Hello all,
I'm the PROUD owner of a 1999 SS, with SLP performance parts, and I am also a new member to the site. I've been wanting to learn more about the ins and outs of Camaros and I figured what better way to learn than from other Camaro owners. Anyway, the question I have is pertaining to HP gains and performance parts. Like I stated earlier, I have 1999 SS with a 6-speed hurst shifter, T-tops, and the SLP performance options from the factory (Loudmouth exhaust etc). I am currently around ~320rwhp and would like to get up around 400. I want to start adding performance upgrades here and there but I'm not really sure where to start. I have contemplated putting in a K&N cold air intake system to gain 10-15HP, but other than that, I'm not sure what direction to take in order to get the most gain for my $ and not sacrifice any of the SLP performance parts that have already been added. Any thoughts? Thanks for any and all help!

 

First off, the loudmouth is not an SLP factory option. Its aftermarket. If you want 400rwhp you will need to get a lid, long tube headers, y-pipe, and an aggressive cam.....or a milder cam and some heads.....and a tune.

 

Yeah your first mod should be long tubes. look in to pacesetters they are cheap and they seem to fit well try and stay away from SLP LT's they generally have a fitment issue. Kooks are nice if you have the money. ORY (off road y pipe) after that you could look in to fast intake manifold and a larger or ported throttle body. The idea you are looking for here is just like any other motor. The more air you can get in and out and the faster you can do it. The more power you can make. After you have freed up your intake and exhaust system. If it were me i would look in to a cam and clutch. I have to run out the door now but there is a great deal of info just look around. I will try and give you more information later. Oh right one more thing. your 10 bolt rear end. They are not very stout. Its really a crap shoot. If you are going to turn your car in to a monster. Think about getting a new rear. You should be fine with bolt on's and dont let it keep you up at night. However they are the weak point in the drive train. Dont waist your money in building it up just buy a new one if or when it break. Any way i think your going to be fine with bolt on and if you stay away from slicks. However since you have the M6 tranny its harder on it. Any way have fun good luck ill write more later.

 

Sorry, I should have been a little more clear when I said from factory, what I was trying to say was that the car was ordered brand new from the dealer as a SS with SLP performance options, I still have the original dealer papers from the previous owner. Another question, since I'm in rural Iowa, I don't exactly have any decent auto part stores around here and if I want to order anything for the car I have to do it online. Any suggestions on what sites offer reliable service and decent prices? Thanks again, and I'll look into some LT's.

 

well we try to support our sponsors with out them we would have no Cz28.

 

Yeah at the top of the page is a link to our supporting vendors. Go to their sites look around and don't be afraid to call and talk with them.

 

Are you sure you're around 320? With the mods listed and it being a 99 I'd bet more like 305-310.

1st: Change your brake fluid. Go with ATE spuerblue or Valvoline Syn. Your SS probably has the same fluid GM put in from the factory.
2nd : Put a short stick on that factory Hurst.
3rd: Make sure you have GOOD tires, not the hard junk that comes on the car.
4th: SFC's
5th: LCA's and relo brackets

See where I'm going with this? No, these mods aren't as cool as modding to where you KNOW you're making 320 whp or more, but what good is more power if you can't put down what you have and if you can't stop quick enough with what you have?

Build the car up, not just the engine.

 

You could be right about the HP on my car. I've read some literature about the 99 SS with the SLP parts and talked with the previous owner and both sources say that they are estimated to have around 320 HP but that could be a high estimate. I would agree that it is more like 310 or 315 at most. I also agree with you about upgrading the brake and suspension areas. Doesn't do a person any good to have a lot of HP if you can't stop. As far as tires go, I've been doing a lot of research lately on tires (since I don't want to spend a lot of money on crap) and I'm planning on going with Goodyear Eagle F1 GS-D3 (275/40ZR-17s all the way around. One question I did have, and sorry if this sounds dumb, I'm still trying to learn as much as I can about the car, but what advantages can be seen from putting a short stick on my Hurst?

 

The factory Hurst is kinda crappy compared to aftermarket shifters such as the Pro 5.0, but a short stick will give shifting a better feel. The stock ones almost feel like you're rowing a boat.

 

The shorter stick means you have less distance to go between gears to you can shift quicker.
It feels more firm because you get rid of the rubber isolator in the stock stick.

Whichever stick you get, either cut a strip of rubber, like and piece of inner tube to sandwich between the stick and the shifter or do what I did and dip the bottom end of it in plasticoat. This doesn't affect the firm shifting but sure gets rid of tranny noise you'll have otherwise.

I have the pro 5.0 now, but the change from factory hurst to 5.0 was not as noticable as the change from stock stick to short stick.

 

We're in nebraska so shipping time would be fairly short for ya since your in iowa. Much agreed too on LT's for first mod, also a lid and filter. What is your budget like? What is your final goal with the car? Will it be a daily driver? Also take good care of it since you have all those dealer papers and what not :-D