First camaro ss questions - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Don_G · 02-14-2018, 12:51 PM

Hello everyone new member here!! i have recently purchased a 2012 camaro ss (45th). Im enjoyig every moment so far but its just stock and i feel it needs more to it.. i have planned on lowering it and maybe switching the exhaust later on.. but as of now what would be some the first things i should do or add to a used manual ss? I have literally no knowledge when it comes to cars. Which is why I purchased this vehicle to learn as i go.

UBB · 02-14-2018, 01:48 PM

You're going to get a million different answers so I'll just tell you what I did with mine. first thing I did since my paint was still showroom quality is I had the front fascia, front 3rd of hood, rockers, mirrors and 'gills' wrapped with the 3M PP film. Then I tinted my windows. I then dressed up the engine bay with cosmetic stuff (IMO the CAI is basically cosmetic). I then lowered the car with the Eibach Pro + kit and got a new set of wheels and tires (square stance)

That transpired over roughly a 2 yr period. I'm now at the performance upgrade stage and am gearing up to do a supercharger system and LT headers.
Good luck!

U LUZE · 02-14-2018, 01:52 PM

First easy mod is a CAI. That will get you a few extra horses. I prefer Roto-Fab. You could do a tune as well depending on how far you want to take it. I have a ZL1 so we're comparing apples to oranges but the Roto-Fab and Jannetty Racing tune really woke mine up.

pnwdan · 02-14-2018, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Don_G

Hello everyone new member here!! i have recently purchased a 2012 camaro ss (45th). Im enjoyig every moment so far but its just stock and i feel it needs more to it.. i have planned on lowering it and maybe switching the exhaust later on.. but as of now what would be some the first things i should do or add to a used manual ss? I have literally no knowledge when it comes to cars. Which is why I purchased this vehicle to learn as i go.

Are you feeling it needs more power or more personal style? I always feel that the wheels make the car. That's where i always start.

myold88 · 02-14-2018, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnwdan

Are you feeling it needs more power or more personal style? I always feel that the wheels make the car. That's where i always start.

Don_G. Those wheels and your car are perfect. IMO change for changes
sake is not usually a good thing. Aftermarket exhaust and keep it clean
and detailed and your good to go.

Don_G · 02-14-2018, 02:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by UBB

You're going to get a million different answers so I'll just tell you what I did with mine. first thing I did since my paint was still showroom quality is I had the front fascia, front 3rd of hood, rockers, mirrors and 'gills' wrapped with the 3M PP film. Then I tinted my windows. I then dressed up the engine bay with cosmetic stuff (IMO the CAI is basically cosmetic). I then lowered the car with the Eibach Pro + kit and got a new set of wheels and tires (square stance)

That transpired over roughly a 2 yr period. I'm now at the performance upgrade stage and am gearing up to do a supercharger system and LT headers.
Good luck!

How much did you lower it? What are some good manufacturers

Don_G · 02-14-2018, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by U LUZE

First easy mod is a CAI. That will get you a few extra horses. I prefer Roto-Fab. You could do a tune as well depending on how far you want to take it. I have a ZL1 so we're comparing apples to oranges but the Roto-Fab and Jannetty Racing tune really woke mine up.

What are some decent budget CAI brands?

Don_G · 02-14-2018, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnwdan

Are you feeling it needs more power or more personal style? I always feel that the wheels make the car. That's where i always start.

I would say looks as of now. But performance wise what would be some easy not so expensive add ons?

Don_G · 02-14-2018, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by myold88

Don_G. Those wheels and your car are perfect. IMO change for changes
sake is not usually a good thing. Aftermarket exhaust and keep it clean
and detailed and your good to go.

Thanks man.

Overflow · 02-14-2018, 02:33 PM

For me, my first mod is always tint.

But speaking performance wise; CAI.

Outlaw77 · 02-14-2018, 03:12 PM

First mod I would do is lowering springs or tint. Then wheels. Then supercharger! JK, but not really. Seriously though your camaro looks good with the 45th graphics. I wouldn't do too much cosmetic wise if it were mine. Then again I'm a less is more guy when it comes to exterior cosmetics. To me the best cosmetics mods for these camaro's are lowering and wheels.

gpskinzhut · 02-14-2018, 03:19 PM

Depends on your budget and your direction. I started with springs & a ZL1 spoiler and a catch can and then went up from there. All depends on what your goal is for the car and if you want to keep the 45th a bit more 'stock' being an anniversary appearance package.

scott's45 · 02-14-2018, 03:29 PM

Welcome to the site, fellow 45'r! I started with tint, side markers, heritage grill, fender stripes, then exhaust, wheels.....oh man, it never ends!

