Driveability with mods

[Horst]

Hi,

I drive a 2000 V6 Camaro convertible in Germany. Currently it is stock with 3.42 gears (yes - that´s how they come in Europe) and a 193 hp rating. I guess the reduced rating is due to an even more restrictive exhaust - and it´s too obvious and ilegal to change that.

Furthermore the car is electronically limited to 125 mph, which I tend to drive for longer distances as constant speed.

There are a few mods available - A programmer can remove the limiter and a RAM air mod can enhance the performance particulary at higher speeds.

The question is, whether all this mods are designed for the rather short quarter mile or whether the increased hp can be regarded as a constant rating.

From my experience with a 1995 Corvette LT1 I know that the cooling systems might not be designed for such an use. When driving my Corvette WOT for 10 miles or so (which is less than 4 Minutes) the oiltemperatur and transfluidtemperatur went way up in unhealthy theritory.

So - if I did these mods - would I need additional oilcoolers, temp gauges and all the rest of it? Would the engine be able to handle that output?

[95Batmobile]

I don't think Ram Air and no speed limiter is going to increase your hp so much you have to worry about cooling problems..
Just for comparison..
I take long drives from home to school (225 miles). I went from 3.23 gears to 3.73s increasing my RPM by about 800-1000 on the highway and my car is fine [img]smile.gif[/img]

[malice10985]

THose simple mods won't require any sort of oil/water cooling. The ram air intake will only boost hp by 5-10.

It you use the car for long distance cruising, the ram air will be good for it. Actually, so would an exhaust system, but you can't have one of those.

[wantmorepower]

With the speed limiter removed you would be capable of extended periods of high speed oepration. Parts failure could result without extra cooling for engine and transmission. Our cars are not prepped from the factory to run 120 plus for long periods of time.

[wantmorepower]

If you plan on running high speeds for extended periods of time you would be wise to add extra cooling. If you doubt this check out how police units are equipted.

[95Batmobile]

I don't really think cooling is an issues.
If you use good oil in your car it's not going to break down if you cruise 100+ for a short amount of time.
I have no oil cooler or extra stuff to cool my car and I've cruised 110mph for about 100 miles straight... car made it fine.
Police cars might have extra cooling because their cars sit for long periods of time without moving. When you're moving you've got so much fresh air circulating you don't have to worry much about temps.
Just make sure you put good oil in it and you'll be fine...

[Arctc Wolf]

I've noticed that my car gets warmer around 100-110 cruising. I can feel heat radiate from the floor areas.

[95Batmobile]

If your temp reads 100-110 that is not warm AT ALL... do you mean 200-210?

[andrew.brandon]

Originally posted by 95Batmobile:
If your temp reads 100-110 that is not warm AT ALL... do you mean 200-210?

I think he ment 100-110MPH.

[javifp]

Horst what are your plans?

Sustained high speeds if so, well if I was in your position There are a few points I would consider;

1. Temp. engine and trans as well as dif. 160 thermostadt, engine and transmision oil coolers and dif lsd additive.

2. I would get teh HPP3 and that would tighten up some of the issues as top speed limiter. I would also improve my intake with an CAI, Hi-flow LID and K&N filter. as for exhaust I am assuming since yo say you have the Y87 option that you have dual exhaust. I would consider A High-flow Catalic converter such as Carsound and headers (So you cant ugrade the mufler you say?)

3. I would seriously recomend a suspension upgrade, specially because of the high speed travels. 1LE components are a great choice at SLPONLINE.COM (STB,SFC,LCA,PHR,S-Bars,etc...)

Automayics do most of the climbing on third gear and they cruise on fourth for top speeds. I would of prefered 3.23 instead for the highway and for city driving 3.73 (but then thats just me and thats why you are in the happy middle 3.42). look into the other options such as cams for more power specially at the top end where you are going to need it and be able to use it. In the autobhan!
There are many ways to ugrade your ride, and the ugrades can either be for low end or top end that will depend on what you want.
GOOD LUCK!

