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Old 07-09-2012, 01:57 AM   #1
zer0ss
 
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Drives: 2012 Camaro V6 LFX
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Alabama
Posts: 101
Zer0ss's Darkheart

There's a story of woe surrounding this car.

On June 8th I had to put my 10 year old cat down.

On June 10th, I drove to Lander's McLarty in Huntsville with a scheduled test drive of a black 2012 V6 2LS and a couple hours later, I had the keys in hand.



Elegant, curvy, and within my budget, a trifecta.



I raced out to get the proper cleaning supplies, and for 3 glorious hours in 100 degree heat, I detailed her until my arms were sore.



The next few days were a blur as I set out to purchase a vast majority of my short term mods.

Five short days passed and and on the passing of the sixth day so did my father.

RIP D.L.B. Jr. 6/18/1954 - 6/16/2012. I carry on his name, the little suffix at the end of my name never meant so much. He died a day before Father's day, and 2 days shy of his 58th birthday.

Though not a major consideration in it's purchase, I thought by me owning and working on my Camaro that it would remind him of how he felt about his Chevy Nova, that he sold many years ago. I learned to get under a car because of him, those frigid winters and boiling summers holding a flash light and 'go-fer-ing' tools as a kid.

Among his three children, I the only son and middle child, was named executor of the estate. Probate is cruel, redundant, and at times completely illogical. I sat down one day at work and in excel computed a tripling of my annual "Cost-to-Live", this drove me to walk into my boss's boss office and explain my finical woes. I recieved a 14.8% raise after receiving an 11% raise in March. In three months time, my salary increased a hair over 29% - not too shabby, but they know I'm worth it.

In the process of handling the affairs of my father's estate; backing into home ownership from just being an apartment tenant, realizing that I have a complete dependent in the form of my still in college with no-job sister, and that my raise will only do so much unless I start mitigating cost, I decided to leave work a little early to talk turkey with AT&T about our current phone plan. I stopped at a red light. I was in the left lane, first car at the light, and 3 cars were stopped in the right lane. A screech, I look into the rear-view and a Ranger XLT is 30 feet off my bumper with its tires locked and the front end submarined. I casually glanced out over the dash, hands at 10 and 2 and closed my eyes. BOOM.



and



Of course his tags were dead, of course the insurance card he handed me was his fathers (the driver was 48) and expired 7 years ago. But he did have a valid driver's license and no one was injured. The cops came and went, and I drove off (all rear lights in functioning order) as the wrecker came for his truck.

It was only after filing the claim I found out the difference between a 500 and 250 deductible was 38$ every 6 months...

I await the call from the dealership that a new rear fascia and diffuser arrive and the 80/20 rental has been set up.

Still, sitting in that driver's seat, it puts a grin on my face. No easy task these days.
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Old 07-09-2012, 01:59 AM   #2
zer0ss
 
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Drives: 2012 Camaro V6 LFX
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Alabama
Posts: 101
Current Mods:
  • Legal window tint (30%)
  • RX Catch Can
  • Drake's Front Bowtie Delete
  • GM Sills and Kick Plates
  • Drake's Reverse Light Bezels
  • Plasti-Dipped Tail light Bezels
Parts Ordered:
  • MRT 2.0 Axle-Back Exhaust (have)
  • CAI Cold Air Intake (Black Powder Coat) (next week)
  • ADM Scoop and WW Relocation Kit (have)
  • Spyder Dual CCFL Projector Headlights (have)
  • Black Camaro Concept Side Markers with Ghost Option (2-3 week lead)
  • AAC Fog Light Upgrade for LS Owners (next week)
Still to order:
  • Afterburner CCFL Tail light kit
  • ZL1 Side Rockers
Fingers Crossed:
  • LFX Ported Throttle Body
DIY Project:
  • Back Bowtie Blackout
  • Engine Cover Custom Paint (in process)
Dreaming:
  • ZL1 Front End from Gary's Custom painted with hood line match + Ofer's Harness
  • ZL1 Splitter
  • Seibon Hood TSII
  • Black Interior panels
In 2 years or so:
  • RX FI Kit [In the works]
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Old 07-14-2012, 03:30 PM   #3
zer0ss
 
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Drives: 2012 Camaro V6 LFX
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Alabama
Posts: 101
Car is going to the dealership first thing Monday morning for repair, no estimated time for repair given at present. Still have no word from State Farm on the other car having insurance, so it appears that I'll be footing the deductible. Minor door ding on driver's side, happened from a customer at work being taken to lunch in a co-workers truck - they didn't even have the decency to tell me when it happened. I'll ask if it can be fixed while she's in the shop.

