2002 Camaro SS: From Stock to Not. [Pic Heavy]
08-06-2015, 07:54 PM
#1
2002 Camaro SS: From Stock to Not. [Pic Heavy] So after browsing through some old pictures of my car I decided to document my build from over the last 4 years..because....well, why not?! This is my first build and I've enjoyed the process so far, well, most of it! All the parts were installed by me and man, was it a learning experience!
So a little about the car when I bought it:
2002 Camaro SS- Onyx Black
Automatic (A4)
48K miles
Ebony Leather
Bone Stock down to paper filter
Mods: Silver 35th Anniversary Stripes
I am the second owner. The first owner was a 60 year old man who only drove it as a weekend summer car. Still to this day, the car has not seen snow or salt and has only seen rain a handful of times.
The day I bought her...
So a little about the car when I bought it:
2002 Camaro SS- Onyx Black
Automatic (A4)
48K miles
Ebony Leather
Bone Stock down to paper filter
Mods: Silver 35th Anniversary Stripes
I am the second owner. The first owner was a 60 year old man who only drove it as a weekend summer car. Still to this day, the car has not seen snow or salt and has only seen rain a handful of times.
The day I bought her...
Last edited by Camarokid327; 04-20-2016 at 03:51 PM.
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Catfish1031 (09-27-2019)
08-06-2015, 08:33 PM
#2
STAGE 1: Bolt-ons
So after several months of enjoying my stock SS, especially after driving a '95 3.4L Camaro for the previous 6 years, it was time to throw some more power at it!
Mods:
- Drilled/Slotted Rotors
- SLP Lid
- BBK Longtube headers (chrome)
- SLP Loudmouth 2 Catback
- ORY
- Metallic spun high flowing cats
- MSD super comp wires (not pictured)
- NGK TR5 spark plugs
After I installed all of the mods noted above it was time to get her tuned! Big thanks to Mike and Nick at Straightline Performance...great stand up guys and they both know their ****!!
Straightline Performance (Mustang Dyno)
Dyno Numbers: 341whp/354wtq
So after several months of enjoying my stock SS, especially after driving a '95 3.4L Camaro for the previous 6 years, it was time to throw some more power at it!
Mods:
- Drilled/Slotted Rotors
- SLP Lid
- BBK Longtube headers (chrome)
- SLP Loudmouth 2 Catback
- ORY
- Metallic spun high flowing cats
- MSD super comp wires (not pictured)
- NGK TR5 spark plugs
After I installed all of the mods noted above it was time to get her tuned! Big thanks to Mike and Nick at Straightline Performance...great stand up guys and they both know their ****!!
Straightline Performance (Mustang Dyno)
Dyno Numbers: 341whp/354wtq
Last edited by Camarokid327; 08-08-2015 at 11:28 AM.
08-06-2015, 09:03 PM
#4
STAGE 2: Engine Bay Makeover
The only downside to the car when I bought it was the original owner had Ziebart rust proofed the entire undercarriage and engine bay. So after HOURS of scrubbing until my fingers were raw and a gallon of Tar Remover was used, I was able to remove all that crap from the bay.
After a lonnggggg cleaning.
Next I completed the wire tuck mod and air delete. Next, I attacked the following with Duplicolor rattle can paint:
- Paint entire engine bay gloss black with clear
- Paint LS6 intake, throttle body, valve covers, front bumper/headlight support, coil packs and a few other small parts.
The Final Look:
[/URL]
The only downside to the car when I bought it was the original owner had Ziebart rust proofed the entire undercarriage and engine bay. So after HOURS of scrubbing until my fingers were raw and a gallon of Tar Remover was used, I was able to remove all that crap from the bay.
After a lonnggggg cleaning.
Next I completed the wire tuck mod and air delete. Next, I attacked the following with Duplicolor rattle can paint:
- Paint entire engine bay gloss black with clear
- Paint LS6 intake, throttle body, valve covers, front bumper/headlight support, coil packs and a few other small parts.
The Final Look:
[/URL]
Last edited by Camarokid327; 04-20-2016 at 03:53 PM.
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Z28_Demon (06-25-2019)
08-06-2015, 09:57 PM
#5
STAGE 3: Suspension Overhaul
Mods:
- Bilstein Struts/Shocks
- Strano/BMR lowering springs
Founders Lower Control Arms, Relocation Brackets, and Panhard Bar. (upper & lower)
- UMI Sway bars (front & rear)
- BMR Torque Arm
Once everything was buttoned up and several hundred miles on the new set up I swapped the front Strano springs to BMR's due to the Strano's providing 0 drop from before. This was documented, argued (with Sam), and locked on two previous threads. (click here to see the lack of drop and here to see the difference between Strano and BMR)
Overall, the car felt like it was on rails and took corners like a champ! the car felt much more solid than it did on the stock set up and any time of "floating" feel was gone. Bottom line, worth every penny!
