How to improve power on an SS - your thoughts - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

michaelinmech · 10-03-2019, 12:32 PM

Helping a friend, not a member, with a 2013 SS. He has added a cat-back exhaust and a cold air intake. He would like a bit more power and throttle response. He does not want to do any further mods to the exhaust system (headers, cat removal, etc). What are the next best steps to add a bit more power and punch? Thanks in advance . . . .

Greenhornet2 · 10-03-2019, 12:41 PM

A tune will help. Beyond that you are really going to internals in the engine. camshaft or forced induction. If it's an auto a higher stall converter. Changing to 3.91 gears with help either auto or stick. Headers and a tune is really a good gain from factory. Tune won't do a whole lot without headers. There are plenty of pretty cheap options and headers are a pretty easy install.

Chris49066SS · 10-03-2019, 12:42 PM

Tune

jokrz187 · 10-03-2019, 12:44 PM

if your buddy is going to tune the car, either by dyno or plug n play module, they might as well do the headers. One of the bigger gains until you get into forced induction. IMO

SSEssence · 10-03-2019, 12:54 PM

tune, ported throttle body for throttle response, and gears for more oomph

Moto-Mojo · 10-03-2019, 01:05 PM

The most glaring thing a (remote/email) tune will do is change line pressure parameters in the trans and give you firmer - maybe even a LOT firmer shifts. Performance, not so much without more bolt-ons.

Chris49066SS · 10-03-2019, 01:06 PM

and then it never really ends

hrpiii · 10-03-2019, 01:43 PM

well your friend has a dream like everyone else that just isn't possible.

I want my car to go faster without doing anything that will make it go faster (headers, tune, s/c, turbo, etc).

I will add that to my, I want to get skinnier but continue to consume Beer and Pizza friends.

InFiD3ViL · 10-03-2019, 01:58 PM

Tune. But that will only take him so far.

Tune and headers are will make the biggest difference at this point, but if he doesn't want headers the tune will still make a big improvement, especially if an automatic.

SquawkVFR · 10-03-2019, 02:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Greenhornet2

A tune will help. Beyond that you are really going to internals in the engine. camshaft or forced induction. If it's an auto a higher stall converter. Changing to 3.91 gears with help either auto or stick. Headers and a tune is really a good gain from factory. Tune won't do a whole lot without headers. There are plenty of pretty cheap options and headers are a pretty easy install.

Agreed...3:91 will wow up the fun factor and improve the butt dyno. All that other stuff like e tunes, and CAI, PTB..not any real real hp gain except in your head...those are just gateway drugs.

Yellow 1 · 10-03-2019, 03:01 PM

Set of long tubes plus CAI & a decent tune = 450-460 hp. VERY noticeable difference under the loud pedal. Tune only won't get you there.

Mr_Draco · 10-03-2019, 04:13 PM

There is no gains from the cat-back, that is strictly just for sound. He really only has 3 options; ported throttle body will help with response, long tube headers plus hi-flo cats with a tune, a set of 3.91 gears (tune is recommended to correct the speedometer and odometer).

G8One2 · 10-03-2019, 04:36 PM

Get a set of gears. Its a great first mod that's less intrusive than modding the engine. Your butt dyno will certainly approve. The car will feel much lighter and accelerate quicker.

mbesman · 10-03-2019, 04:55 PM

Not to hijack but if you have 3:91 gears installed on an auto why would someone install a stall convertor and if so, what kind of convertor? Thanks to anyone with knowledge on this.

10-03-2019, 12:32 PM	#1
michaelinmech Drives: 2018 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: Mechanicsburg, PA Posts: 165	How to improve power on an SS - your thoughts Helping a friend, not a member, with a 2013 SS. He has added a cat-back exhaust and a cold air intake. He would like a bit more power and throttle response. He does not want to do any further mods to the exhaust system (headers, cat removal, etc). What are the next best steps to add a bit more power and punch? Thanks in advance . . . .

10-03-2019, 12:41 PM	#2
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	A tune will help. Beyond that you are really going to internals in the engine. camshaft or forced induction. If it's an auto a higher stall converter. Changing to 3.91 gears with help either auto or stick. Headers and a tune is really a good gain from factory. Tune won't do a whole lot without headers. There are plenty of pretty cheap options and headers are a pretty easy install. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

10-03-2019, 12:42 PM	#3
Chris49066SS Drives: 2010 SS L99 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,634	Tune __________________ Previous PB:11.079 @ 122.99mph.. New setup time: TBD The 11.079 pass: https://youtu.be/pz27Zq54t_E Build thread - www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555371

10-03-2019, 12:44 PM	#4
jokrz187 Drives: 2015 1SS Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Stafford, VA Posts: 402 View My Garage	if your buddy is going to tune the car, either by dyno or plug n play module, they might as well do the headers. One of the bigger gains until you get into forced induction. IMO __________________ ------------------------------------------------------- Custom TSP Stage 2 Cam/GPI intake Ported Rod Mod /VARARAM CAI/Mishimoto Catch Can/1 LE front & rear sway bars/ engine cover/fuse box custom painted, strut tower brace, Texas Speed LT, Hi Flo Cats, Magnum Tru-X pipe, NGK Spark Plugs, PCM Spark Plug Wire, Painted Calipers, CF Spoiler w/wicker bill.

