Woohoo !!! My Camaro arrived !!
Discussion
It's arrived yesterday at the German importer, they're busy doing the EU lighting conversion.
Should be seeing it for real the first time on Saturday, and then it's going into the paint shop to be transformed into a Bumblebee 2 replica
I'm just "slightly" excited :-D
(Pics will follow asap)
Should be seeing it for real the first time on Saturday, and then it's going into the paint shop to be transformed into a Bumblebee 2 replica
I'm just "slightly" excited :-D
(Pics will follow asap)
RIght...
First picture I got was on Friday afternoon at work. Importer mailed that the car had just arrived, and a few minutes later I had this picture:
Having order an SLP ZL585, it should look a bit different than this one, with a raised hood with heat extractor, and the concept style rear fascia (don't know if you call it like that in UK English, but that's how US refers to it lol).
So I called the dealer and he said "don't worry, we have the full bodykit since last week here, everyting was sent separately since it needs repainting anyway". Relief !!
Saturday I went over and upon arrival the car was gone from the dealership... I was taken to the paint shop instead, as my car was already there. Not wasting any time for sure, now that it's here
Having had to rush from one thing to another, I forgot my camera, but I did get a few quick snaps with the iPhone. Sorry for the poor quality, but the lighting wasn't ideal, and the car was in a pretty difficult spot to take decent pics. But more will follow, as there will be a fully documented CD/DVD on the "Bumblebee" conversion (which is where I want to end up: as close as possible to the Transformers 2 Bee)
Backend:
The Brembo 6 pot callipers up front, with the 20x9" wheels (front), rear is 20x10":
And then finally, the most important bit:
Full details on the car:
Base car: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS
one extra option: factory installed "Hurst" short shifter
SLP ZL585:
585 supercharger conversion (rated at 592bhp)
Eibach coilover suspension
SLP's thicker anti-roll bars front and rear (and revised bushings)
wider wheels (9 & 10 instead of 8 & 9)
SLP "Loudmouth II" cat-back exhaust (@Swerni: it WILL sound like a proper muscle car, trust me)
The rear should look like this when finished:
(SLP's demo car)
Except for the SLP spoller, where the original SS spoiler will be fitted again (to keep with the "Bee" design).
Next "modifications" to be done:
- strip the car, repaint it in "Sunrise Gold", the actual movie car's colour
- install the Autobot/Transformers logo's on the arm rest, wheel center caps and door sills (a "nice touch" from the importer who said he could order these)
- install Camaro prototype mirrors
- set back the rear lighting to US spec (we are allowed red indicators, but to pass the TUV an orange led needed to be inserted in the outer lights). Takes the character of the car away, I think, which is why I want it back to "normal"
- repaint the wheels black
and finally when it's all done: wrap it fully in transparent protective film.
3 weeks and we should be there....
First picture I got was on Friday afternoon at work. Importer mailed that the car had just arrived, and a few minutes later I had this picture:
Having order an SLP ZL585, it should look a bit different than this one, with a raised hood with heat extractor, and the concept style rear fascia (don't know if you call it like that in UK English, but that's how US refers to it lol).
So I called the dealer and he said "don't worry, we have the full bodykit since last week here, everyting was sent separately since it needs repainting anyway". Relief !!
Saturday I went over and upon arrival the car was gone from the dealership... I was taken to the paint shop instead, as my car was already there. Not wasting any time for sure, now that it's here
Having had to rush from one thing to another, I forgot my camera, but I did get a few quick snaps with the iPhone. Sorry for the poor quality, but the lighting wasn't ideal, and the car was in a pretty difficult spot to take decent pics. But more will follow, as there will be a fully documented CD/DVD on the "Bumblebee" conversion (which is where I want to end up: as close as possible to the Transformers 2 Bee)
Backend:
The Brembo 6 pot callipers up front, with the 20x9" wheels (front), rear is 20x10":
And then finally, the most important bit:
Full details on the car:
Base car: 2011 Camaro 2SS/RS
one extra option: factory installed "Hurst" short shifter
SLP ZL585:
585 supercharger conversion (rated at 592bhp)
Eibach coilover suspension
SLP's thicker anti-roll bars front and rear (and revised bushings)
wider wheels (9 & 10 instead of 8 & 9)
SLP "Loudmouth II" cat-back exhaust (@Swerni: it WILL sound like a proper muscle car, trust me)
The rear should look like this when finished:
(SLP's demo car)Except for the SLP spoller, where the original SS spoiler will be fitted again (to keep with the "Bee" design).
