06-05-2021, 07:01 AM | #1 |
BOOST OR BUST
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Long Overdue Build Progress [Main Thread]
I’ve been wanting to do this for a long time now so figured there’s no time like the present. After 11 years of ownership, I finally decided to make a build thread when I’m almost nearing the finish line. This will be rather lengthy so you’re forewarned but I will do my best to provide good quality content. Not sure how many OG V6 5th Gen’s still out there modifying their cars but thought I would share the successes and regrets of everything I went through. I’ll try to recap it all but to be honest it has taken an overwhelming amount of headaches, stress, and money to get to this point. I might do a couple separate sub threads with parts for sale and a discussion about shop experiences with recommendations or disapprovals. It really feels cathartic to finally put this all out there. I have zero sponsorships and spent a ton of time researching online to find exactly what I needed to transform my vision into a reality. I would say the build is about 85% complete. Still have a couple of items I’d like to address before I feel it’s finished.
Without further ado…. STORY TIME! The journey began 4/11/2010 with a brand new 2010 1LT 3.6L AT LLT DI DOHC from the factory. I was young and over the next several years I did minor aesthetic mods that I thought were “cool” such as: Tinted Windows and Lights, Oracle ColorShift 2.0 LED Halo Headlight Kit, KMC KM775 Rockstar Wheels, R1 Concepts Premier Series-Diamond Slotted Rotors Kit, Injen PowerFlow (PF) Polished Cold Air Intake System, MRT V2 Axle-Back Exhaust (Black Ops-Dual Tips Blackout), GlassSkinz Tekno 1 Rear Window Valance/Louver, Xenon Quarter Window Scoops, SFX Performance Matte Black Billet Fuel Door, AVS Ventvisor Front Window Deflectors, Iggee Synthetic Leather Seat Covers, and Husky Liners Mud Guards. Then around April 2018, I joined a couple car clubs (CCNY and SIN) who spared no time in absolutely roasting me, not only because I was a V6, but for the KMC truck wheels I unknowingly had on my car. I’m a good sport and I grew to know and love the community. Once I saw all their customizations, I just couldn’t stop myself from making changes to mine! Thus forged the road to present day. First on my agenda was the exterior because, while I grew up around an engine at the track with my father racing, I wasn’t sure I wanted to do any further power mods to my V6 and I was not too informed of its capabilities. I kept some of the previous mods that I had already added. ***EDIT: I decided to put total true price (may include additional costs paid for any customizations, tax, or shipping) of items next to each part and where I purchased them to be helpful for easy reference if there is something you are considering for yourself. Total parts listed below tallies in at approximately $36k and I'll estimate overall labor to be around $30k. Damn, it really doesn't seem like that much since it happens only a little at a time. Also, bear in mind those totals are on the low end since there was money spent over the years on parts that didn't make it to this list which are unaccounted for either because they were bought and upgraded to something else, they were purchased multiple times for replacement, or they were bought and never even used. Looking at the combined amount I've spent is cringeworthy and calculating it out in hindsight I may as well have just gotten a fully built racecar lol but gotta pay to play they say*** EXTERIOR MODIFICATIONS:
I tried to keep it in the order that I got each part installed. Most of the exterior work was spearheaded because I got into a fender bender on Cinco de Mayo 2019. Overall, very happy with the appearance of my car and have plans to be getting wider in the future but I want to enjoy shows and events with my car like this for a bit. Next up was the interior! INTERIOR MODIFICATIONS:
Last but certainly not least, performance! I didn’t keep any of the original things I added like the MRT exhaust or Injen CAI, they both got sold to new happy homes. By the time I decided to go all out for power in 2019, I couldn’t find much still being manufactured or sold. No more STS, RX, IPS, IPF Turbo OR Supercharger Kits in production. Much sad. Luckily, Will from Overkill Motorsports was still selling his version of the IPF Supercharger Kits, so not knowing how much longer these would be available, I went for max gains…. Stage 3…. BOOST OR BUST!! PERFORMANCE MODIFICATIONS:
All above listed modifications are kept updated to parts that are currently on the car. Well, if you read this far… thanks! Would LOVE to show you photos of everything but my car has been in and out of shops since Feb 2020…. a deployment, a pandemic, and a whole lot of other issues causing build delays! Still pending a final tune to realize maximum output potential of the setup after installing a WMI Kit to help suppress temps and detonation under boost to hopefully resolve fueling issues of rail pressure dropping at high rpm. Another member experiencing similar issues suggested a larger pulley to relieve stress so we may try that too or I had considered looking into a secondary aux fuel system dedicated to boost only.