10-03-2019, 12:54 PM	#5
SSEssence Instagram: Sangstah Drives: 2019 Camaro 1LE Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Buena Park, CA. Posts: 2,817 View My Garage	tune, ported throttle body for throttle response, and gears for more oomph __________________ 2019 SS 1LE - "CaSSandra" 2014 SS - "AleSSandra - Sold" 94 Z28 - Sold Follow the build https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=612717

10-03-2019, 01:05 PM	#6
Moto-Mojo Fast Cars and Old Guitars Drives: 2015 2SS RS (L99, baby!) Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: N. CA Posts: 4,002	The most glaring thing a (remote/email) tune will do is change line pressure parameters in the trans and give you firmer - maybe even a LOT firmer shifts. Performance, not so much without more bolt-ons. __________________ “I don’t want to belong to any club that would have me as a member.” - Groucho Marx

10-03-2019, 01:06 PM	#7
Chris49066SS Drives: 2010 SS L99 Join Date: Sep 2018 Location: Missouri Posts: 1,634	and then it never really ends __________________ Previous PB:11.079 @ 122.99mph.. New setup time: TBD The 11.079 pass: https://youtu.be/pz27Zq54t_E Build thread - www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=555371

10-03-2019, 01:43 PM	#8
hrpiii AKA "Beefcake" Drives: 2023 ZL1 Sharkskin Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Indy Posts: 8,534	well your friend has a dream like everyone else that just isn't possible. I want my car to go faster without doing anything that will make it go faster (headers, tune, s/c, turbo, etc). I will add that to my, I want to get skinnier but continue to consume Beer and Pizza friends.

10-03-2019, 01:58 PM	#9
InFiD3ViL Drives: 2010 CGM 2SS/RS LS3 Swapped A6 Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Spring Hill, FL Posts: 4,594	Tune. But that will only take him so far. Tune and headers are will make the biggest difference at this point, but if he doesn't want headers the tune will still make a big improvement, especially if an automatic. __________________ 2010 CGM Camaro 2SS LS3 Swapped A6 - GPI LS3 SS1 .647/.638, (224/237, 112 +4, 7º overlap) on CamMotion 8620 core, BTR Platinum .660" Dual Spring kit w/titanium retainers, CHE bronze trunnion upgrade, stock heads milled @ .015, Melling HV 10296 oil pump, TSP 1-7/8" long tube headers (W/Catless Off-road Pipes), Corsa Xtreme 3" Catback, GPI Ported/Rod Mod Intake, Stage 2 Ported Throttle Body, Vararam OTR CAI, Mike Norris Gen 2 catch can + GM 1LE clean side separator, 160º thermostat - Megan Racing adjustable coilovers (lowered 1.75"), MRR M017 10/11" wheels-Tuned by Ryan @ GPI

10-03-2019, 03:01 PM	#11
Yellow 1 Grumpy Grey-haired Guy Drives: Camaro, Corvette & Merc C300(daily) Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: South Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 806 View My Garage	Set of long tubes plus CAI & a decent tune = 450-460 hp. VERY noticeable difference under the loud pedal. Tune only won't get you there. __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------

10-03-2019, 04:13 PM	#12
Mr_Draco Drives: 2SS/RS Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 7,200	There is no gains from the cat-back, that is strictly just for sound. He really only has 3 options; ported throttle body will help with response, long tube headers plus hi-flo cats with a tune, a set of 3.91 gears (tune is recommended to correct the speedometer and odometer).

10-03-2019, 04:36 PM	#13
G8One2 Drives: 2014 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Metro Detroit Posts: 492	Get a set of gears. Its a great first mod that's less intrusive than modding the engine. Your butt dyno will certainly approve. The car will feel much lighter and accelerate quicker.

10-03-2019, 04:55 PM	#14
mbesman Great White Drives: 2015 Camaro 2SS Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 251 View My Garage	Not to hijack but if you have 3:91 gears installed on an auto why would someone install a stall convertor and if so, what kind of convertor? Thanks to anyone with knowledge on this. __________________ [