Chevrolet Camaro 1967-2002 - My new 01 SS & I have $1,500 to spare... What do I do?

So I'm buying my brothers 2001 SS 6-speed black on black T-tops w/ 100k miles on Saturday. It's my Bro's and he's the only owner so I know he hasn't beaten on it but he's also not as mechanically inclined as myself so it's all stock with what I assume just usual and standard maintenance done. I got it for a steal and mechanically its perfect just could use some paint. I have about $1,500 to spend on fixing it up to my liking with some bolt on's and whatever else helps make it fast and smooth. I'm new to LS1's and Camaro's in general, I've been a bagged and body dropped truck guy for the most part. I don't plan on spending any of the $1,500 on paint, that can be done later... What I want to know is what is the best bang for the buck performance wise, what suspension stuff should i look into, and what would you do with the extra $1,500 on your Camaro? I'm imagining intake, exhaust, programmer? Stuff like that but let me know whats the best start for an all stock LS1, and what should I worry about maintenance wise on a 100k mile 2001 SS? I don't have any pics of the SS yet but here are some of my trucks... Just sold the F-150... Still have the bagged and body dropped 72 C/10 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nqRjvjuamsI) I have for sale for $12,000
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long tube headers, off road or catted y pipe, dyno tune. prob eat up your 1500 bucks by the time you change the fluids and filters. congrats BTW.

long tube headers, off road or catted y pipe, dyno tune. prob eat up your 1500 bucks by the time you change the fluids and filters. congrats BTW.

What brand headers? I can do all the work myself in my own shop so I don't need to factor in labor. $1,500 in extra parts, I'll take care of the installation, and yea Dyno tune for sure with someone who knows these LS1's I'm in Chico around Sacramento if anyone knows a good tune shop.

What brand headers? I can do all the work myself in my own shop so I don't need to factor in labor. $1,500 in extra parts, I'll take care of the installation, and yea Dyno tune for sure with someone who knows these LS1's I'm in Chico around Sacramento if anyone knows a good tune shop.

Well, I just went with 1 7/8 stainless from TSP. Kooks, QTP and the like are the higher end..there are a crap load of companies to choose from.

TSP is supposed to be opening a new line up of STAINLESS 1 7/8 headers for alot less $, I believe they are taking orders now, or shop in the classifieds 4 others.BTW he should have an LS6 Intake on it if it's stock so keep that for a while ..do a search on "free mods" to to get a few more h.p. if u dont have luck i have a write up that i wrote and saved in a PM to a few friends..

Lid, ported throttle body, strano springs & shocks, catback of your choice and whatever other little things that will need to be done to a 100k mile car.

long tube headers for sure, a good cam would make a difference, and any of the above mentioned additions. if its got a stock shifter, i would look into an aftermarket piece as well.

I'd do sub-frame connectors 1st as these cars (well all F bodies since the beginning) are of a "Twist-O-Flex" design (read: unibody). SFC's stiffen it up nicely.

In Cali it's illegal to modify the exhaust, at least before the cats with the exception of approved (EO type) shorty headers.

Smooth lid of some type will clean up the underhood nicely and will net a few ponies to boot.

I believe you can get away with a 228 cam and still pass smog. Post up in the Western section and you'll find folks that can answer questions about this and other things you can do legally.

My list so far

228 Cam (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Custom-Grind-LS1-LS6-Camshaft-228-228-588-588-114LSA-/290611701390?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item43a9cea68e#ht_500wt_956)

Sub Frame Connectors (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1993-2002-Camaro-F-Body-Sub-Frame-Subframe-Connectors-/120771527821?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item1c1e8b448d#ht_2927wt_1165)

Ported Throttle Body (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS1-Ported-Throttle-Body-TB-98-02-Camaro-Firebird-GTO-/190397849126?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2c54989e26#ht_3815wt_939)

SLP Lid (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SLP-21045-2000-02-Camaro-Induction-Lid-Cold-Air-Intake-/160652968261?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2567a9c145#ht_686wt_939)

Cheap Longtube's (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS1-5-7L-V8-CAMARO-FIREBIRD-LONG-TUBE-HEADER-EXHAUST-LS-/150615575885?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&fits=Model%3ACamaro&hash=item2311634d4d#ht_3562wt_1165)

All this and then I'll have a little extra for the other stuff I need to put it all on and what not... Are these super ghetto headers? Or should I really shell out $500 for the good stuff? And after I put all this on I would get a dyno tune from a reputable Norcal LS1 tuner which I heard is about $500... Is this a good setup? It'll be around $1,500 +/- $300

And probably a Hurst short throw, or are those already on 01 SS'?

it may have a factory hurst shifter, but if hurst is your brand, go for the billet plus.