Next "modifications" to be done:
- strip the car, repaint it in "Sunrise Gold", the actual movie car's colour
- install the Autobot/Transformers logo's on the arm rest, wheel center caps and door sills (a "nice touch" from the importer who said he could order these)
- install Camaro prototype mirrors
- set back the rear lighting to US spec (we are allowed red indicators, but to pass the TUV an orange led needed to be inserted in the outer lights). Takes the character of the car away, I think, which is why I want it back to "normal"
- repaint the wheels black
and finally when it's all done: wrap it fully in transparent protective film.
3 weeks and we should be there....
Edited by PascalBuyens on Sunday 10th July 09:55
Edited by PascalBuyens on Sunday 10th July 09:57
PaulFontaine said:
Ugh Nice car but can I ask why you are doing the whole transformers thing to it? I understand you want it to be unique but I think every 16 year old in the US will be doing that. I think it looks great in black already menacing looking. I don't know but its your to do with it as you wish. were it mine I'd get rid of the wheels tint it and wrap it in a matte satin black so that it would look stealth but if I still wanted to maintain its value as a possible colectible I have the original paint
It was rumoured at the time of the movie that the car used in the movie was the prototype of the Z28. Chevrolet recently introduced the ZL-1, and although it's a nice car, there are some things to it that I don't like (the 4 hole heat extractor in the "hood" (bonnet), the 4 tail pipes (too BMW alike), and the interior changes).Anyway, Transformers is indeed my "big example" for this car, as I really liked the colour (guess having owned a Norfolk Mustard Elise, I'm a bit biased to yellow), and I think personally that this is the best colour out there for the Camaro.
As for "every 16 year old" willing to do it: so far I'm aware of 2 US guys (older than me!!!) who actually went for the Sunrise Gold, and one German lady owner. All three of them went for the standard SS... I just like the way the car looks with the Transformers 2 look, and that's how I wanted it. Even if it hadn't been in a movie, if this had been the prototype Camaro, I'd have wanted it that way...
Edit: BTW... if you look at my profile, you'll see I also own the "Swordfish" Tuscan. My goal is to have a "movie car" collection in time (next on the "to have" list is a 1969 Dodge Charger... yes, in "General Lee" colours)
Edited by PascalBuyens on Tuesday 26th July 09:58
(OK, I'm starting the Camaro vs Mustang wars here)Mine came with the factory exhaust, I heard it running, and it does indeed sound very silent for a V8... Luckily I have SLP's exhaust with the ZL conversion, so it should make a decent sound.
Changing the exhaust does give them some power increase, I know from talking to SLP's sales manager that they actually rated the car at 592hp with the standard exhaust, an independent company measured it at over 600 with the "Loudmouth" exhaust...
Changing the exhaust does give them some power increase, I know from talking to SLP's sales manager that they actually rated the car at 592hp with the standard exhaust, an independent company measured it at over 600 with the "Loudmouth" exhaust...
PaulFontaine said:
The car was designed for all day and long drive usability and if you were to drive it for several thousand miles the unnecessary drone that's made when when cruising quickly grates on the nerves. Consider the origins of the car in the US or Australia the land is vast ( the UK can fit in the mass of our larger states or one of Australia's provinces easily) and the continual droning while not on throttle irksome and just adds to driver fatigue. SLP exhaust system will make a marginal HP gain unless the corresponding components are modified as well but for someone who is more concerned with show than go its perfect for that type of car.
I'm sorry, but why do you think I am doing this for the "show"??? Every single thing on the car has been adapted to cope with the supercharged engine, the brakes, the suspension, the wider wheels, the bigger anti-roll bars, yes, even the exhaust, as I believe the standard one is the restricting factor on the Camaro's setup.As for setting it in the "16 year old" colours as you mentioned before... Sorry, but I think it is the BEST colour for the Camaro, I wouldn't want it any different, just like I wouldn't want my modified, supercharged TVR Tuscan any other colour than Chameleon Blue...