Quote:
Originally Posted by zer0ss View Post
Current Mods:
  • Legal window tint (30%)
  • RX Catch Can
  • Drake's Front Bowtie Delete
  • GM Sills and Kick Plates
  • Drake's Reverse Light Bezels
  • Plasti-Dipped Tail light Bezels
Parts Ordered:
  • MRT 2.0 Axle-Back Exhaust (have)
  • CAI Cold Air Intake (Black Powder Coat) (next week?)
  • ADM Scoop and WW Relocation Kit (have)
  • Spyder Dual CCFL Projector Headlights (have)
  • Black Camaro Concept Side Markers with Ghost Option (2-3 week lead)
  • AAC Fog Light Upgrade for LS Owners (have)
Still to order:
  • Afterburner CCFL Tail light kit
  • ZL1 Side Rockers
  • Dual Add-a-fuse, wires, and 2 toggles to put Spyder Halos and Fog lights on own circuits.
  • AAC fog light halo kit (?)
Fingers Crossed:
  • LFX Ported Throttle Body
DIY Project:
  • Back Bowtie Blackout
  • Engine Cover Custom Paint (90% complete)
Dreaming:
  • ZL1 Front End from Gary's Custom painted with hood line match + Ofer's Harness
  • ZL1 Splitter
  • Seibon Hood TSII (painted black except heat extraction trays)
  • Black Interior panels
  • Double DIN Nav Head Unit, Amp, Subs, Speaker upgrades
In 2 years or so:
  • RX FI Kit [In the works]
Updated.

Looking to make a multi-mod DIY during the next weekend I have time. Will be putting her on jack stands, removing the front fascia (to install headlights and fogs), and wheel liners (for ADM Scoop/WW Relocation kit/CAI intake) and installing the MRT v2 exhaust.
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Old 07-15-2012, 11:03 PM   #4
Buck Heard
 
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Drives: 2012 Victory Red 1SS/RS
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Meridianville, AL
Posts: 254
Sorry to hear about all of your troubles. Hope things turn around for you soon. Don't know if you're in the mood to hear something funny but some buddies at work had mentioned that someone at the business next door had just gotten a new Camaro. I had just gotten mine back in May. After looking at your photos I think your car was the one. West Park Loop?
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Old 07-16-2012, 12:52 AM   #5
zer0ss
 
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Drives: 2012 Camaro V6 LFX
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Alabama
Posts: 101
Yep. That'd be mine. Accident happened in Decatur though. I'm the seismic engineer in that building on the loop. Small world.
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Old 07-16-2012, 03:13 AM   #6
pierre777
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Drives: Cyber Bullet
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: lebanon
Posts: 4,555
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sorry for your accident man , as for your mods sounds like you're off for a good start, keep it up.
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Old 07-16-2012, 07:23 AM   #7
Buck Heard
 
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Drives: 2012 Victory Red 1SS/RS
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Meridianville, AL
Posts: 254
Small world for sure. PM me when you get your car back. Maybe we could meet, swap mod ideas and I could see your car up close? That didn't come off creepy did it? Ha ha.
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Old 07-18-2012, 12:49 AM   #8
zer0ss
 
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Drives: 2012 Camaro V6 LFX
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Alabama
Posts: 101
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buck Heard View Post
Small world for sure. PM me when you get your car back. Maybe we could meet, swap mod ideas and I could see your car up close? That didn't come off creepy did it? Ha ha.
Sounds good, she's in the shop now and found that the rear body pan is cracked, entire crush bumper needs to be replaced, and some other odds and ends, it'll be some time next week before I get her back.
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Old 07-18-2012, 08:23 AM   #9
Buck Heard
 