BigJ · 02-14-2018, 03:30 PM

Cold Air Intake is definite first mod along with window tint. I've used k&n on all of my vehicles. They are reasonably priced and give you hp gains. Then you need to do wheels. Wheels and stance do a lot for a car. I lowered mine 1 1/4 inch on BMR springs.

02-14-2018, 12:51 PM	#1
Don_G Drives: 2012 camaro 2ss Join Date: Feb 2018 Location: Germany Posts: 11	First camaro ss questions Hello everyone new member here!! i have recently purchased a 2012 camaro ss (45th). Im enjoyig every moment so far but its just stock and i feel it needs more to it.. i have planned on lowering it and maybe switching the exhaust later on.. but as of now what would be some the first things i should do or add to a used manual ss? I have literally no knowledge when it comes to cars. Which is why I purchased this vehicle to learn as i go. Attached Images

02-14-2018, 01:48 PM	#2
UBB Drives: 2018 ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Bismarck Posts: 572 View My Garage	You're going to get a million different answers so I'll just tell you what I did with mine. first thing I did since my paint was still showroom quality is I had the front fascia, front 3rd of hood, rockers, mirrors and 'gills' wrapped with the 3M PP film. Then I tinted my windows. I then dressed up the engine bay with cosmetic stuff (IMO the CAI is basically cosmetic). I then lowered the car with the Eibach Pro + kit and got a new set of wheels and tires (square stance) That transpired over roughly a 2 yr period. I'm now at the performance upgrade stage and am gearing up to do a supercharger system and LT headers. Good luck! Last edited by UBB; 02-15-2018 at 02:28 PM.

02-14-2018, 01:52 PM	#3
U LUZE Drives: 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: Southeast Minnesota Posts: 118	First easy mod is a CAI. That will get you a few extra horses. I prefer Roto-Fab. You could do a tune as well depending on how far you want to take it. I have a ZL1 so we're comparing apples to oranges but the Roto-Fab and Jannetty Racing tune really woke mine up. __________________ ~ 2012 ZL1 - DynaTech 1 7/8" Headers - ID 1050 Injectors - E85 - DSX Aux Pump - 22.5% Crank Pulley - Roto-Fab CAI w/ Big Gulp- CJ/Jannetty Tuned ~ PB ET 10.54

02-14-2018, 02:33 PM	#10
Overflow Space Shuttle Aficionado Drives: 2016 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Tampa, FL Posts: 30,899 View My Garage	For me, my first mod is always tint. But speaking performance wise; CAI. __________________

02-14-2018, 03:19 PM	#12
gpskinzhut Drives: 2017 ZL1 A10 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Knoxville, TN Posts: 1,957 View My Garage	Depends on your budget and your direction. I started with springs & a ZL1 spoiler and a catch can and then went up from there. All depends on what your goal is for the car and if you want to keep the 45th a bit more 'stock' being an anniversary appearance package. __________________ 2017 ZL1 A10 2017 2SS M6: (SOLD) \|\| 2014 2LT Convertible: (SOLD) \|\| 2010 2LT M6 Supercharged:(SOLD) \|\| 1987 IROC-Z 5.0 M5: (SOLD)

02-14-2018, 03:12 PM	#11
Outlaw77 Drives: 2018 Charger SRT 392 F8 Green Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Oakville Ontario, Canada Posts: 1,910	First mod I would do is lowering springs or tint. Then wheels. Then supercharger! JK, but not really. Seriously though your camaro looks good with the 45th graphics. I wouldn't do too much cosmetic wise if it were mine. Then again I'm a less is more guy when it comes to exterior cosmetics. To me the best cosmetics mods for these camaro's are lowering and wheels.

02-14-2018, 03:29 PM	#13
scott's45 Scott's45 Drives: 2012 2SS 45th Anniversary Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 557 View My Garage	Welcome to the site, fellow 45'r! I started with tint, side markers, heritage grill, fender stripes, then exhaust, wheels.....oh man, it never ends! __________________ 2012 2SS 45th Anniversary, Hurst short throw shifter, Stainless Power LT headers, high flow cats, SW Retro Chambered 3" cat back, CAI, Heritage grill, tinted windows, red/silver hash stripes, AAC LED sidemarkers, blacked out turn signals/tail lights, splash guards. 402RWHP

02-14-2018, 03:30 PM	#14
BigJ Drives: Red 2013 Camaro SS, Black 1980 Z28 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Texas Posts: 166	Cold Air Intake is definite first mod along with window tint. I've used k&n on all of my vehicles. They are reasonably priced and give you hp gains. Then you need to do wheels. Wheels and stance do a lot for a car. I lowered mine 1 1/4 inch on BMR springs. Attached Images