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Batmaro=The Bane of My Existence ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⬋LIKE AND FOLLOW THE BUILD ON INSTAGRAM⬊
BUILD STATUS: LOADING BOOST . . . Last edited by BatmaroBeauty; 11-30-2021 at 08:08 PM. Reason: Updated Individual Mod Costs |
06-05-2021, 10:44 AM | #2 |
Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 2,193
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Very interesting. Look forward to seeing your numbers I bet it's gonna be good. Good luck with the tuning I think your on the right track. Keep us updated.
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DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer
Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817 |
06-05-2021, 01:30 PM | #3 |
BOOST OR BUST
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Thanks! Last dyno graph the shop shared with me in April we were already at 418rwhp/365rwtq so this setup has me excited with the real power gains from stock. At the time those numbers were shared with me, we were also experiencing issues like knock retard and misalignment between the belt and tensioner. The belt was not riding center and was persistently rubbing on a bracket bolt on the underside of the blower bracket causing wear. This problem was resolved with some longer spacers and a different upper radiator bracket, however, still dealing with correcting KR in the fueling system.
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Batmaro=The Bane of My Existence ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⬋LIKE AND FOLLOW THE BUILD ON INSTAGRAM⬊
BUILD STATUS: LOADING BOOST . . . |
06-06-2021, 01:07 AM | #4 |
BOOST OR BUST
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Stock Photos
Here's some pictures from the archive of what my car looked like the day I brought it home 04/11/2010. Pretty sure these photos were taken with a BlackBerry so that explains the suuuuper high quality resolution! haha
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Batmaro=The Bane of My Existence ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⬋LIKE AND FOLLOW THE BUILD ON INSTAGRAM⬊
BUILD STATUS: LOADING BOOST . . . |
06-06-2021, 02:54 AM | #5 |
BOOST OR BUST
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Minor Exterior Mods Circa 2012-2017
Some more photos through the years as the build slowly progressed. Matte black rally stripes, KMC Rockstar Wheels, tinted windows, license plate covers, TracSpec front splitter extension and canards kit from Aero Sport Concepts, tow hook, Injen PF CAI, rear diffuser, billet matte black fuel door, Oracle Colorshift 2.0 halo headlights kit, MRT V2 axle-back exhaust with blackout tips, Husky Liners mud guards, and GlassSkinz Tekno 1 rear louver.
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Batmaro=The Bane of My Existence ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⬋LIKE AND FOLLOW THE BUILD ON INSTAGRAM⬊
BUILD STATUS: LOADING BOOST . . . Last edited by BatmaroBeauty; 07-03-2021 at 05:31 PM. |
06-06-2021, 03:07 AM | #6 |
BOOST OR BUST
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2018 Exterior Continues...
Custom dive planes and side skirts from Galvez Customs in NJ. Support rods from Aero Sport Concepts. Spyder LED tail lights tinted with matte black bezels from Phastek.
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Batmaro=The Bane of My Existence ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⬋LIKE AND FOLLOW THE BUILD ON INSTAGRAM⬊
BUILD STATUS: LOADING BOOST . . . Last edited by BatmaroBeauty; 07-03-2021 at 05:32 PM. |
06-06-2021, 05:38 AM | #7 |
BOOST OR BUST
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Accident 05/05/2019
As I mentioned in the OP, I got into an accident on Cinco de Mayo. It was monsooning rain outside and I had disabled traction control to do some drifting on empty roads. After we left the area, I forgot to enable TC again and when I realized it was already too late. Felt the back end break loose while on the highway, tried to save it, tapped rear bumpers with a car in the lane next to me which spun me opposite direction to a full 360°. Lesson learned! The car sustained damage to the rear passenger side bumper and quarter panel, I lost the skirt from the drivers side, and had a crack on the wheel well of the drivers side fender. Was totally bummed but happy it wasn’t worse because honestly it was best case scenario outcome of all the possibilities that could’ve happened, aside from saving it entirely.
