So, I just signed the papers for an 06 SS/SC (as listed in sig) with a GM Stage 2.

I would love any suggestions, comments, feedback or fill-in's on the list of planned mods below, and any guesses on whp I might get. Question marks are where I have not been able to get enough information yet.

Tires - Nokian 225/40ZR18XL
Rims - 18" x 8" Klasse Modena/Veloche
Brake pads - Semi-Metallic F/R (Red Stuff)
Rotors - Slotted F/R
Braided steel brake lines - ?
Shocks - ? Should these be upgraded on this vehicle?
Struts - ? Should these be upgraded on this vehicle?
Strut bars - ?
Stabilizer bars - Eibach ANTI-ROLL-KIT
Torque dampener - Ingalls ETD
Cold air intake - K&N Typhoon Cold Air Intake Blue
Exhaust system - GM Cat-Back Performance
Hood protector - Molded hood protector or 3M Film type
Spash guard - Front/Rear molded splash guards
Spark Plugs - ?
Xenon HALO HID Lights - Street Legal 3K (Fog) 6K or 8K (Main)

- Solo

 

Best suggestion: READ the threads on the forums.


Mods are based on what YOU want/don't want. Information on everything you want or need is most likely listed somewhere or talked about sometime in a previous thread

 

torque forward supposedly has a really good strut bar. when i get my paycheck im going with torque forward

 

I did read the threads AND I used the search feature. That is how I found the base list of parts that I started with.

Just a search and read does not tell you things like the ETD from Ingalls is only a single and you can fit a second one on the lower rear unless you are lucky. Plus asking experienced people, who have them, often opens up an entirely new line of information, such as going to larger rotors/calipers rather than slotted or drilled stock ones.

As well, I am not a mechanic, nor a designer or engineer, and my experience with high performance cars is limited to driving them. So there is another reason to ask for feedback and suggestions as this will be the first one I built on my own.

- Solo

 

Well if you don't plan on changing the rotors for a while, I would suggest buying softer pads now. The factory pads tear up the rotors.

Also if you are going with an 18"x8" wheel, I would suggest jumping up to 235/40 tires. There is less a 1% difference on the speedo as apposed to the 3-4% difference from the 225/40. Plus there is the extra rubber to the ground.

I would also recomend another Cat-back that is 2.5" instead of the GMPP's 2.25" if you intended to go for performance since the stock exhaust is 2.5" and then reduces to 2.25" at the muffler.

 

Again, it comes down to what your ultimate intentions for the car are....

 

I want to end up with a car that will go an honest 130+ MPH as safely as possible ... if that is not an oxymoron.

- Solo

 

You've got that stock...and more with the stage kit. You really don't need anything else.

 

You can do that stock. Well maybe different brakes.

 

I may have been mistaken then, I thought top end on these cars was only 140? (Drag Limited??)

- Solo

 

I've got a redline and I"ve had mine over 140. There's big debate as to what the limit is and our speedos don't cover it. I wonder if anyone who has the interceptor gauge would like to chime in here?

As for mods, your biggest enemy out of the gate is going to be your motor mounts. They're oil filled and soft as crap (don't believe me? Pull one out and see how much you can jiggle it.) I would recommend torque braces and/or urethane motor mounts from whoever fits your fancy. If you'd like to see what I've got to offer you can check out www.torqueforward.com.

2nd mod I would definitely recommend is a header from a guy named Jason Smith. He's an individual that sells them on the redline forums for like 200 bucks. I've heard nothing but good things about his and once you see how restricted yours is you'll understand why it's a good power mod.

After that people say to go exhaust. This can actually be done pretty cheaply in these cars. The system is a 2.5 system except for right over the rear suspension setup where it dips to 2.25. You can just cut out this piece and have a shop bend one in 2.5 for you and throw on a different muffler and you'd be good to go (I'm assuming exhaust is the same as the redlines save for one hanger(ar).) Not as cool as listing magnaflow or whatever in your sig, but still an effective route nonetheless.

OH and DEFINITELY open up the airbox whether you do the welfare ram air or go with a CAI. It's not so much for the horsepower (cuz there really isn't a ton to be gained there) it's moreso for the beautiful supercharger sound.

If you have any more questions, feel free to send me a message. Welcome to the forums!

Ben