Getting Married, $2500 in gift money...

Ok, before I get chastized for not searching, I did a little bit of searching, didnt find a whole lot, got lazy, started working on a friends PC, and now here I am. I am getting married in a week, and as everyone knows, along with that is a profuse amount of gift money. The to be wife loves camaro's, and thats why she is the to be wife! I have simple bolt-ons so far, Magnaflow catback, lid, filter, and a home made air scoop resembling the SSRA. I am planning on putting a hood, mabee some wheels, headers, and not sure what else from there. How else would you guys spend $2500? As you can see, the wheels in the pic are kind of gay, I was thinking about some Z06 wheels, but I havent decided. The hood I kind of like I belive is refered to as the camaro WS6 hood, but I also like the SLP Ultra Z hood, although it is twice the price.

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/6/web/2262000-2262999/2262296_1_full.jpg

Opinions please!

I girl on here said it the best, a camaro with a ram air hood is like a girl with a weiner LOL

That being said, I would FOR SURE get the wheels, maybe a cowl hood, lower it, tinted windows, headers, stuff like that.

Generally speaking I dont really like the looks of a cowl hood, the windows are tinted, but lowering is a good idea. how far? any good kits?
whats good for ceramic headers, on somewhat of a budget? Minnesota doesnt do emissions checks, so I was thinking pacesetter LT's and a ORY, feeding into my magnaflow.
What would look the best for wheels on mine? anyone intirested in buying my wheels if I do?

I like the C5 Z06 wheels, not to pricey either. Best bang for the buck header is the pacesetter I think. I am doing that and the ORY to feed into my magnaflow also.

I like the Eibach pro-kit springs. It drops the car far enough to look good but not enough to affect driveability. Can also find them used with not a lot of miles on them.

Might look into some gears then get it tuned :)

Want some advice ... doesn't matter how much the new wife loves Camaros or is in agreement to spend gift money on the car ... If you don't spend that money on something for the home ... she's going file it away and use it to beat you over the head with later, as point of how much you don't care about her ...

Exactly.

The people who gave it to you will also think you're weird for spending wedding money on your Camaro instead of something more worthwhile.

Well, in defense of that, we dont have a home, we have an apartment, that we have fully stocked. we dont really want to get a home right now. this is her car, that I get to drive from time to time, and camaros are important enough to us to have 6 camaros, from 67 to 02 as a processional in the wedding. And, she is budgeting half or less of the predicted gift money on the car, the rest of it goes twards other things. This, belive it or not, is what she wants!

i agree with what was stated...for god's sake...don't do the WS6 style hood. the ultra Z is much better.

chrome ZO6 rims would look killer on the car.

and the coated pacesetter headers are a great choice.

Thank you for that opinion. what about a hood like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8075622175&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

i agree with what was stated...for god's sake...don't do the WS6 style hood. the ultra Z is much better.

chrome ZO6 rims would look killer on the car.

and the coated pacesetter headers are a great choice.

I second that notion...:thumb:

but !PLZ!....do something w/ those..........those things that you/she mounted tires on... The Zo6's would be great!

If you can, I don't know your cop situation, take the front plate off....

Thank you for that opinion. what about a hood like this?
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8075622175&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

I think it looks a little ricey... But hew, things like hoods are appearence mods, because your ssra thing flows alot better anyway. You need ot buy a hood based on what the two of you like most. We cant tell you what we would like to see on your car everyday.

I'd get rid of the ugly wing, the ugly wheels and those ugly red emblems. Then it would look like a camaro.

turn your cap sideways and say yo!http://i16.ebayimg.com/01/i/07/6a/cd/f7_1_b.JPG
in my opinion if you wanna get a real nice hood then get the ss.
that one looks the best to me.
http://image.inkfrog.com/pix/FiberglassFabricatorsInc/98_02gray1.jpg

as for rims i've always liked these http://images.andale.com/f2/106/105/7940566/1097559229663_m505.jpeg especially with a black car

pacesetter long tube headers and y pipe is the best bang for the buck

I agree, get rid of the wheels and that spoiler first.
For springs don't get Eibiotch. They're prone to settling lower in the rear after a while. I suggest Hotchkiss or BMR. While you're doing that get some good shocks and do the other suspension mods.
If the car is an A4, get a converter!