Decided to pay out of pocket for repairs since I was nervous insurance would total out my car since the damage was near the fuel tank and wasn’t sure if it had any frame damage. This choice led me to quite the predicament… I ended up with some type of Ponzi scheme shop called ‘Big E Customs’ and it was a NIGHTMARE to say the least. I definitely want to do a sub thread about shop experiences where I’ll discuss more in depth about what happened. Thankfully, I managed to salvage the situation and big shout out to Doug at ‘Quality Auto Body’ for helping me right that wrong. Damage: ^ This is an actual still image from my friends dash cam footage of my wreck. I made a meme about it because I laugh through pain. SUV to my right is the one I tapped bumpers with and all he had was a small dent on drivers side rear bumper. Rebuild Process:
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Batmaro=The Bane of My Existence ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⬋LIKE AND FOLLOW THE BUILD ON INSTAGRAM⬊
BUILD STATUS: LOADING BOOST . . . Last edited by BatmaroBeauty; 06-18-2021 at 02:35 PM. |
06-06-2021, 11:09 PM | #8 |
BOOST OR BUST
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The Comeback is Greater than the Setback!
After the accident I really buttoned up my exterior to be how I wanted. Made a subtle modification to the side emblems embracing my true form. Ironed out the issues I was having from the poor quality previous install of my aero at ‘V & S Motor Service’ but thanks to Ian at ‘Galvez Customs’, it looks better than ever! Custom side skirts, dive plane, ACS T4 splitter with ASC extension and CF support rods. Also pulled the trigger on a new hood and wanted something not seen often so went with Amerihood SMS Style Functional Heat Extractor Ram Air and kept the Hotchkis pins and cables. Then upgraded to a custom set of 6th Gen conversion headlights from RGVShelby. Got a heritage grill and modified it slightly by cutting a few parts of the plastic so it would flow better with the lights. Patiently waited the 4-6 month lead time for my very own Anvil rear notch spoiler and it was worth the wait imo…
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Batmaro=The Bane of My Existence ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⬋LIKE AND FOLLOW THE BUILD ON INSTAGRAM⬊
BUILD STATUS: LOADING BOOST . . . Last edited by BatmaroBeauty; 06-06-2021 at 11:22 PM. |
06-07-2021, 05:35 AM | #9 |
Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 2,193
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Looks amazing buddy. We'll done. What did you do to the rear tail lights or did they come that way?
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DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer
Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817 |
06-07-2021, 06:15 AM | #10 | |
BOOST OR BUST
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Quote:
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Batmaro=The Bane of My Existence ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⬋LIKE AND FOLLOW THE BUILD ON INSTAGRAM⬊
BUILD STATUS: LOADING BOOST . . . |
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06-08-2021, 09:17 AM | #11 |
BOOST OR BUST
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Front Bumper Aero Info
Wanted to back track a little bit and do a separate post to address the challenges that came with the front bumper aero specifically since it was a thorn in my side. I was recommended by a family member to the shop ‘V & S Motor Service’ (I’ll save the in depth review of that for my shop experiences subthread) and long story short they agreed to do a job that they had no prior experience or knowledge in doing so it came out haphazard, careless, and botched. The aero I originally ordered was a TracSpec Front Splitter Extension Kit with Winglets and also a set of support rods from Aero Sport Concepts. I had upgraded to the SS bumper and this kit looked amazing in the photos on their website (they have a couple featured with the SS specific). It was an exciting addition to make my appearance a little more aggressive. Overall, product was very well constructed and high quality material! Down side was there was no instructions included on the install and because the shop had never done anything similar before, they were unfamiliar with the complexity of the kit. This led to them installing it wrong. See photos below and I’ll explain.
