Want to mod my gen5 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

crabs · 03-08-2025, 11:41 PM

I have a fairly stock 2012 Camaro SS. Only things that are done are an aftermarket exhaust and a Cold Air Intake. I am going to be pulling a data log tomorrow to check the current performance.

I will start by saying I am no mechanic, but I want to take the time to learn so I can perform work on my own engine. My goal is to drag race my Camaro as a hobby, but the stock performance is going to be underwhelming versus more modern cars.

I want to add a supercharger, but I know there are better things to upgrade first. Would someone assist me in building a parts list, in order of what I need to mod first. I am not really worried about cost. Any suggestions are much appreciated.

Thanks!

ariZona28 · 03-09-2025, 07:28 AM

Transmission auto or manual? How many miles on engine?

crabs · 03-09-2025, 12:32 PM

manual trans. 50k miles.

ariZona28 · 03-10-2025, 10:42 AM

You might want to advance your project in small increments. Maybe take it to the strip and see how it does as is. Headers, cat delete and a good tune would be a nice addition to add HP and hone your mechanical skills. For a supercharger you really should go forged bottom end IMO. A good friend of mind grenaded his stock bottomed '10 LS3 with just 8 pounds of boost, E85 and a "safe" tune but I know others who have had no problems. Keep in mind that as your power levels increase you'll need to upgrade your clutch, trans and suspension if you're going to be drag racing on a regular basis. Also, your local track may require some sort of roll bar for your convertible depending on ET.
Hopefully some of the more experienced drag race folks can chime in. Member Acammer has plenty of drag experience with early 5th Gens. Check out some of his threads/posts.

crabs · 03-11-2025, 04:13 PM

Makes sense. Thanks for the insight.

Thoughts on this bottom end? Assuming iron is better than aluminum:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/drt-31837221

CamaroDreams76 · 03-12-2025, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by crabs

Makes sense. Thanks for the insight.

Thoughts on this bottom end? Assuming iron is better than aluminum:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/drt-31837221

That link is to a bare block, no bottom end in it.Yes iron is better than aluminum when adding boost because iron has less deflection under high load. Also Dart is about the best you can get as far as iron blocks go.

I also suggest modding in increments. Doing full bolt ons, suspension components, heads/cam, clutch, then boost and fuel system. Then probably start looking at motors. LS3s run 800hp all day long stock block, stock bottom end.

Car Nation Videos · 03-12-2025, 10:05 AM

If money ain’t a problem just buy a fully built twin turbo LS3 off eBay and get it shipped to your door. 1200 hp at the wheels.

Or put a stage 3 cam in it, 2” long tube headers, intake, change the rear gears to .391, get a hurst short-throw shifter so you can bang gears, you can always port and polish for better flow, 150 shot of nitrous, supercharger, change out your axles to hold 2000 hp, then have it towed to a dyno shop and let them put it on the dyno, get a set of welds racing rims and put some 275 slicks with sone skinnys up front.

Car Nation Videos · 03-12-2025, 10:09 AM

To answer your question, the 1st thing you should do is purchase a set of long tube headers 1”7/8 kooks. Then order some .391 gears and then get under your car and swap them out. Then install a short throw shifter.

The first thing you should really do, is go to your local track and run about 10 passes to see where you are as a driver.

crabs · 03-23-2025, 02:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Car Nation Videos

If money ain’t a problem just buy a fully built twin turbo LS3 off eBay and get it shipped to your door. 1200 hp at the wheels.

Or put a stage 3 cam in it, 2” long tube headers, intake, change the rear gears to .391, get a hurst short-throw shifter so you can bang gears, you can always port and polish for better flow, 150 shot of nitrous, supercharger, change out your axles to hold 2000 hp, then have it towed to a dyno shop and let them put it on the dyno, get a set of welds racing rims and put some 275 slicks with sone skinnys up front.

Money really isn't a problem, but I am looking to learn something over time as well...

I also don't just want to buy someone else's project car, I want to upgrade my own. My camaro is also the 45th anniversary edition, so I like the trim differences that came with that badge. But I appreciate the suggestions as well.

03-08-2025, 11:41 PM	#1
crabs Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS Convertible Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Jax, FL Posts: 8	Want to mod my gen5 I have a fairly stock 2012 Camaro SS. Only things that are done are an aftermarket exhaust and a Cold Air Intake. I am going to be pulling a data log tomorrow to check the current performance. I will start by saying I am no mechanic, but I want to take the time to learn so I can perform work on my own engine. My goal is to drag race my Camaro as a hobby, but the stock performance is going to be underwhelming versus more modern cars. I want to add a supercharger, but I know there are better things to upgrade first. Would someone assist me in building a parts list, in order of what I need to mod first. I am not really worried about cost. Any suggestions are much appreciated. Thanks!

03-09-2025, 07:28 AM	#2
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,750	Transmission auto or manual? How many miles on engine? __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course.

03-10-2025, 10:42 AM	#4
ariZona28 Give speed a chance Drives: 2015 Camaro 2LS, 2015 Camaro Z/28 Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mesa, Az Posts: 2,750	You might want to advance your project in small increments. Maybe take it to the strip and see how it does as is. Headers, cat delete and a good tune would be a nice addition to add HP and hone your mechanical skills. For a supercharger you really should go forged bottom end IMO. A good friend of mind grenaded his stock bottomed '10 LS3 with just 8 pounds of boost, E85 and a "safe" tune but I know others who have had no problems. Keep in mind that as your power levels increase you'll need to upgrade your clutch, trans and suspension if you're going to be drag racing on a regular basis. Also, your local track may require some sort of roll bar for your convertible depending on ET. Hopefully some of the more experienced drag race folks can chime in. Member Acammer has plenty of drag experience with early 5th Gens. Check out some of his threads/posts. __________________ 2LS: a TREMENDOUS machine. Z/28: it's a BIT MORE POWERFUL, of course. Last edited by ariZona28; 03-10-2025 at 07:00 PM.

03-09-2025, 12:32 PM	#3
crabs Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS Convertible Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Jax, FL Posts: 8	manual trans. 50k miles.

03-11-2025, 04:13 PM	#5
crabs Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS Convertible Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Jax, FL Posts: 8	Makes sense. Thanks for the insight. Thoughts on this bottom end? Assuming iron is better than aluminum: https://www.summitracing.com/parts/drt-31837221

03-12-2025, 10:05 AM	#7
Car Nation Videos YouTube-Car Nation Videos Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 248	If money ain’t a problem just buy a fully built twin turbo LS3 off eBay and get it shipped to your door. 1200 hp at the wheels. Or put a stage 3 cam in it, 2” long tube headers, intake, change the rear gears to .391, get a hurst short-throw shifter so you can bang gears, you can always port and polish for better flow, 150 shot of nitrous, supercharger, change out your axles to hold 2000 hp, then have it towed to a dyno shop and let them put it on the dyno, get a set of welds racing rims and put some 275 slicks with sone skinnys up front.

03-12-2025, 10:09 AM	#8
Car Nation Videos YouTube-Car Nation Videos Drives: 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Florida Posts: 248	To answer your question, the 1st thing you should do is purchase a set of long tube headers 1”7/8 kooks. Then order some .391 gears and then get under your car and swap them out. Then install a short throw shifter. The first thing you should really do, is go to your local track and run about 10 passes to see where you are as a driver.