MotorTrend Magazine 5th-Gen Camaro Bolt-On Mods – Mods For the Masses

When the 5th-generation Camaro finally hit dealer lots in 2009, it was clear that GM had designed a winner. Its brawny lines turned heads on the street, and new buyers bought them in droves. GM also delivered the goods when it came to the powertrain. The stock 6.2 V-8 in the manually-equipped LS3 SS model pumps out an impressive 426 horsepower and 400 horsepower in the automatic transmission-backed L99 version. That bump in power from the fourth-gen days comes in handy since these new models are over five hundred pounds heavier. Despite the Camaro putting on some weight, many owners have been able to click off low-13-second runs in the quarter bone stock with both combos.

Earlier this year we picked up a 2010 Camaro SS/RS packing the L99 engine and 6L80E automatic transmission combo. We looked for one with the slushbox because of all the time we spend in bumper-to-bumper Chicago traffic. New to us, but already sporting 6,800 miles, we just had to take advantage of the late spring weather this past April and made a bunch of bone stock passes at Great Lakes Dragaway. So just a week after purchase and armed with solicited (and unsolicited) advice on how to run strong times with this car, it took only 7 passes for us to click off an impressive 13.15 at 106.77mph, cutting a 1.95 on the stock Pirelli tires. Subsequent track outings netted similar times, but none better than that 13.15. And predictably the car slowed down as we headed into summer. Low 13’s were easy when it was 65F, but mid 13’s have become the norm now that’s it’s routinely in the 90’s. And once it got warm, our invincibility turned into apprehension when a C6 or other quick ride rolled up on us. More power was needed.