IM NEW! I have a camaro i love.. so ls1 family, what next?

**EPIDEMIC** · 03-07-2012, 06:23 AM

Well. I'm lost for what to do next. I have a 2002 z28, I've put some money into it. Now just trying to figure out what to do next. I bought my car about a year ago and it already had a ws6 style hood with RAM air intake, 80mm bbk tb and a slp strut bar for increased handling. Recently I had pacesetter long tube headers and a y pipe installed. With that install I found out the car was already tuned. Had a new motor and transmission installed and already had cat-back Slp loudmouth exhaust. (Haven't been under the car) so with all that and money not being a major issue, what next? This car is my daily driver sometimes,(I work the same job with my brother, usually he drives) but I'd still like to be able to keep it that way. my goal is about 450 HP.

**pajeff02** · 03-07-2012, 08:13 AM

Welcome! I recommend putting some $$ into the chassis before upping the horsepower. Subframe connectors, lower control arms and a panhard bar are all a good start.

**WILDKARDBOYZ** · 03-07-2012, 09:12 AM

I agree suspension is a must mass air flow mad coils for better fuel economy. With all this done you should be real close if not past 400 hp ms3 cam would be my next step then you'll be sitting pretty

**EPIDEMIC** · 03-07-2012, 02:30 PM

Unfortunately, my suspension is stock :/ so yes i guess i will be adding that to the to do list. Any recommendations on product brands? I havent gotten my car on a dyno but Ive wanted to. Just so expensive, just to tell me the power I have. Any gearing recommendations or should i keep stock gearing? i know i know, so many questions!! @wildkardboyz when you did the sub frame connectors, did you notice a big difference?

As far as fuel economy im getting around 20 in town. When I drove from washington to central texas (in two days lol) i got about 28-30 mpg.

**pajeff02** · 03-07-2012, 06:11 PM

I went all UMI on our car. In the midst of installing their K-member and front control arms now. Good stuff that is made right here in Pennsylvania and they also sponsor our site. You can see all the rear pieces in my profile pic.

**EPIDEMIC** · 03-07-2012, 10:07 PM

What does UMI mean??

**pajeff02** · 03-08-2012, 02:58 AM

Good question -- I'll shoot Ryan a PM and ask.

**tatertot91** · 03-08-2012, 04:18 AM

Originally Posted by EPIDEMIC

What does UMI mean??

It's a company, they make really nice stuff and i too recommend them.
Welcome to the site by the way

**pajeff02** · 03-08-2012, 08:25 AM

^^ This. They make great stuff! UMI Performance is the complete company name. Here is a link to their site: UMI Performance Inc.

I still am curious as to what "UMI" stands for though.

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-08-2012, 08:49 AM

Originally Posted by EPIDEMIC

What does UMI mean??

Originally Posted by pajeff02

Good question -- I'll shoot Ryan a PM and ask.

1st rule of UMI is you do not ask about UMI......etc...

Seriously, they are a great company that makes high quality suspension products while not raping our wallets.

You can count me too as a UMI guy.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 03-08-2012, 01:01 PM

USA Manufactured Ingenuity ....just made that up

**EPIDEMIC** · 03-08-2012, 03:11 PM

Oh man! I forgot that first rule.. crap. Haha. Well, looks like I'm adding another bookmark to my browser and doing more work. Goodness, if I spent half the effort doing homework when I was in school as I am doing for my maro, I'd be set.

***SMWS6TA*** · 03-09-2012, 08:06 AM

I'd recommend doing these first if you haven't already.

Do a complete fluids/filter change. Spend some time going over it. Get all the necessary things functioning and fix all the nuance things out of the way first. No point in throwing mods at it if you have needed repairs.

Now if that's all done, like everyone else has posted...suspension and drive train mods. You won't see that much in performance but if you don't you'll end up wishing you had.

**EPIDEMIC** · 03-09-2012, 03:40 PM

Oh yes! That's the first thing I did. I've spent the last 6 months going from system to system doing filters and fluids. I also picked up some drilled and slotted rotors, and some ceramic pads. But thanks for the advice! I'm actually looking forward to suspension and stiffening up the body a bit.

**WILDKARDBOYZ** · 03-09-2012, 09:04 PM

well i on the other hand went different than jeff did see i wasnt a member and i was out west in wy i now live in pa lol but thats another story.. i did bmr everything as far as the gears i went with motive gears and i did 3.73 gears good all around from the stocks and man did it wake the car right up.. after i did my susspension i went straight for the headers wow that made a huge difference as well... another guy to look at is new area performance parts.com the owner is mark and he is down to earth and awesome guys they will shoot you straight.. i have purchased everything from this guy no regrets at all.. let me know with what ever i can help with i am always glad to see another hopped up camaro on the road......

**WILDKARDBOYZ** · 03-09-2012, 09:05 PM

by the way im from texas as well the valley. maybe make it that way this summer

**EPIDEMIC** · 03-10-2012, 06:11 AM

Headers were my most recent upgrade and man, oh MAN!! with no cats as well, this thing is loud!! im just waiting to get pulled over because of the volume with the slp loudmouth bullet too. Anyways what was the website you mentioned? I have no idea where the valley is lol, im very very new to texas, i came out of the northwest which is why my paint is still good. Thanks for the help

**WICKEDLS1** · 03-10-2012, 06:27 AM

hate to be the bear of bad news but with out H/C/I you will not get in the 450 range unless you spray. dont do the MSD coils like previously stated because there one of the worst HP/$ expense and not worth the 850 for them to get 1 MPG if that. personally i only had LCA's and a PHB on my ss camaro and didnt have a hard time hooking at the track on drag radials. as far as cams go its not the bigger the better like some would have you think but more what works best together. i just had a 228r on a 112 lsa with a set of 243's and a small stall and was running 11.7-11.6 with just an ok 60'. not to mention running off and leaving guys that put MS3's and such in a stock headed ls car. just do your research on here and know exactly what YOU want.

**EPIDEMIC** · 03-14-2012, 06:01 AM

What is "H/C/I"? I looked it up but wasn't having any luck. What's the cost effectiveness of it?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 03-14-2012, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by EPIDEMIC

What is "H/C/I"? I looked it up but wasn't having any luck. What's the cost effectiveness of it?

Heads / Cam / Intake

All depends on what you get as far as cost goes. Prices vary largely based on brand. Your stock heads are 241's. Next best option is 243's or 799's. Then, you get into even better heads like Trick Flow and AFR.

Cams pretty much all run the same price

Intake upgrade would be something like a FAST set-up. However, your LS6 intake you have now is a pretty good intake.