2002 Camaro Z28 M6 - NJFBOA - Home of New Jersey's Camaros and Firebirds

qwikz28 · 04-08-2012, 10:21 PM

For all curious, here is the story of my car:

I took delivery on this car in August 23, 2002 and have been the proud owner since. The car was then my daily driver and I put 2600 miles on the car in the first month alone. Here she is in stock form:

Soon after, the mod bug hit. Not the performance mod, but rather the bling and loud stereo bug. My car soon had a full stereo and 19x9.5" HP wheels and a magnaflow exhaust; among other little odds and ends:

I then exchanged the big dopey drug dealer wheels for a nice set of TT2s, in classic 4th gen fashion. I hated those wheels more than anything. Anyway, the car at this point had a lid, catback, and maf and made 330/350 at the wheels at one of our dyno days back in 2005, I believe:

Around 2006, I became bored with the car and wanted a change. At first I looked at a then recently discontinued GTO, but the dealer was still convinced that it was going to skyrocket in price shortly and wouldn't budge. LS1Tech then convinced me that I needed a race car, so I ordered a heads/cam package, headers, full suspension, a 12 bolt, and new OZ Supperleggeras wrapped in Falken Azenis tires. Unfortunately I hurt my shoulder and couldn't install it until the following summer. I downloaded an LS1howto instruction sheet and with the help of my friend Goofy, we set to work. To this day, that was one of my most memorable summers and I still am incredibly tight with Goofy:

The finished product:

Alex (Ar0ck) flexed his camera skills with my car and two very friendly females:

That motor made 406/382 but lasted about 1000 miles. The heads, from Texas Speed, were overported and the deck collapsed and the motor was toast. This entire ordeal happened the day before I was set to take the LSAT in June, 2008. I towed the car to TTP, and am still paying for that mistake to this day. Regardless, they rebuilt the motor with my old stock heads and their Equalizer 3 cam. That motor is still in the car now and made 400/371. Last year, I took the car to NJMP in south jersey for my first HPDE. It was a blast, but it exposed a few weaknesses in the car that need to be ironed out:

Last year, I got a killer deal on some Fikse FM5s from a member on this site. I then got a great hook up from a friend of a friend out in Connecticut who polished the lips and repaired and curb damaged, and replaced a wheel face that had peeling clear coat with a wheel face I found on ebay with the help of a member on LS1tech. I wrapped the wheels in Nitto NT05s and the car just looks absolutely mean now:

This August will be 10 years I've had the car and I've been pondering doing something commemorative for the car's anniversary. One idea I've had was taking some professional shots and writing up an article to submit to GM High Performance telling the story of the car and myself. I wouldn't do that without a paint job to match the hood and fix the dents and cracks in the bodywork. Unfortunately, money is tight as I prep to sit for the bar exam in July, but I will see what I can do to set aside some money to give the car the attention it needs. Thanks for looking.

qwikz28 · 04-08-2012, 10:21 PM

Here is a list of the major mods in the car now (I'll edit the post with whatever I forget):

TTP engine rebuild with Equalizer v3 cam and supporting mods
AI 219 HCR heads (being done now, so not yet installed)
QTP headers
Custom Mufflex Y-pipe and catback utilizing an SLP muffler and Magnaflow tips
Ported LS6 intake, ported throttle body and a lid.
JS Performance clutch and trans rebuild.
Tick Master
MGW shifter
Moser 12 bolt
Koni Single Adjustables
Strano springs and sways
Various UMI suspension bits
GTO seats
Fikse FM5 wheels and Nitto NT05 tires

maroman88 · 04-09-2012, 01:31 AM

sweet story dude!

88WS-6 · 04-09-2012, 05:17 AM

I've always liked that car

sweetbmxrider · 04-09-2012, 08:38 AM

Definitely a great story! Love that last pic. Its just great use of the light.

greenformula92 · 04-09-2012, 08:54 AM

what a good story

LS1ow · 04-09-2012, 09:55 AM

love the car man, glad i got a chance to chat with you about it.

lmk when you wanna sell off them superleggaras

1320B4U · 04-09-2012, 11:13 AM

Best wheels are what you have on their now..not a fan of the oz's...too evo mr-ish. Dig the story..live and learn.

qwikz28 · 04-09-2012, 12:47 PM

Thanks guys. I learned everything I know about cars from reading on forums and turning wrenches on that car. A gift and curse, I suppose. I am yet to take the car to the track since I put in the cam, but with the lid, catback, and maf I ran 13.2 at 109 at atco my first time out back in October 2005 I think it was. I think with a set of drag radials and good air, I can get her into the 11s.

Anti_Rice_Guy · 04-09-2012, 01:40 PM

You left out the flat black vinyl wrap part

Car looks good as always!

ar0ck · 04-09-2012, 01:47 PM

Jake, you know that as soon as I return from this god awful country, we have a man date with my camera.

enRo · 04-09-2012, 02:13 PM

Veddy nice Jake!

S.J.SLEEPER · 04-09-2012, 02:47 PM

you left out the part about the broken rocker too...lol

shadowfire · 04-09-2012, 04:56 PM

the car looks sick!! and thats coming form some one who is picky.. great ride man

qwikz28 · 04-09-2012, 08:25 PM

Damn. You guys are right, I did miss some relevant history! I'll update it later. I gotta find some better pics of the Fikses too.

Come home Alex. We need to get you into a 4th gen again, too.

Thank you all for the love. It's nice to see that ol lady can still charm

Tru2Chevy · 04-10-2012, 12:00 PM

I had almost forgotten how much better you car looked with the FM5s.....

- Justin

1320B4U · 04-10-2012, 12:41 PM

I had fm-10's on the vette...great rims and to me, those 5's just fit your car.

coolmanvette75 · 04-10-2012, 09:39 PM

Looks great in person. Thanks for convincing me to buy an mgw shifter too. Lol

Ian · 04-11-2012, 07:19 AM

One of my favorite cars and one of my favorite members!

qwikz28 · 04-11-2012, 09:40 PM

Ian! You absolutely turned what was a crummy day around with that comment. Miss you much, brother. Come home safe

Ian · 04-12-2012, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by qwikz28

Ian! You absolutely turned what was a crummy day around with that comment. Miss you much, brother. Come home safe

From the other side of the world no less! I'll be home in a month or so.

evilz99 · 04-18-2012, 12:27 PM

I wish I had fikse wheels! great story!

WildBillyT · 04-18-2012, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by evilz99

I wish I had fikse wheels! great story!

We all wish we had fikse wheels.

Raist103 · 04-19-2012, 11:22 AM

i think you should sell me the fiskes back now that they are so pretty

qwikz28 · 04-19-2012, 06:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Raist103

i think you should sell me the fiskes back now that they are so pretty

NEVER!!!!

But seriously, thanks again for putting up with me. I remember the entire time down telling my friend: "this guy is going to punch me in the face when we get there."

Thanks for the love guys. I'll get some better pics soon of the car with the wheels.