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Old 04-13-2011, 09:11 PM   #1
Blueclyde

 
Drives: 2023 ZLE
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Blueclyde's 2011 2SS/RS LS3 Build Thread

I have been contemplating making some changes in my stable for a while. I originally purchased a RY 2SS/RS LS3 back in May of 2009. I loved the car. I only did a few modifications to the car such as an MRT axle back exhaust system, Hurst short throw, blacked out bowties, black chrome wheels and a painted engine cover. Nothing big, just kept it simple. The car drove and looked awesome.

I found myself itching for more and started thinking about how to scratch the itch. This started around the end of last summer. I was hearing about the Z28/ZL1 and initially just planned on getting one of those. I own an allocation for a ZL1 and may still do that, but for now decided to go in a totally different direction.

My logic for that is as follow. I figure the ZL1 is going to be a mid-50's price tag. When I looked at almost two years of ownership with my 2010, and only 2800 miles, I started wondering if a $55K car would really be necessary. This car is a hobby for me. It sits in my garage under cover and when I have time I drive it to local car shows, cruise nights and of course Woodward. It does not see rain, snow or even water from a hose. As a result of this I had a thought…

Try to build an SS with more power, while staying safely in the range of the drivetrain that will scratch my itch and save me some money over the ZL1. Not sure that this can be done but I decided to give it a try. I started talking to friends in the Camaro community and many of the local performance shops. I also reviewed a lot of build threads here on C5. Living in Detroit there is no shortage of knowledgeable performance shops.

After much review I decided to stay with a naturally aspirated build initially with the goal of gaining 100 RWHP over stock. I want this car to sound like a performance car should sound. I know there are plenty of supercharged SS cars running around that make much more power than what I will end up with. My issue is that you can’t really hear them when they pull up. I want to hear it. I may add a supercharger later but have somewhat of a budget initially. I ended up deciding to go with Livernois Motorsports after much discussion with Rick LeBlanc. Livernois is relatively close to me (on the other side of the Detroit area but still close). I took several trips to the shop and met the team there. I can say that Rick, Andy, Dan and the team run a very nice and reputable business. There is no shortage of people on the board here that can vouch for that. That is always a big factor in my decision process is to talk to people that have paid for services that I am looking for. Livernois kept rising to the top of those discussions.

While speaking to Rick I mentioned to him that I may just want to start with a new car instead of performing this work on my 2010. Rally Yellow was not my first choice of color and if I am going to do this I want it to be something I am willing to keep. Black was my choice. After reviewing this with Rick he suggested I speak with Becky Doyle over at Rodgers, again in my area just on the other side of town. I had seen Becky on the board here but had never met her. That's really what I love about this hobby. It gives you a chance to meet other great people just as enthusiastic as you are about your hobby. What a great hook-up. Becky, Joe, Gerry and the whole gang at Rodgers are wonderful to deal with. I am so glad to have met them.

Yes, I ordered my 2011 from Becky at the end of February and they took my 2010 on trade. SUPER service. Top notch. My 2011 is the first vehicle I purchased from Becky but will not be my last.

Where we are today..... My car arrived at Rodgers last week on April 7th. I paid for it yesterday and Becky and I took it for a 7 mile test drive. This was after Rodgers' service department installed the Pedders 1” drop springs and alignment kit and performed a 4 wheel alignment. The car looks awesome and drives great. Man, does the drop kit make the look of the stance! I couldn't be happier with how it looks and ride. The Pedders kit is worth the money...

After the short test drive I left the car at Rodgers. Rick and Andy picked it up with their enclosed trailer today. Here is what we decided on...

I am going to go with Livernois Head and Camshaft Package with their 2RMax camshaft. All of the cylinder head work is performed in-house with 5 axis CNC and CNC valve job machine. State of the art stuff. Other components going on the car are ported intake and throttle body, Kooks Signature Stepped Coated Headers 1 3/4 to 1 7/8, Kooks High Flow Catalysts, Corsa Cat-Back Exhaust System, Roto-Fab CAI and a Livernois Custom Chassis Dyno Calibration. The car will be base lined before the work starts. Here are a few pics to get things started.

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Old 04-18-2011, 10:51 AM   #2
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Here is the baseline dyno with 14 miles on the odometer

376 RWHP / 373 RWTQ



-Rick
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Old 04-18-2011, 02:42 PM   #3
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Here are some photos of the progress so far. I was out of the office for Camaro5 Fest and the camera the guys were using while I was gone was less than great and they were pretty blurry.

Here are some I shot today























New Cam going in



Regards,

Rick LeBlanc
Livernois Motorsports
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Old 04-18-2011, 03:10 PM   #4
10spokess
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Looking good!
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Old 04-18-2011, 03:18 PM   #5
dermo1989
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Look out! We have another ass-kicking machine in the works. Nobody messes w/Detroit 5th Gen bitches!!
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Old 04-18-2011, 03:23 PM   #6
JoeP@TeamBeckyD



 
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Awesome BlueClyde - I can't wait to see the
finished product and maybe take a ride too???

Thankfully the weather is kind of so
being patient won't be too difficult. It's really
going to rock and I'm looking forward to it
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Old 04-18-2011, 03:37 PM   #7
Chris@Livernois
 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BeckyD@RodgersChevrolet View Post

Thankfully the weather is kind of so
being patient won't be too difficult. It's really
going to rock and I'm looking forward to it
Especially coming back from AZ where it was 100 degrees to 30 degrees and snow...

-Rick
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Old 04-20-2011, 10:43 AM   #8
Chris@Livernois
 
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The heads on our CNC machine for porting







-Rick
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Old 04-20-2011, 09:13 PM   #9
Blueclyde

 
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This was one of the key factors in picking Livernois Motorsports. They have their own in-house machining operation. It is not a sublet operation. Top notch stuff!!
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Old 04-29-2011, 08:10 PM   #10
Blueclyde

 
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I was over at Livernois Motorsports this afternoon. The car is back together, running and was on the dyno. Nice preliminary numbers. It sounds incredible. If all goes well I will pick it up tomorrow. I'm not sure if there will be any video of the dyno pull. I will have some numbers when they are done. I want to wait until they get through the calibration process. It's going to be pretty stout. This has been a great experience. The guys at Livernois are very passionate about what they do. Dan, Rick, Andy and the crew over there couldn't be a nicer group of folks to deal with. More pics will be coming soon...
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Old 04-30-2011, 09:37 PM   #11
Blueclyde

 
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I picked up the car tonight from Livernois Motorsports. All I can say is wow! I will have some pictures and videos next week. The guys at Livernois are unreal. The really went the extra mile to get my car to me today. They have been super great to work with. I am lucky to have them so close...

More updates early next week.
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Old 05-02-2011, 11:45 AM   #12
Blueclyde

 
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Here is a video clip of the car's idle. The quality fo the video isn't that great. I will have more pictures and information to post later.

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Old 05-02-2011, 02:35 PM   #13
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It sounds great Andy!

Here are more photos. I didn't get any photos of it 100% complete unfortunately.

I'll have to get some at the Rodgers show






























-Rick
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Old 05-02-2011, 03:48 PM   #14
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Dyno Sheet

Post #'s 480 RWHP / 434 RWTQ



-Rick
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