CGSmith0524

Good Morning LS1 Tech,

I've been a lurker for many years (About 10), and finally decided to join a year or so ago. I don't post often, but I try to keep up and read certain threads every morning. I figured it was time to start a "Build Thread" on my 02 SS Camaro.

Back in March of 2011, I purchased my baby from the original owner in Manassas Virginia. Upon signing the title over, "Davin" had 12,800 miles on the odometer. As of today, 4 years later, we have just rolled over the 30,000 milestone!! For the most part, the car is all original, unmolested with the exception of a few upgrades.

Here are the details of the SLP Build 1338:

• SLP 345HP Center Mount Exhaust
• SLP Auburn High Torque Diff W/Aluminum Cover (Original 3.42 Gears)
• SLP Bilstein High Performance Suspension
• SLP Cold Air Intake
• SLP Chrome 10-Spoke Wheels
• SLP SS Grille
• SLP SS Floormats

Here is what I have added:

• SLP Strut Tower Brace (Powder Coated NBM to match the Engine Bay)
• SLP Chassis-Max Sub-Frame Connectors
• Monster Stage II Clutch (New in the Box)
• MGW Short Throw Shifter (New in the Box)
• Tick Performance Adjustable MC
• Ported & Polished TB by Potz Speed & Performance
• MSD 8.5 Super Conductor Wires
• NGK Plugs
• BMR Coil Springs W/Bilstein Shocks & Struts
• BMR Lower Control Arms
• BMR LCA Relocation Brackets (Bolt-On)
• BMR Adjustable Pan-Hard Bar
• Slotted & Cross Drilled Rotors W/Hawks Pads

The car is a fully loaded car that Was Not optioned with Traction Control, so it has a 3-Channel Rear-End AND it's a 6-Speed car. The car is also optioned with T-Tops and the 12-Disc Changer in back. In fact, the radio still has the original protector plate over the screen with the bar code on it.

Here is my question for the audience and I'll take all feedback, negative or positive. Anything that I've upgraded, I've kept the original parts to include the original master cylinder for the clutch, the original coil springs, PHB, and LCA's. If this was your car, would you leave it original, or would you continue to do bolt-on performance upgrades?

To be quite honest, I don't know how rare it is to find a 2002 SS that is equipped with the CME, Auburn High TQ Rear-End, Bilstein Suspension, and the 10-Spoke Chrome Wheels that Does Not have Traction Control. And since I drive my car, I don't consider 30,000 miles extremely low.

Thank You for all the input, good or bad!!

z28catfish

Super clean! That's one sweet ride. I'm jealous hahaha!

CGSmith0524

Thank You!! I try to keep it pristine. I'm pretty meticulous with maintenance, up-keep and the products I use.

CGSmith0524

Here's a few more pictures, to include some of the interior along with all the original documentation from GM and SLP.

joeformula

iTrader: (11)

If you intend on selling I'd keep it as stock as possible. If you don't think you'll get rid of it then mod away. Clean car though.

CGSmith0524

Hey Joe, thank you for your input! I have no plans to sell the car. I spent years looking for a one-owner, very low mileage SS Camaro that was fully loaded from SLP. The only option above this would have been the 1LE or a Berger SS. My pocket book would never allow me to own one of those rare jewels.... Ha Ha.

For Mods here is what I am considering:

Kooks 1 7/8 Long Tube Headers
Kooks "Y" Pipe merging into the Original SLP Loudmouth CME
Custom Grind Camshaft with Upgraded Valvetrain
3.90 Gears with new Axles in the Rear-End

But here are my questions:

Do I keep the EGR/AIR System or Delete it?
Do I spend the money for Hi-Flow Cats or Delete them as well?
Do I spend any money upgrading the 10-Bolt or just fork over a couple thousand for a new rear-end?

Again, anything that I have taken off to replace or upgrade, I have kept the original component in case there comes a time in my life where I have to sell it.

01 CamaroSS SLP

Beautiful SS. Its yours, i would do what makes you happy. Its not like its an ultra rare car and your going to hack it up. I would modify it while leaving the additional slp content that the car came with ( wheels, Grill, Center mount exhaust ) alone. That way your not taking anything away from the car. I would delete the air system it will clean up your engine bay a little. Your car is a 2002 so it doesn't have a egr system. If you plan on swapping the cam then i would upgrade your rear end. You might be able to get away with the stock 10 bolt with just bolt-ons if you don't launch hard with sticky tires but a cammed, bolt-on car could break the rear if you hook. If its just a cruiser/car show car then you might be fine with the stock rear. Logic tells me that if your wanting to add more power then your going to drive it hard at times and race it. I hope i cleared up some of your questions.

Shaper1

If it was me ,I would just leave it alone, it's all ready a nice peice!!!!

CGSmith0524

Thank you!! Sometimes it's so hard to leave something alone, especially when Chevrolet could have done so much better.... Know what I mean?!

CGSmith0524

Well, today was one of the first nice days here in the Tennessee Valley, so I decided to get both of my SS's out and give them a good cleaning.

My TBSS was extremely dirty, as it's my Daily Driver and has over 207,000 miles on the odometer. We drive it Everywhere and Love it!!