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Drives: 2012 Victory Red 1SS/RS
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Meridianville, AL
Posts: 254
I could tell you not to stress but I would be a hypocrite. I have had a clicking, rattling noise in my engine since day one and it has been driving me crazy. I had taken it to a dealer here in town and they just chocked it up to standard noisy LS3 sounds. After hearing another guys car here locally I am convinced there is more to it so I am taking it back to the dealer I bought it from in Decatur Friday and I'm going to have them look it over for me. My OCD is killing me. I think I need to trade it in for a Toyota. Best wishes on your car's recovery man.
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Old 07-18-2012, 08:04 PM   #10
zer0ss
 
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Drives: 2012 Camaro V6 LFX
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Alabama
Posts: 101
Current Mods:
  • Legal window tint (30%)
  • RX Catch Can
  • Drake's Front Bowtie Delete
  • GM Sills and Kick Plates
  • Drake's Reverse Light Bezels
  • Plasti-Dipped Tail light Bezels
Parts Ordered:
  • MRT 2.0 Axle-Back Exhaust (have)
  • CAI Cold Air Intake (Black Powder Coat) (have)
  • ADM Scoop and WW Relocation Kit (have)
  • Spyder Dual CCFL Projector Headlights (have)
  • Black Camaro Concept Side Markers with Ghost Option (2-3 week lead)
  • AAC Fog Light Upgrade for LS Owners (have)
  • VMAX Ported Throttle Body (Shipping this weekend???)
Still to order:
  • Afterburner CCFL Tail light kit
  • ZL1 Side Rockers
  • Dual Add-a-fuse, wires, and 2 toggles to put Spyder Halos and Fog lights on own circuits
DIY Project:

  • Back Bowtie Blackout
  • Engine Cover Custom Paint (91% complete)
Dreaming:
  • ZL1 Front End from Gary's Custom painted with hood line match + Ofer's Harness
  • ZL1 Splitter
  • Seibon Hood TSII (painted black except heat extraction trays)
  • Black Interior panels
  • Double DIN Nav Head Unit, Amp, Subs, Speaker upgrades
In 2 years or so:
  • RX FI Kit [In the works]


Updated. Hopefully by next weekend, I will be able to get my car back from the shop, and install the collection of parts that are piling up. In the mean time, driving a 2012 Mercedes-Benz C250 Sedan... it's not a Camaro.
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Old 07-26-2012, 08:05 AM   #11
Buck Heard
 
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Drives: 2012 Victory Red 1SS/RS
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Meridianville, AL
Posts: 254
Did you get your car back Zer0? Hope Landers did you right.
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Old 07-26-2012, 10:04 AM   #12
zer0ss
 
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Drives: 2012 Camaro V6 LFX
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Alabama
Posts: 101
Quote:
Originally Posted by Buck Heard View Post
Did you get your car back Zer0? Hope Landers did you right.
Got it back from Landers yesterday afternoon - there are some minor scratches on the interior of the fender wall where the body line meets the trunk lid. I'm considering going to take it back over there some time today - but it could be repaired with touch up easily.

Quote:
Originally Posted by zer0ss View Post
Current Mods:
  • Legal window tint (30%)
  • RX Catch Can
  • Drake's Front Bowtie Delete
  • GM Sills and Kick Plates
  • Drake's Reverse Light Bezels (need to reinstall)
  • Plasti-Dipped Tail light Bezels (need to be repainted)
Parts Ordered:

  • MRT 2.0 Axle-Back Exhaust (have)
  • CAI Cold Air Intake (Black Powder Coat) (have)
  • ADM Scoop and WW Relocation Kit (have)
  • Spyder Dual CCFL Projector Headlights (have)
  • Black Camaro Concept Side Markers with Ghost Option (have)
  • AAC Fog Light Upgrade for LS Owners (have)
  • VMAX Ported Throttle Body (Shipping next Monday?)
Still to order:

  • Afterburner CCFL Tail light kit
  • ZL1 Side Rockers
  • Dual Add-a-fuse, wires, and 2 toggles to put Spyder Halos and Fog lights on own circuits
DIY Project:


