"Blueberry" build thread

[wastepile]

Once upon a time... I purchased a 2010 Camaro SS M6 with 57,000 miles for $20,000 in July 2020. My kids are fans of the TV show Psych, so they named it "Blueberry."

Table of Contents

• Existing modifications at the time of purchase (July '20)
• Upgrading the sound system (Aug '20)
• Improving the steering/handling (Sep '22)
• Cold Air Inductions (Sep '22)
• 3.91 Gear Ratio, Upgraded Limited Slip Differential (Oct '22)
• New Wheels (Oct '22)
• Kooks Long Tube Headers & Borla Atak Catback Exhaust (Oct '22)
• Rock Guards (Oct '22)
• Vitesse Throttle Response Controller, VTC (Nov '22)
• Swapped key guts to new shell (Nov '22)
• OBD2 Bluetooth Scanner & Torque App (Nov '22)
• New Shift Knob (Dec '22)
• Pre-Power Upgrades + handling improvements (Jan '23)
• Stealth Subwoofer (July '23)
• Starter Ground Cable (Aug '23)
• Clutch Pedal Stop (Oct '23)

Supporting Mods:

• Torq Polisher (Nov '22)
• Quick Jack (Nov '22)
• Soft Sole Shoes (July '23)

[wastepile]

Existing modifications at the time of purchase (July '20)

The prior owner installed a Hurst short throw shifter, an SLP axle-back exhaust, heads up display, skip-shit eliminator, engine covers, and SS grille inserts.

I measured the dB of the SLP exhaust at idle and then at full throttle. It went from 100.9 to 117 db.

[wastepile]

Upgrading the sound system (Aug '20)

Rear Subwoofer:
JL Audio CP110-W0v3 $184.99

Upgraded front speakers:
JL Audio C5-650 $569.99

New amplifier:
JL Audio XD700/5 5-Channel 700W Class D Amplifier $673.99

Amp mount:
2010-2015 Camaro Factory Fit Amp Mount (5G-FFA) $23.00

Upgraded receiver:
Pioneer AVIC-W8500NEX Receiver $799.99

Dash kit to fit in the new receiver:
PAC RPK5-GM4101 $365

Rear view camera:
Kenwood CMOS-230 $97

[wastepile]

Improving the steering/handling (Sep '22)

The steering felt very loose to me - in that I would need to move the wheel for a longer distance than expected before the car started changing direction. To help with this, I had the following installed and work done:

Steering Rack Bushing:
Whiteline W13149 Rack and Pinion $36.88

Front Lower Control Arm Bushings:
Prothane 7-238-BL Control Arm Bush Kit $79.99

Wheel Alignment $125.00

[wastepile]

Installation was easy and it definitively changes the sound. I didn't notice much change in HP, but I also haven't gone through a tune yet.

Cold Air Intake (Textured Black) / 501-1099-10-B $395.15

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

Love to see new builds still pouring into the member journals section. Sweet ride, looks like you have already caught the mod bug pretty hard. I can't wait to see more of your progress on the build.

[chevy pilot]

Oem rear speakers,how do they work with JL Audio XD700 ?

[wastepile]

Originally Posted by chevy pilot

Oem rear speakers,how do they work with JL Audio XD700 ?

I had a professional installation company (CarToys) do the work and I'm not sure what they did as part of the install. It sounds OK.

[wastepile]

Originally Posted by The_bald_eagle_machine

Love to see new builds still pouring into the member journals section. Sweet ride, looks like you have already caught the mod bug pretty hard. I can't wait to see more of your progress on the build.

I bookmarked your build journal wheel mod, but hadn't gotten around to asking you about it. So thanks for reaching out, it's a great segue into my question.

Are you still happy with the sizes you picked? Is there any rubbing and has there been any rock damage from these wheel/tire sizes? I've seen some build threads where they install rock guards when widening the wheels - I'm not a fan of the look, but having rock chips isn't exactly a great look either.

"10.5" wide rim in the rear with a 40mm offset, 315-35-20 tire and a 9" wide rim in the front with a 20mm offset, 275/45/20 tire"

Thanks

[Vicster]

Hello,
Welcome to the forums! Love to watch new mod and build journals take off!
Lots of good people here don't be afraid to ask for advice.

Looking forward to your posts!

[The_bald_eagle_machine]

Originally Posted by wastepile

I bookmarked your build journal wheel mod, but hadn't gotten around to asking you about it. So thanks for reaching out, it's a great segue into my question.


Are you still happy with the sizes you picked? Is there any rubbing and has there been any rock damage from these wheel/tire sizes? I've seen some build threads where they install rock guards when widening the wheels - I'm not a fan of the look, but having rock chips isn't exactly a great look either.



"10.5" wide rim in the rear with a 40mm offset, 315-35-20 tire and a 9" wide rim in the front with a 20mm offset, 275/45/20 tire"


Thanks

So I was very happy with the setup, it was very tight and aggressive in the wheels wells. One day, randomly my driver front started rubbing and cutting the front tire. I have no idea why. Probably because I eat too many potato chips I guess. So rather than raise the car up, I just went with a 245 up front and the tire is a little more rounded versus being square with the rim. No more rubbing, even with some fairly aggressive driving. The rear tires are still the 315's. My only complaint there, is that it's alot of grip for a stock car. That's not really a bad thing though.

As far as rock chips, I haven't had an issue with that but... I did do a zl1 rear diffuser mod to my car, which has rock guards built into it. I also added zl1addons front rock guards because I wanted protection up front as well.

[wastepile]

Changed the car to a 3.91 gear ratio, upgraded the suspension bushing, and put in an Eaton Truetrac differential. Break in was drive normal (i.e., no burnouts) for 15-20 miles, let the gear oil completely cool, and then drive some more. Then, between 400-500 miles, change the gear oil.

GM-CAMARO-GEARKIT-19301504, $563.75

Eaton 912A686 Detroit Truetrac Differential, $760.66

Master Overhaul Kit, IK-GM8.6CAM, $285.82

Axle Seal (2), GM92230580, $42.56

Energy Suspension Bushing Kit, 3-1153G, $51.35

[wastepile]

I purchased the 20x10.5 A Santi Black Label ABL-27 Brush Tin for the back, and the same in the front at 20x9. My tires were relatively new, so I moved the back tires to the new front wheels (original back wheel size are my new "skinny" front ends!).

20x10.5 A Santi Black Label was $396 per wheel
20x9 A Santi Black Label was $378 per wheel

I prefer Michelin tires, but it was on back order. So my back tires are 315/35ZR-20 Continental Extreme Contact DWS 06 Plus XL.

Continental each tire was $317.99

315MHZ Tire Pressure Sensor was $30 per wheel

[wastepile]

Kooks Long Tube Headers and Borla Atak Catback Exhaust installed. Interesting enough, the idle is quieter than the prior SLP exhaust, but much louder at wide open throttle.

I measured the dB of the Borla exhaust at idle and then at full throttle. It went from 95.2 to 128.9 db (in comparison, the prior SLP exhaust went from 100.9 to 117 db).

Kooks Long Tube Headers $1721.91

Borla Atak Catback Exhaust $1528.99