This next set of photos was provided to me by Aero Sport Concepts for reference after I sent them an email inquiry about what it’s supposed to look like. Clearly mine was nowhere near how it should’ve been. At the time of purchase, ASC did not have any reference material for installation available on their website (I see now they do). Just wish the shop had directed their concerns at me so I could seek guidance or further instructions from ASC instead of them just winging it. If you’ve previously noticed, none of the LS/LT/SS bumpers are flat in the bottom, they all angle upwards to the center tip. This kit included spacers to level off the bottom that way the splitter would lay flat. ^Looks great right?… The below set of photos are what my bumper actually looked like. I immediately noticed after the install looking at the front that the splitter still angled upwards indicating that they did not use the spacers correctly. Notice there’s only 6 spacers in… there’s supposed to be AT LEAST 12 as shown in the above photos provided by ASC. Then they decided to throw a random screw dead center which drove my OCD absolutely WILD! Upon closer inspection, I realized the screw was only there because they didn’t understand how to attach the bottom of the splitter to the bumper using the connecting piece so just used a shit ton of glue which didn’t hold. The piece became separated and there was a gap between them showing all the glue. The winglets never sat correctly. They would always pop out of alignment from the vibrations of driving. Because the support rods were just installed to the bumper itself and not to the crash bar, eventually the down force created by air pressure while driving cause the bumper to permanently warp. As someone who is very attentive to detail, all of these things drove me insane. I eventually purchased an entirely new SS bumper and started from scratch. The ACS Composites T4 splitter resolved the underside of the bumper not being level for the splitter extension. I had the install done this time by a shop that specializes with custom aero so everything was done perfectly. I was finally all smiles about how the front end looks.
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Batmaro=The Bane of My Existence ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⬋LIKE AND FOLLOW THE BUILD ON INSTAGRAM⬊
BUILD STATUS: LOADING BOOST . . . |
06-09-2021, 10:06 AM | #12 |
BOOST OR BUST
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Let’s Get Loud!
It was around this time I shifted to performance for a second and wanted to become more loud.
I upgraded to American Racing Headers Catless Long System with H-Pipe since I already had the MRT V2 Axle-Back on the car. I wanted to keep it a free flow exhaust because I had a feeling I would be boosting later so that would help with not making back end pressure. My friend let me borrow his tools and lift so I was able to do this install myself and save some money. Of course it didn’t go as smoothly as I’d hoped since the ARH long system came up too short and didn’t meet the MRT pipes. Red lines are where the ARH long system ends and green lines are where MRT axle back begins. The temporary solution was to cut a section of stock piping and increase the OD of it on the ARH side to temporarily join the two systems together. Not to mention the ARH pipes are 0.25" larger so I would’ve had to blow the diameter out of the MRT a little anyway to make the pipes fit together if they reached one another. In retrospect this oversight saved me from modifying the MRT exhaust and allowed me to resell it later on. Eventually, I also bought a Borla ATAK Cat-Back Exhaust with X-Pipe from my friend. Although I only intended to use the Axle-Back of the ATAK, I figured having the X-Pipe was good incase I ever wanted to switch them out. I got the dual tips powdercoated matte black. I took my car to ARH since my father knows the owner Nick and his son Lou from the racing circuit. They installed the section of pipe that had been missing from before to connect the new Borla ATAK axle-back. The sound difference was night and day. It’s actually deafening sometimes in a tunnel or garage where the exhaust bounces and echoes. I can hear some drone while I’m driving but I don’t mind it. Being Catless is going to prove challenging for inspection since they’re required in NY to pass emissions so we’ll see how that goes when the time comes.
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Batmaro=The Bane of My Existence ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⬋LIKE AND FOLLOW THE BUILD ON INSTAGRAM⬊
BUILD STATUS: LOADING BOOST . . . Last edited by BatmaroBeauty; 07-05-2021 at 09:26 PM. |
06-09-2021, 12:08 PM | #13 |
Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 2,193
|
Sound clip?
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DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer
Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817 |
06-09-2021, 12:25 PM | #14 |
BOOST OR BUST
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Sorry for the newb question as I’ve only started utilizing C5 and created this build thread 2 days ago so please don’t crucify me… how do I get a video uploaded here?
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Batmaro=The Bane of My Existence ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀⠀⠀ ⬋LIKE AND FOLLOW THE BUILD ON INSTAGRAM⬊
BUILD STATUS: LOADING BOOST . . . |
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