underhood access?

Do you think that the new camaro will be easier to work on then the 4gen such as changing plugs?I am curious if the motor is still going to be underneath the dash.

I think it will be easier to work under, I don't think it will be so far under the windshield cowl like the 4th gens. Other than the name, there will be nothing similar to the 4th gen Camaro.

Do you think that the new camaro will be easier to work on then the 4gen such as changing plugs?I am curious if the motor is still going to be underneath the dash.


The motor won't be under the dash because you aren't going to have a 68 degree rake or whatever it was on the front windshield of the 4th gen.

However, I think there will be more "stuff" under there than there was in 4th gens or any previous Camaro. Lots of extra wiring, hoses, etc. that can make any do-it-yourselfer crazy.

Or, I may be wrong and GM may actually figure out how to neatly tuck and wrap all that extra computer and emission controls out of the way as much as possible to present a clean and tidy engine bay.

But then there's always the infamous plastic engine cover we are seeing these days. A large piece of plastic covering everything, making it all look so nice and presentable. But when you take off the plastic to actually get to anything it looks like someone droped a basket of snakes.

Perhaps Scott could chime in on this if he reads it. I really would like to know how it's going under there and if they're working to make it look nice AND easy access to routine maintainence components.

Although, I don't forsee anything beyond oil and filter changes for the first 100k.

Although, I don't forsee anything beyond oil and filter changes for the first 100k.

It's gonna be hard to resist modding:D

Are there mods you can get that won't void the warranty? I've never had a vehicle that was under warranty.

It's gonna be hard to resist modding:D

Are there mods you can get that won't void the warranty? I've never had a vehicle that was under warranty.


Modding a car under warranty is not as frightening as some people think. They can't void your warranty on the whole car for adding headers, CAI, even pulleys or a hot cam. And if something does break, the manufacturer would have to prove that the aftermarket part cause the factory part to malfunction, and then and only then could they void the warranty on that specific part. So, if you installed a cam and and one of your valve springs broke, they could void the warranty on rebuilding your engine only after they take it appart and prove either the aftermarket cam or the improper installation directly cause the spring to break. Now, if they CAN'T prove your came broke the spring, they must cover your engine rebuild under warranty.

Likewise, if you modify your engine and then take it to the dealer for a computer code error, they again would have to prove what you did caused the malfunction. They can't just blatently void your warranty without investigating.

if it's anything like our '05 GTO (which is pretty likely), it will be easier to work under the hood than the fourth gens. you'll be able to reach all plugs easily, that's for sure.

however, if it's like the GTO, other things will be a total PITA... GTO front swaybar comments, anyone? lol

Maybe I'm crazy, but I didn't find it that hard to work on the 4th gens. <shrugs>

It will be much easier though on this gen as it will be more like the GTO was to work on, w/ nothing under the cowl.

However, I think there will be more "stuff" under there than there was in 4th gens or any previous Camaro. Lots of extra wiring, hoses, etc. that can make any do-it-yourselfer crazy.

Umm, this isn't 1979 anymore. Or even 1999. Have you ever looked under the hood of a GTO? There hasn't been less stuff under a hood since the mid 60s. No AIR pump. No EGR. No rats nest of vacuum hoses. The 05/06 cars don't even have throttle cables. The wiring for the engine is pretty basic really, injectors, TPS/ETC, a couple of sensors.

Modding a car under warranty is not as frightening as some people think. They can't void your warranty on the whole car for adding headers, CAI, even pulleys or a hot cam. And if something does break, the manufacturer would have to prove that the aftermarket part cause the factory part to malfunction, and then and only then could they void the warranty on that specific part. So, if you installed a cam and and one of your valve springs broke, they could void the warranty on rebuilding your engine only after they take it appart and prove either the aftermarket cam or the improper installation directly cause the spring to break. Now, if they CAN'T prove your came broke the spring, they must cover your engine rebuild under warranty.

Likewise, if you modify your engine and then take it to the dealer for a computer code error, they again would have to prove what you did caused the malfunction. They can't just blatently void your warranty without investigating.

If you think you're going to do a cam swap, blow your engine up and get GM to rebuild it, you're high.

While the magnusson-morrison act does kinda state what you're getting at, the fact of the matter is, GM and the dealerships have better lawyers then you do, and fighting them is going to cost you more than the repairs you hope to have covered. Proof is easy for them, diagnosing / fixing cars is what they do so there word is basically gold. The burden is on you to prove they're lying...good luck.

So for example, if you put LT headers on your car, then blow up the rear, if you're REALLY lucky they might replace it, but they could just as easily say you increased the power of the stock engine which caused the rear to fail and oh yeah, you also probably abused it since there is evidence of spinning wheels from the excessive tire wear.

Rest assured, you'd be laughed out of the service department if you think they'd cover a blown engine after you've done internal engine work. If you really want to pay them to tear it down to prove it to you that the broken spring dropped a valve, taking out a piston and the engine, they'd be happy to make you pay for the teardown as well as the new engine.

I want to be able to do a header swap as easily as on a L98 Vette from the 80s with the flip forward cowl. :D

Oh and I want to be able to push a button and the timing cover flips off and ejects the cam. ;)

I want to be able to do a header swap as easily as on a L98 Vette from the 80s with the flip forward cowl. :D

Oh and I want to be able to push a button and the timing cover flips off and ejects the cam. ;)

Will you be wearing a tool belt and carrying a hammer?

If want to get a glimpse of what to expect , peer into a engine bay of the current Holden Commodore and Pontiac G8 when it gets here . The core support and the airbox arrangement in the Camaro is likely to change . ECM location ( their tiny little things nowadays ) , wiring and the shock towers are likely to be quite similar ...if not exact.

Fastball- The wiring and packaging has actually gotten
much simplier and the modules and computers smaller in newer GM cars . The Can based electronics have made packaging so much simplier . The downside to that though , modifications to the electrical system arent newhere near as easy as they used to be .