Padre's SS: Let the Modding Begin! (pics&vids) [COTW 10/28/13]

[Camarowguy]

Padre, are you open to suggestions? If so, I feel confident that you can pick up another solid tenth and mph or two by changing the intake you have to a Vararam. The topend pull of this intake can't be beat. I don't remember you saying anything about if you have a strong or weak maf sensor either. Mine made a worth while difference going to the strong one.

[Padre]

Originally Posted by Camarowguy

Padre, are you open to suggestions? If so, I feel confident that you can pick up another solid tenth and mph or two by changing the intake you have to a Vararam. The topend pull of this intake can't be beat. I don't remember you saying anything about if you have a strong or weak maf sensor either. Mine made a worth while difference going to the strong one.

Always open to suggestions. But I'm very happy with my intake. I've used the "down-n-out" style on my GTO, and the 4" intake can't be beat. My IATs during a run are usually no more than 9* above ambient, even on a hot track. I was up a solid 20hp with no tune. Now, tuned, it's even better, and will fit nicely with the 102mm (4") TB and Manifold.

I don't think the Vararam is 4" (I had one for my G8 GXP), so it won't be optimum for my future 102mm mods.

Padre

[Camarowguy]

Originally Posted by Padre

Always open to suggestions. But I'm very happy with my intake. I've used the "down-n-out" style on my GTO, and the 4" intake can't be beat. My IATs during a run are usually no more than 9* above ambient, even on a hot track. I was up a solid 20hp with no tune. Now, tuned, it's even better, and will fit nicely with the 102mm (4") TB and Manifold.

I don't think the Vararam is 4" (I had one for my G8 GXP), so it won't be optimum for my future 102mm mods.

Padre

It is 4".....I just changed the coupler hose to a black one and that's what I ordered. It's a solid 4". I bet over 60-70 mph youd have an extra 10hp with it. There was a guy selling one for around 200 bucks a couple days ago, but at that price, I'm sure it's gone. I'm a believer in true ram air...and this is true ram air.

O btw, did you ever check your maf sensor? Just wondering.

[Padre]

Originally Posted by Camarowguy

It is 4".....I just changed the coupler hose to a black one and that's what I ordered. It's a solid 4". I bet over 60-70 mph youd have an extra 10hp with it. There was a guy selling one for around 200 bucks a couple days ago, but at that price, I'm sure it's gone. I'm a believer in true ram air...and this is true ram air.

O btw, did you ever check your maf sensor? Just wondering.

No, I never checked the MAF. The car is already running faster tha'n expected, so I'm guessing I'm good, but I will check next chance I get. Never know.

Padre

[Camarowguy]

Originally Posted by Padre

No, I never checked the MAF. The car is already running faster tha'n expected, so I'm guessing I'm good, but I will check next chance I get. Never know.

Padre

Just thought I'd throw it out there. I didn't realize something was wrong (well not wrong...but not as good as it could be) until I changed mine. There were a couple things it did that I didn't notice till they were gone, ex. Slightly bog when I stuck it from a dead stop, slight surge at low rpm, delayed throttle response.

[Padre]

Originally Posted by medicineman

padre, sorry i was late to the show, but enjoyed the build. i recently purchaced a 2011 camaro ss and i have questions after having read the thread. first i need to explain i'm new to forums so if i'm breaking any rules let me know. you mentioned a "drone" coming from the car before you started your build. was that from the stock exhaust (and is that the borla exhaust you mentioned). next, for someone who can turn a wrench but may not be as mechanically inclined as you, is it possible to add on the CAI and exhaust (how much of an issue is the burning wires with the shorties) lots more questions but i'll start here. thanks

Hi medicineman, welcome to the forum! I'm responding to your post here in my build thread.

Yes, the drone is with the Borla Touring exhaust. You will have no drone if you keep the stock exhaust.

Doing a CAI and exhaust like Borla is very easy and can be done by amateurs with basic tools. I like my Fastlane Pipeline CAI, but it does require a little extra work to move the windshield washer bottle. You can find CAI's that look great, fit great, and perform great and are easier to install.

If you go with headers, or even shorties and midpipes, I'd recommend having a shop do it for you. My shop helped me correct mine (small leak), so it's best just to have them do it.

If you get headers, most (like my JBA's) will come with one longer spark plug wire for the one exhaust that is closest to the wires. I put a heat shield on mine and it works fine now.

Hope this helps!

