A Guide to Performance Upgrades for the 5th Gen Camaro

The Chevrolet Camaro is a staple of American Muscle and is one of the most recognizable high-performance pony cars worldwide. The fifth generation of this iconic vehicle was produced from 2010 to 2015. With production for the 4th generation Camaro dwindling in 2002, the 5th iteration incorporated a radical departure from the body style of the previous iteration.

The popularity and affordability of the new Camaro spawned many later variations and souped up models including the LS, LT, SS, Z/28, and ZL1. The 5th generation Camaro even made a splash in popular culture by appearing in the 2007 movie Transformers. Because of its widespread appeal, the 5th gen Camaro has remained a popular car for aftermarket upgrades.

CT Performance Specializes in all things GM. No matter what model Camaro you’re driving, the crew at CT has the knowledge and experience to help you implement any aftermarket additions on your Camaro. To help you decide which upgrades are right for your vehicle, here is a breakdown of the design specs for some of the most popular variations of the 5th generation Camaro, as well as a few common upgrades to consider.

Design Specs for the 5th Gen Camaro

Base Model Camaro. Even though the base-model Camaro is a V6, it’s still able to achieve a 0 to 60 mph pace in 5.9 seconds—not bad for a base model. The 3.6L engine can produce 304 horsepower at 6400 rpm, which—according to MotorTrend—is more than the 4.6L Mustang GT.

Camaro SS. The Camaro SS is the base model for V8 iterations of the 5th generation Camaro. The automatic SS features an L99 engine that puts out 400 horsepower and 410 pounds of torque. GM dropped the Corvette LS3 engine under the hood for the manual SS, which produces 426 horsepower.

Camaro Z/28. The Z/28 features a 7.0L LS7 V8 engine—the same engine used in the Z06 Corvette—that produces 505 horsepower. The Z/28 was also one of the first production cars to include standard spool-valve dampers.

Camaro ZL1. The ZL1 is a high-performance iteration of the Camaro SS. Many ZL1 parts are exclusive and not incorporated on any other variation of the 5th generation Camaro. The ZL1 features a supercharged 6.2L LSA engine that puts out 580 horsepower at 6000 rpm. The ZL1 is available with a 6-speed manual or 6L90 automatic transmission.

Performance Upgrades for the 5th Gen Camaro

Bolt On. For vehicles like the Camaro, the first line of upgrades to consider would be bolt-on upgrades. If you’ve never done any performance upgrades on your car, bolt-on modifications such as a cold-air intake, headers, x pipes, and mufflers can add power and performance to your vehicles.

Depending on the result you’re looking to achieve for your Camaro, you could do one or all these modifications. For the best results, you should consider what your goals are for your build and consult a CT Performance expert who can help you make your build a reality.

Tuning. In addition to bolt-on upgrades, you should consider getting a tune for your Camaro. A tune involves accessing a car’s computer in order to optimize it for performance. In addition to optimization, CT will perform a dynamometer test that shows you exactly how a tuning improved your car’s horsepower and output.

For general modifications like bolt-on upgrades, it’s recommended that you get a tune so you can see what impact your upgrades had. Besides a computerized optimization, a tuning also entails street driving the car to ensure that it is functioning properly.

Heads and Cam Install. If you’re looking to take your Camaro to the next level of performance, then you should consider retooling the heads of your vehicles. By porting and polishing your vehicle’s heads, you can optimize the air intake of your motor and push your car to its maximum performance capability.

A cam controls the valves on the head, so modifying the cams should be considered whenever upgrading the heads of your car. When you opt for a heads and cam job at CT Performance, part of what you’ll get is a customized cam to fit your vehicle’s performance goals.

The Height of Possibility

No matter what variation of the V8 engine is situated under the hood of your Camaro, the crew at CT can help you take your car to the next level. Whether you’re looking to add a little bit of punch to your ride or you want to make an absolute speed demon that will tear up the road, CT Performance can help you make your dream build a reality. No matter what modifications you’re looking to make, you’ll get a customized tuning with any upgrades you decide to implement.

Schedule your Build Today

The crew at CT Performance has the knowledge and experience to bring your build to life. Whether you’re looking to construct a car that can perform at the highest levels, or you want to implement a few upgrades, the team at CT can help you achieve your ambitions. For more information or to schedule a build, contact our offices today.