I'm not digging that ebay hood, either. Might as well slap a typeR sticker on the back while you're at it.

I think they got it right the first time from the factory with the SS hood.

I dont know about anyone else, but i agree with wheels too, that the factory did it right with the ten spoke SS wheels. About the only thing that looks better to me is Z06 wheels

Stall or 5.0 shifter

10 spoke ss wheels with 275/40/17 nitto 555r in the back and nitto 555 in the front

headers, ory

SFCs, LCAs, LCA Brackets

and if you have any left save it for a better intake system and h/c

a converter, as in torque converter? and am I guessing you all like the ultra z hood? i didnt think the one on ebay was that horrible looking, but thats why im looking for opinions. I think I have decided on Z06 wheels, but the wife to be doesnt want a SS hood. she says there are too many out there with that, and she is right, there are a lot out there with it. We want something different, but certinally not ugly, and something that the rest of the camaro community will like, because we do a lot of shows and cruises with our club.

also, any good cheap place to get something along the line of an ultra z hood for less than $700?

The only hood I'l go with is a stock/factory or factory looking ss hood. That aftermarket like in the picture is too fat at the end. Wheels, either Z06, ZR1, or TT2. Those are great rims for f-body's and if you wanna spend a **** load go with Fiske. Spoilers need to go with the SS or 5" LG Sport. Eibach springs are cheap, I have LG Motorsports kit that runs about $1,000.00.

Hey Goldwing. REALLY man, Buy what your wife and you like best on appearence. like me, I HATE THE MATTE BLACK BERGER PANEL on camaros... lots of people love them. Its all on your taste, whos anyone to tell you it looks bad if you like it? Ricers dont care what we think so they continue to screw on plastic body kits and huge wings on FWD cars... If you like your ebay hood, get it.

Something you might have not looked into is blackouts for the headlights/tailights. They look great on black cars, look at mine:

http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f157/ghostz28/d0fe752f.jpg
http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f157/ghostz28/98bfe340.jpg

Damn... is that a clean car or what...

I dont know about anyone else, but i agree with wheels too, that the factory did it right with the ten spoke SS wheels.

Haha... good point. I got a set of those wheels on mine. :)

Maybe its just me but that ebay hood doesnt look too ricey to me. How many ricers do you see riding around with hoods that look like that? I see several ricers riding around with hoods that look like the original SS hood (SRT4...Supras...GT3000s...etc.)

those are damn fine wheels, and a damn fine car! I had blackouts on the tail lights, and I really liked them, but they were getting too lose, and I was afraid they were going to fall off on the highway and hit someone. cant have that, now can we? Because of that, I actually put on some decent looking aftermarket tail lights. simple round lenses with a carbon fiber looking backround. they are dark, and they seem to go well with the car, not like crome alzeta's would. Im certianally not planning on the body kit, but the reason I am looking at a hood is because I have 2 pretty big dents and paint chips in the current hood. cant quite see from the picture, but they are there. more so than a paintless dent repair guy can take care of.
I guess the biggest debate is still hoods..
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8075486696&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8075622175&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT

again, nice car. Im guessing you are in a 1 plate state? if not, have you ever gotten any issues for it?

If I had $2500 to spend on the car, a Strange 12-bolt would already be on the way to my house.

if i had 2500 bucks, it would go to a damn good set of heads. how many miles on the car? if ists almost time for a rebuild, get some forged pistons and get some heads with a smaller combustion chamber.

65k for miles now. would heads and such be a good idea if i dont have other things done, like headers, camshaft, and such like that?

Seems as though your mentality is preventing you from moving into a house.