Stance on BMR Fronts/Strano rears (with HH mod)....sorry for the crappy instagram photo.
Mods:
- Bilstein Struts/Shocks
- Strano/BMR lowering springs
Founders Lower Control Arms, Relocation Brackets, and Panhard Bar. (upper & lower)
- UMI Sway bars (front & rear)
- BMR Torque Arm
Once everything was buttoned up and several hundred miles on the new set up I swapped the front Strano springs to BMR's due to the Strano's providing 0 drop from before. This was documented, argued (with Sam), and locked on two previous threads. (click here to see the lack of drop and here to see the difference between Strano and BMR)
Overall, the car felt like it was on rails and took corners like a champ! the car felt much more solid than it did on the stock set up and any time of "floating" feel was gone. Bottom line, worth every penny!
Stance on BMR Fronts/Strano rears (with HH mod)....sorry for the crappy instagram photo.
Last edited by Camarokid327; 08-07-2015 at 08:58 PM.
08-06-2015, 10:19 PM
#6
STAGE 4: Cam & Converter
Well, like we all know too well, the bolt-ons can only keep a smile on our faces for only so long. SO, next came the cam swap and Yank SS3600 install!
Mods:
- TSP 228R 112
- Pac 1219 Valve Springs
- 7.4 Hardened Pushrods
- LS2 Timing Chain
- Yanks SS3600 Stall
- Hayden Trans Cooler
- Poly Motor Mounts
- 3" E-Cutout
My cutout switch location and new trans temp gauge.
Once everything was buttoned up, it was off to Straightline Performance again and letting Mike work his magic!
New Dyno Numbers: 410whp / 374wtq
Well, like we all know too well, the bolt-ons can only keep a smile on our faces for only so long. SO, next came the cam swap and Yank SS3600 install!
Mods:
- TSP 228R 112
- Pac 1219 Valve Springs
- 7.4 Hardened Pushrods
- LS2 Timing Chain
- Yanks SS3600 Stall
- Hayden Trans Cooler
- Poly Motor Mounts
- 3" E-Cutout
My cutout switch location and new trans temp gauge.
Once everything was buttoned up, it was off to Straightline Performance again and letting Mike work his magic!
New Dyno Numbers: 410whp / 374wtq
Last edited by Camarokid327; 04-20-2016 at 03:56 PM.
08-06-2015, 10:36 PM
#7
Stage 5: Tasteful Appearance Mods
Aesthetic changes..
- Tinted corner/side markers
- Tinted windows (20% all around)
- Center Mount Exhaust
- Painting undercarriage, wheel wells, spindal, and rear end.
- Carbon Fiber wrap on sail panel triangle, T-top bar, and engine pieces.
- Chrome Camaro letter inserts and EmblemPro's "SS" badges.
- SLP "SS" front grille
Aesthetic changes..
- Tinted corner/side markers
- Tinted windows (20% all around)
- Center Mount Exhaust
- Painting undercarriage, wheel wells, spindal, and rear end.
- Carbon Fiber wrap on sail panel triangle, T-top bar, and engine pieces.
- Chrome Camaro letter inserts and EmblemPro's "SS" badges.
- SLP "SS" front grille
Last edited by Camarokid327; 08-06-2015 at 10:44 PM.
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Z28_Demon (06-25-2019)
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08-06-2015, 11:01 PM
#8
STAGE 6: Heads/Intake Upgrade & BOOM! 
After a year of being cam only (5 months actually driven..thanks Chicago weather) the mod bug was itching again! This time it was finishing up the top end.
Mods:
- Ported 243 heads
- FAST 102mm intake
- NW 92mm throttle body
- Holley fuel rails
- Powerbond 25% UD pulley
I ended up ditching the black/silver color theme and began repainting everything a semi-gloss black, which included..
- Headlight support brackets
- Hood latch brackets
- Coil pack brackets
- Valve covers
- Fuse Box bracket
- MAF
I wanted the focal point to be the monstrous FAST 102 intake. I know a lot of people hate the bare gray color of a FAST but I've always like it for some reason. I am very happy with the way the engine bay turned out but still would like to relocate the EVAP canister to somewhere under the fuse boxes as well as the Transmission dipstick. (not sure how though)
You guess it, back to Finishline Performance for some new numbers!
New Dyno Numbers: 458whp / 414wtq
50 Miles later...BOOM! goes the transmission.
Just ordered a FLT Level 4 4l60E and will have an update as soon as I pick it up and install it. Until then I will leave with this pic and how I spent my 4th of July...(right after leaving a car show)
After a year of being cam only (5 months actually driven..thanks Chicago weather) the mod bug was itching again! This time it was finishing up the top end.
Mods:
- Ported 243 heads
- FAST 102mm intake
- NW 92mm throttle body
- Holley fuel rails
- Powerbond 25% UD pulley
I ended up ditching the black/silver color theme and began repainting everything a semi-gloss black, which included..