  • Back Bowtie Blackout
  • Engine Cover Custom Paint (99% complete)
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Old 08-05-2012, 05:21 PM   #13
zer0ss
 
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Drives: 2012 Camaro V6 LFX
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Alabama
Posts: 101
Quote:
Originally Posted by zer0ss View Post
Current Mods:
  • Legal window tint (30%)
  • RX Catch Can
  • Drake's Front Bowtie Delete
  • GM Sills and Kick Plates
  • Drake's Reverse Light Bezels
  • Plasti-Dipped Tail light Bezels
  • CAI Cold Air Intake (Black Powder Coat)
  • ADM Scoop and WW Relocation Kit
  • Black Camaro Concept Side Markers with Ghost Option
Parts Ordered:
  • MRT 2.0 Axle-Back Exhaust (installing tomorrow)
  • Spyder Dual CCFL Projector Headlights (have)
  • AAC Fog Light Upgrade for LS Owners (have)
  • VMAX Ported Throttle Body (Shipping Soon)
  • Dual Add-a-fuse, wires, and 2 toggles to put Spyder Halos and Fog lights on own circuits (have all parts)
  • Jet Power Module (Delivery Next Week)
Still to order:
  • Afterburner CCFL Tail light kit
  • ZL1 Side Rockers
DIY Project:
  • Back Bowtie Blackout
  • Engine Cover Custom Paint (99% complete - drying)
Dreaming:
  • ZL1 Front End from Gary's Custom painted with hood line match + Ofer's Harness
  • ZL1 Splitter
  • Seibon Hood TSII (painted black except heat extraction trays)
  • Black Interior panels
  • Double DIN Nav Head Unit, Amp, Subs, Speaker upgrades
In 2 years or so:
  • RX FI Kit [In the works]
Got the time this weekend to install the scoop/CAI/WW relocation kit.

For anyone looking for sequence to install the 3 piece combination.
  1. Put the car up on jack stands and remove the driver side front tire and wheel liner.
  2. Remove the factory bottle and airbox.
  3. For the 2012 - do not use the 2010-2011 image for reference for cutting away the plastic behind the lower grill - try a dry fit. You will have to take much more off.
  4. Install the scoop.
  5. Install the CAI Intake.
  6. Then install the washer bottle - otherwise you'll be playing around with fitting the intake in with the roto-fab bottle relocation kit in the way and having to reroute your washer bottle lines.
  7. Reinstall wheel liner and tire and enjoy.
I'll have pictures up shortly but I was racing to beat the heat and the impending rain. Took her for a test drive and man does she growl at WOT now. Hoping to get my MRT2.0 exhaust installed tomorrow. Total install time was about 4 hours, working at my own speed, by myself.
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Old 08-23-2012, 09:42 PM   #14
zer0ss
 
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Drives: 2012 Camaro V6 LFX
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: Alabama
Posts: 101
Current Mods:
  • Legal window tint (30%)
  • RX Catch Can
  • Drake's Front Bowtie Delete
  • GM Sills and Kick Plates
  • Drake's Reverse Light Bezels
  • Plasti-Dipped Tail light Bezels
  • CAI Cold Air Intake (Black Powder Coat)
  • ADM Scoop and WW Relocation Kit
  • Black Camaro Concept Side Markers with Ghost Option
  • MRT 2.0 Axle-Back Exhaust
  • VMAX Ported Throttle Body
  • Custom Painted Engine Cover
Parts Ordered:
  • Spyder Dual CCFL Projector Headlights (have)
  • AAC Fog Light Upgrade for LS Owners (have)
  • Dual Add-a-fuse, wires, and 2 toggles to put Spyder Halos and Fog lights on own circuits (have all parts)
  • Jet Power Module (have)
Still to order:
  • Afterburner CCFL Tail light kit
  • ZL1 Side Rockers
Dreaming:
  • Seibon Hood TSII (painted black except heat extraction trays)
  • Black Interior panels
  • Double DIN Nav Head Unit, Amp, Subs, Speaker upgrades
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