$2500 would go towards the downpayment on a house if I were in your shoes.

I second the house, but if the wife wants car stuff, go for it.

Hey I saw some carbon fiber lights sprayed wit ha thin coat of NiteShades, LOOKED GREAT.

Ya Oklahoma is 1 plate so far, and no emisisons... hehe love it here.

Thanks for the props on the car.

I know you said the wife loves camaro's and you are having a camaro parade, but I dont think this is the way to go with the money. Start saving and get a house. $2500 is a good start. Also, if I was giving you some gift money for a marriage, I am not sure what to think of it going to car upgrades. People typically assume that it is going to a house, furniture, or some other household need, not a car want. Just my $.02.

Congrats on getting married. I have been married 2.5 years now and love it.

not to be off topic, but not everybody wants a house as a lifelong dream. thats why they make condos, townhomes, apartments you can buy, etc. if this man and his wife are satisfied with their housing situation, just be happy for him that he was lucky enough to find a woman that can appreciate and enjoy our hobby with him. besides, who are we to say he doesn't have a different pot of money for that kind of stuff set aside. as far as heads without supporting mods, check this out:

http://www.thunderracing.com/catalog/?action=vshop&vid=3&pcid=289

i believe you might be able to get the heads by themselves and make some surprising power

Thank you!
as far as a house, you are correct, that is a whole different ball game, and is taken care of differently. I have $2500 to spend on the car, and that is all that really needs to be said. As far as other people not being happy with it, that is certinally not the only money we are getting, and the rest of it is going to new furniture. I sincerely appreciate all the good suggestions on this page, but i would appreciate it if my financial decisions are not questioned. She is to be my wife, and i am here only to make her happy. It makes her happy to have a show car, to go to shows, to go on cruises, and such like that. I belive that it is best to do your research, and do the majority of work yourself, and that is why I am here. This forum has been such a wealth of knowledge, and I do greatly appreciate that.

One other question. I belive we have decided on the lower, non WS6 hood.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8075622175&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
the question is, anyone have any ideas who and how much can put the realistic looking flames on the scoop, as if it looked like fire was coming out of the scoop? In this picture, you will get the idea of the flames I am talking about.
http://www.overhaulin.com/images/gallery_main.jpg

Again, I sincerely appreciate all the help and advice you have all given me.

One other question. I belive we have decided on the lower, non WS6 hood.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1,1&item=8075622175&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT
the question is, anyone have any ideas who and how much can put the realistic looking flames on the scoop, as if it looked like fire was coming out of the scoop? In this picture, you will get the idea of the flames I am talking about.
http://www.overhaulin.com/images/gallery_main.jpg



If you are starting with $2500 and buying then painting a hood then you don't have anywhere near enough money for realistic flames. They are very pricey because of the difficulty and artistry of doing them right.

good to know. thanks

I know. I know. You don't want to hear any more crap about how to spend your money, especially from an LT1 guy, but what a women says--or you think she says (before the marriage) is going to be sooooo much different after you get married. Spending that dough on your car is insanity. These cars will take enough of your money anyway until you decide you have had enough and dump the car altogether.

Knowing what I know now, I would put that money in the bank until after the wedding---hold onto it and make the decision together on how best to blow it.

As sure as I am writing this, I know you won't listen to anybody that has advised you not to spend it on the car. It makes me feel good to say that you have been warned.

"don't ever offer advice, because wise men don't need it and fools won;t heed it." You see, I know better, I just can't help myself.:cool:

Well hows it go, I wish I knew then what I know now, or I wish I didn't know now what i didnt know then... it might go somethign like that in the future... BUT I suggest a heavy metal flake darker silver set of stripes coming from the scoop, and down the back of the car, all the way to the lower bumper. Then, take some "camaro" decals for the bumper, in silver, cut the lettering so that where the stripe goes down, there is no decal, and there its just black paint, the silver decal will be in the camaro letters. I've seen it before, looks great.