Padre

[Padre]

Took a cruise yesterday. The puppies and kitty all wanted to drive.

Padre

[Pro Stock John]

Air still too crappy to race in over there in GA? I'm thinking like 4000 DA stuff these days. Swapped on the water pump, how is it?

[medicineman]

thanks for the info. i did have another question reguarding the gears/diff. i was looking at the panchek (think that's spelled right) site and their site said my camaro had stock 345 gears. as i like spending money spinning tires, i was thinking about 373 or even 410 rear end gears but after reading your thread and feedback from others i'm really scratching my head. you spoke of quicker 60's; wouldn't "bigger" gears give you a better launch

[Padre]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

Air still too crappy to race in over there in GA? I'm thinking like 4000 DA stuff these days. Swapped on the water pump, how is it?

Yeah, no reason to race in 90* weather unless I have something new to test (or a grudge to settle ). The Meziere Electric Water Pump for the 2010+ Camaro does not fit the L99. :( So it's convert to LS3 or wait for the slim chance they'll do something to make it fit around the VVT front cover.

Originally Posted by medicineman

thanks for the info. i did have another question reguarding the gears/diff. i was looking at the panchek (think that's spelled right) site and their site said my camaro had stock 345 gears. as i like spending money spinning tires, i was thinking about 373 or even 410 rear end gears but after reading your thread and feedback from others i'm really scratching my head. you spoke of quicker 60's; wouldn't "bigger" gears give you a better launch

LS3/Manual Transmission Camaros have a 3.45 gears. L99/Automatics have a 3.27. I swapped out my 3.27's for 3.45's and love it with my 3200 stall Torque Converter.

For a Manual, people love 3.90's or 4.10's for a bolt-on car. If you start putting down a lot of power, some people go back down to 3.45's or 3.73's. Roasting the tires doesn't help.

Padre

[medicineman]

i suspect individuals who start these mods aren't worried about vehicle warranties but can i assume once someone starts, this voids any and all warranties? i would like at the very least to put the CAI and exhaust on.

[Padre]

Originally Posted by medicineman

i suspect individuals who start these mods aren't worried about vehicle warranties but can i assume once someone starts, this voids any and all warranties? i would like at the very least to put the CAI and exhaust on.

The general feeling is that as long as you don't change the electronic tune, you will still have your warranty. Within reason, of course.

I was running mid-12's with no tune. So a CAI and exhaust you can add with no problems.

However, I would highly recommend talking to you dealer. Even though I have modified the tune, I am friendly enough with the dealer that we will look at it on an individual basis. All the rest of my warranty is intact, and if we have a motor issue related to my mods, I know that I'll be paying for it.

Padre

[L99CAMA2011]

Originally Posted by Padre

Hi medicineman, welcome to the forum! I'm responding to your post here in my build thread.

Yes, the drone is with the Borla Touring exhaust. You will have no drone if you keep the stock exhaust.

Doing a CAI and exhaust like Borla is very easy and can be done by amateurs with basic tools. I like my Fastlane Pipeline CAI, but it does require a little extra work to move the windshield washer bottle. You can find CAI's that look great, fit great, and perform great and are easier to install.

If you go with headers, or even shorties and midpipes, I'd recommend having a shop do it for you. My shop helped me correct mine (small leak), so it's best just to have them do it.

If you get headers, most (like my JBA's) will come with one longer spark plug wire for the one exhaust that is closest to the wires. I put a heat shield on mine and it works fine now.

Hope this helps!

Padre

Your setup defy the odds. Many don't believe in shorty headers, but your numbers prove them wrong. I have Dynatech longtubes and stock exhaust and am not that impress with the headers. Did you notice any less back pressure with the Borla exhaust?

[Padre]

Originally Posted by L99CAMA2011

Your setup defy the odds. Many don't believe in shorty headers, but your numbers prove them wrong. I have Dynatech longtubes and stock exhaust and am not that impress with the headers. Did you notice any less back pressure with the Borla exhaust?

There's another of those things that belong to the "common wisdom" (CW).

The CW says Shorties add little. I defied that.

The CW says a catback exhaust alone adds no HP.

I don't have any empirical data to suggest my Borla catback added any horsepower (aside from a 50lb weight loss).

But when I go heads/cam (soon? ), I may seriously be pushing the 11.5 roll-cage territory, and one idea was to add back the stock exhaust if I'm going too quick.

Padre