Enjoy the pics......

2002maroonZ28

Jesus Christ that is a beautiful SS

TransAmWS.6

That is gorgeous, reminds me of mines with 26k miles. I would do a H/C or drop in a nice procharger kit just so you can play with the fast cars out there if you wanted, but I'd keep it looking original and clean like you have it now.

97_ek

iTrader: (5)

Beautiful car for sure. If it were me, I would mod it performance-wise, but keep the looks original other than maybe wheels (but keep the originals if you do change). Based off previous experience though, if you start doing anything other than bolt-ons, that 10 bolt is going to grenade in a six-speed car. Might as well start saving up for that 9" or S60

CGSmith0524

Holy crap, see what I just did there..... Ha Ha!! Thank you for compliment!! I try to keep my SS as spotless as possible..... LOL

CGSmith0524

Thank You!! I honestly wish mine was back in the 20K mile range.... But, I've taken it on a few long road trips and never regretted any of them.

I haven't put much thought into replacing the heads. I wasn't sure how good the heads on our LS1's really are or how good they flowed. In fact, I couldn't even tell you if you can remove the heads while the engine is in the car.....

I've researched cams because not only would the additional power come in handy, but I'd like it to sound healthy. I'm extremely "OCD" so anything that comes off the car, I keep in a box labeled and my goal would be to continue the original looking theme.

CGSmith0524

Thank You!!

I go back and forth on the wheels all the time. I'm very partial to the Chrome 10-Spoke wheels because you never see them. However, I wish they were staggered with an 11" wheel outback. That would be awesome if an aftermarket company made them, but sadly, I can only find the ZR-1 5-Spoke Wheels, which are very popular on our 4th Gen Camaro's.

Bolt-On Performance Upgrades are probably the extent that I'll go. I've debated on a new rear-end, but it's so hard to justify $3000 or more, if I don't race it on a weekly or even a monthly basis. I don't drop the clutch at 5,000 RPM's and IMO- I don't beat on my car.

With that being said; Yes, I do get on it, and I do power shift it around 5,500, and I do occasionally kick'r sideways, but when I do launch- it's around 1500 RPM's and I'll ride the clutch a bit. I can go to the track, on Nitto 555 street tires and cut a 1.9 60' all day long, launching at 1500 RPM's and slipping the clutch just a tad. Now remind you, this is on my stock original clutch....

Now, I realize that people will say that the rear-end is a ticking time bomb waiting to explode, but I also believe it's how you take care of it and how you treat it. Granted, I just put NT05's on my car & I'm waiting to install my MGW Short Shifter W/Monster Stage II Clutch, so I may change my tune this summer (Ha Ha Ha)- But I do believe that if you upgraded the axles, put in a good ring & pinion (3.90) W/Solid Pinion Spacer, and a LPW Cover W/Brace Kit- the rear-end would last. As long as it's strictly bolt-ons and not a dedicated race car. Again, that's just my opinion. I believe the key would be setting it up properly.

97_ek

iTrader: (5)

You should be just fine with bolt-ons and not doing any really high rpm clutch dumps.

02dross

Very nice one of my favorite colors with all of the options I know that had to take a while to find well I know at least out here in cali you don't see em with all those original options low milage all the documents 1 owner etc you have a jewel there keep us updated

CGSmith0524

Man, where I have I been lately..... I haven't updated this in a while; I apologize about that.

So, back in May I decided to install a few things:
- Monster Level 2 Clutch
- MGW Short Throw Shifter
- Tick Performance SPEEDbleeder
- Tick Performance Bronze Isolator Cup
- GM Rear-Main Seal
- Poly Transmission Mount.

I've attached a picture of all the upgraded parts that I installed. I HUGE Thank you to Steve @ Monster and to Tick Performance for your Military Discount!! I can't thank you enough.

Here is a link to my entire installation thread:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/manual-tr...le-review.html

The install wasn't that bad, honestly. The hardest part was the dreaded pilot bushing. As of now, I have over 1,000 miles on the clutch, mainly because I did part of the Hot Rod Power Tour; and I couldn't be any happier. I LOVE how the car shifts and grabs. It truly is amazing.

Then just today, MarylandSpeed hooked me up with a great deal on a set of Kooks 1 7/8 Long Tube Headers and the Cat'd High Flow Y-Pipe. It'll take a few weeks to come in, but I'll be sure to take pictures of that install as well.

In the meantime, I'm thinking of painting the "Ram-Air" portion of my hood Silver, and then painting the Rear Tail Panel the same color. I'll be doing the prepping, sanding, and painting myself- which helps with the cost.

I realize I'm opening myself up, but what are ya'lls thoughts on that?! Personally, I've never liked the vinyl decal kits, as I can't stand the fact that you can feel them. However, you can always remove them. I've just always like the look of how GMMG would paint their hoods....

and have a Happy 4th of July!!

Gmfreak04

I decided to keep my car looking stock but upgrading all the guts. So far have upgraded to a bigger motor built for a procharger, upgraded the clutch, upgraded the brakes, and installed mickeys. Rear end and suspension is next before the procharger.