decided to keep the SS and mod the hell out of it. When I look back I am still very happy I kept my SS. In another year or so it will be paid off and and I'm still just as in love with it as I was on the first day I bought it. Once I made the decision I never looked back and doubted it.

Either way you can't go wrong with the choices in front of you. I'd love a corvette but not yet for me. Good luck man!

[homewrecker]

Also, find out how much you can get for it. If you don't command a decent coin or if you're getting lowballed don't do it. Don't give it away.

FIRE-EMS-Tundra-Club
Member #88

[spadz93]

Update: i'm dead set on a stingray, preferably with the z51 package. Can't get enough of their looks, and the removable roof was awesome when I rented the stingray z06 for my birthday weekend (c6 z06 doesn't have targa roof). Not to mention the interior on the c6 vettes really isn't anything to write home about.

Now the saving begins... I'm also trading in when my down-payment is big enough, so there will be a nice de-mod sale at some point in my future

[christianchevell]

I guess maybe if the Camaro was cammed you would feel different about it but you have let it be unmodded too much to this point so a fairly easy un mod could make it more presentable for trade in as in your still making payments. Me myself I did not buy this Camaro to trade it in-----but things are nice looking in the store window...Temptation is always there.
I traded in a 2011 triple black vert l99 to get the coupe I wanted in the color I wanted and its all it should be stroked, ported and cammed and it has a lot more it could give N/A with a better intake and a more aggressive cam some day.
My cars feel though..damn fast and that's what matters as a vehicle is a package. Either your investing in it earnestly or have the eye on a prize down the road. The grand sport model is out again and that's a deal usually for corvette owners....
Sounds as if you have made up your own mind, and sort of chickened out at investing in a cam job. Which to be honest investing in modding the engine results in loss of money from parts: better oil, and eventually swapping out springs down the road.
But results in so much more fun, I forget how loud my old hot rods were until I go to a car show.... and see all us cammed beasts lumbering down the avenue barking tires and snarling with engine roar and amongst them I am sneaky sounding with my exhaust until I stomp on it.... Love the car you have? you Cheated on it ....LOL

[JerTM]

Originally Posted by christianchevell

I guess maybe if the Camaro was cammed you would feel different about it but you have let it be unmodded too much to this point so a fairly easy un mod could make it more presentable for trade in as in your still making payments. Me myself I did not buy this Camaro to trade it in-----but things are nice looking in the store window...Temptation is always there. I traded in a 2011 triple black vert l99 to get the coupe I wanted in the color I wanted and its all it should be stroked, ported and cammed and it has a lot more it could give N/A with a better intake and a more aggressive cam some day. My cars feel though..damn fast and that's what matters as a vehicle is a package. Either your investing in it earnestly or have the eye on a prize down the road. The grand sport model is out again and that's a deal usually for corvette owners.... Sounds as if you have made up your own mind, and sort of chickened out at investing in a cam job. Which to be honest investing in modding the engine results in loss of money from parts: better oil, and eventually swapping out springs down the road. But results in so much more fun, I forget how loud my old hot rods were until I go to a car show.... and see all us cammed beasts lumbering down the avenue barking tires and snarling with engine roar and amongst them I am sneaky sounding with my exhaust until I stomp on it.... Love the car you have? you Cheated on it ....LOL

Holy crap, do you ever breathe before posting? I'm not trying to attack, I just see you posting a wall of text every post.

I agree completely with you though, a good cam would change his opinion if he hasn't already let the mundane "stockness" of his Camaro let him lose interest. I would love a C7, but not if it meant losing my Camaro.