[AlienInv8r]

If you can't swap out your exhaust, is a cut-out a viable option for you? You could ride with it open when you're cruising at high speeds, and if you needed stock back you could just have an electric cut-out to recap back to stock exhaust.

[Horst]

Thank you all for sharing your thoughts.

Unfortunately I do not have the dual exhaust, and I can´t have it. All ´98 and up Camaros with European spec have the V6 single tip exhaust, even the V8s!!! I´m not sure about the reasons, I guess it is a noise issue. And as I said - it is even more restrictive than the stock US exhaust.

European rating for the V6 is 193 hp, for the Z28 it is 288 hp. At the same time we need better gas: The V6 needs 91 octane instead of 87 in the US, the V8 needs 93.

Any mods here have to be in a way that the technical surveillance office (TUV) doesn´t find them during their regular check-up on all registered vehicles.

Computer programming is virtually undetectable, the only problem with Hypertech is, that untill now they could not verify wether their programmer will work with Euro-Camaros.

A revised airbox is a low risk, too, since Camaros are extremly rare in Germany and it is not likely that the surveillors can distinguish the looks of a stock airbox compared to an aftermarket one, particulary if that is camouflaged with stock stickers.

From a driving point of view I am quite satisfied with the performance of the car, except for the top speed. A family microbus such as the Renault Espace can go faster than that, and believe me, in Germany they do!

So when accelerating from, let´s say 60 mph upwards, on the Autobahn, I am in one of the faster cars. Once the speed limiter kicks in compact cars are starting to pass me.

BTW: A Mercedes CLK 230 with the same 193hp is tested to have the same acceleration, but the top speed is 145 mph. It might have a better aerodynamic but in any case a 193hp Camaro should be able to make close to 140 mph.

[ March 17, 2004, 06:03 AM: Message edited by: Horst ]

[javifp]

WOW!

How often do you guys get inpected?
Once a year like us here in the states?

Man I would make that guy a real close buddy of mine, get it. Anyway there are many ways to disquise mods, you know, make it a sleeper. as for the mods trust me if this car are imports to them, then you can get away with murder!
hey man I know what you are sayin I was stationed there for a few years thos guys are anal when it comes to safety and vehicles inspection.
and you are right those litle european cars have no take of but a lot of top end.
can you still get the high performance parts and switch it for inpection back to stock? Man, talk about some serious fustration!!!
Theres got to be a way around it, you my friend need to work the odds. I know I would!!
Any way, GOOD LUCK AND BE SAFE!

[Horst]

Thanks.

The odd think is - there are plenty of TUV approved performance part for domestic cars or Japanese imports, incl. exhausts, performance chips, and other goodies.

On the other hand, almost no legal parts are available for US imports - to make it worse, the US cars are additionally reduced in power, so that they look weak in comparison to the lokal brands, punished with a tax system that taxes the displacement of the engine and by insurance companies that take special higher rates for American cars.

Thus American cars in Europe are a hobby for enthusiasts.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

ugg im in italy i know what you mean


i was in the office to get my Fiat (lol) registered (maro safe in OHIO) this guy had his new Z06, and they ask you how many litros, i was like 1.4 [img]graemlins/rock.gif[/img]

I was waiting on my paper and he goes up to the counter, hes like 5.7 i kid you not every Italin in that place foze in time and the ones at the counter we'll there jaws hit the floor [img]graemlins/omg.gif[/img] we looked at each other and were like what

then we both started [img]graemlins/rofl.gif[/img]
for some reson they suddenly had to "inspect"

that why alot of articals from europe say yeah BMW beat a Viper, lol. ours cars a cut down there lol. but they know the poeple on the base with american sports cars they don't even try to mess with. and they was all droling over the YELLOW 2002 Z06 including me [img]smile.gif[/img] then he took one for a ride in it after she got off work, i would have to, she blond hair blue eyes, could speak english

umm i want someone with a viper to be like 8.3 lol they would like pass out or something