- Headlight support brackets
- Hood latch brackets
- Coil pack brackets
- Valve covers
- Fuse Box bracket
- MAF
I wanted the focal point to be the monstrous FAST 102 intake. I know a lot of people hate the bare gray color of a FAST but I've always like it for some reason. I am very happy with the way the engine bay turned out but still would like to relocate the EVAP canister to somewhere under the fuse boxes as well as the Transmission dipstick. (not sure how though)
You guess it, back to Finishline Performance for some new numbers!
New Dyno Numbers: 458whp / 414wtq
50 Miles later...BOOM! goes the transmission.
Just ordered a FLT Level 4 4l60E and will have an update as soon as I pick it up and install it. Until then I will leave with this pic and how I spent my 4th of July...(right after leaving a car show)
Last edited by Camarokid327; 08-07-2015 at 10:47 AM.
08-09-2015, 07:41 PM
#11
Thanks, I appreciate it!
It was a great 50 miles hahah
A few highway pulls on the way home from the tuner, a casual cruise to a July 4th car show and then goodbye trans right after leaving the show.
Once I pick up and install the new trans this week i'll really get to test the new setup!
Wheels are the last piece to the puzzle but won't be added for a while. I'm leaning towards some Weld RTS wheels, most likely 18x10 fronts and 18x11 rears since the car is a 100% weekend street car.
A few highway pulls on the way home from the tuner, a casual cruise to a July 4th car show and then goodbye trans right after leaving the show.
Once I pick up and install the new trans this week i'll really get to test the new setup!Wheels are the last piece to the puzzle but won't be added for a while. I'm leaning towards some Weld RTS wheels, most likely 18x10 fronts and 18x11 rears since the car is a 100% weekend street car.
09-01-2015, 01:45 PM
#14
Figured I would give a quick update on the car.
So after suddenly losing all gears while driving to a 4th of July party I figured it was time to upgrade to something a little more reliable/durable. I gave the guys over at FLT a call and after spending some time chatting with Chuck about the car's current set up and future plans he recommend their 4l60e Level 4 trans. From the time I ordered it to the day I picked it up both Chuck and Adam were there to answer any questions I had and even gave me several update calls on the transmissions progress. In a time and age where most companies just want to sell you something and move on to the next possible sale, these guys really take the time to get to know you, the car, and your TRUE needs. Never once did I fell like I was trying to be sold something I did not need. Top notch customer service and all around great guys to deal with, they have a customer for life right here!
Now on to the transmission
With this being my first build and built transmission I really didn't know what to expect, nor did I have any idea how god awful a stock stalled 4l60e really was. I cannot explain how amazing this transmission feels! The shifts are quick/smooth and the car feels like it pulls even harder than before!! It's almost as though it delivers the power more efficiently to the wheels than the stock one did.
Before, it was hard to get the car sideways or even chirp the tires when smashing the peddle to the floor from any speed. I simply chalk this up to all of my suspension upgrades and having a good set up (in my opinion) but with this new bad boy, I am finding myself breaking the tires loose and fighting the *** end from coming around at almost any speed below 45mph!! Really makes me question how much torque/power was truly being absorbing/lost through the stock unit. Bottom line, this FLT lvl 4 trans is bad *** and worth every penny!
Out with the old shitty stocker...
And in with the new! So fresh and so clean clean!
So after suddenly losing all gears while driving to a 4th of July party I figured it was time to upgrade to something a little more reliable/durable. I gave the guys over at FLT a call and after spending some time chatting with Chuck about the car's current set up and future plans he recommend their 4l60e Level 4 trans. From the time I ordered it to the day I picked it up both Chuck and Adam were there to answer any questions I had and even gave me several update calls on the transmissions progress. In a time and age where most companies just want to sell you something and move on to the next possible sale, these guys really take the time to get to know you, the car, and your TRUE needs. Never once did I fell like I was trying to be sold something I did not need. Top notch customer service and all around great guys to deal with, they have a customer for life right here!
Now on to the transmission
With this being my first build and built transmission I really didn't know what to expect, nor did I have any idea how god awful a stock stalled 4l60e really was. I cannot explain how amazing this transmission feels! The shifts are quick/smooth and the car feels like it pulls even harder than before!! It's almost as though it delivers the power more efficiently to the wheels than the stock one did. Before, it was hard to get the car sideways or even chirp the tires when smashing the peddle to the floor from any speed. I simply chalk this up to all of my suspension upgrades and having a good set up (in my opinion) but with this new bad boy, I am finding myself breaking the tires loose and fighting the *** end from coming around at almost any speed below 45mph!! Really makes me question how much torque/power was truly being absorbing/lost through the stock unit. Bottom line, this FLT lvl 4 trans is bad *** and worth every penny!
Out with the old shitty stocker...
And in with the new! So fresh and so clean clean!
Last edited by Camarokid327; 09-01-2015 at 01:54 PM.
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Z28_Demon (06-25-2019)