And yes, I track ALL of my cars, even the Range Sport has been round the 'Ring several times in less than 11 minutes, fully loaded, 4 people in it, and that's a 2,7 diesel
Edited by PascalBuyens on Thursday 28th July 20:57
Paul,
true yellow is a bright colour... My daily drivers were and are all black, so my fun cars need to stand out. If you think the yellow is "in your face", well... Watch the movie Swordfish, that's my other car (the actual movie car). Changes colour even more than the Sunrise Gold
As for the louder exhaust: yes, it does help on the performance part, as it let's the engine rev more freely. And from
experience, a fast silent car can be dangerous. When I bought my Lotus, it was limited to 72db. Low (107cm), and yellow but scared a few people when
coming out of "nowhere". A louder exhaust helped in "making me noticed", and it gave me a few extra hp (7) on the 1.8 Rover engine.
With the Camaro the LM gives a bit more than 7hp with all the cubic inches.
Anyway, I can see you don't know much about me and how I like my toys
I'm a track addict and as much as I want my cars to look decent and exactly how I want it, the go is the most important part. Hence why I went with SLP. And yes, the body kit from them IS functional. ACS, who does the front, they made some functional changes too. If you look at the movie car you'll see no openings on the spoiler to cool the rad / create that bit more downforce... So again, function over form to me. The hood has functional heat extractors. Trust me, I know a bit about supercharging from the Tuscan, and that's necessary too. As are the bigger Brembos, the tyres and suspension for the handling.
Still, I did and do find it a funny comment that every 16-20yr old would do this... I think most 16-20 would dream of it, there I agree. Whether they have the money to do so... I read enough on American forums how they struggle to buy AND maintain the car (because they forget that 2nd part can be more substantial than buying it). Not many would spend that much to repainted the car...
But hey, each to their own, I like my toy cars fast, loud and in your face... The ones that need to be normal, I can drive every day
Have a nice sunny day at the other side of the "big blue one"
true yellow is a bright colour... My daily drivers were and are all black, so my fun cars need to stand out. If you think the yellow is "in your face", well... Watch the movie Swordfish, that's my other car (the actual movie car). Changes colour even more than the Sunrise Gold
As for the louder exhaust: yes, it does help on the performance part, as it let's the engine rev more freely. And from
experience, a fast silent car can be dangerous. When I bought my Lotus, it was limited to 72db. Low (107cm), and yellow but scared a few people when
coming out of "nowhere". A louder exhaust helped in "making me noticed", and it gave me a few extra hp (7) on the 1.8 Rover engine.
With the Camaro the LM gives a bit more than 7hp with all the cubic inches.
Anyway, I can see you don't know much about me and how I like my toys
I'm a track addict and as much as I want my cars to look decent and exactly how I want it, the go is the most important part. Hence why I went with SLP. And yes, the body kit from them IS functional. ACS, who does the front, they made some functional changes too. If you look at the movie car you'll see no openings on the spoiler to cool the rad / create that bit more downforce... So again, function over form to me. The hood has functional heat extractors. Trust me, I know a bit about supercharging from the Tuscan, and that's necessary too. As are the bigger Brembos, the tyres and suspension for the handling.
Still, I did and do find it a funny comment that every 16-20yr old would do this... I think most 16-20 would dream of it, there I agree. Whether they have the money to do so... I read enough on American forums how they struggle to buy AND maintain the car (because they forget that 2nd part can be more substantial than buying it). Not many would spend that much to repainted the car...
But hey, each to their own, I like my toy cars fast, loud and in your face... The ones that need to be normal, I can drive every day
Have a nice sunny day at the other side of the "big blue one"
Close, but... No 
Stripe tips are being repainted, they're not rounded enough and were too far forward. (no stencil available for the Bee stripes with the custom hood)
Tonight's attempt:
Outer edge "curves" should be on the inner part of the Rally stripe, and then they should have it really close to the real Bee, I think.... (Maybe they might have to have the pin stripe a bit back further, where the big stripe stops now, I reckon)
Boot lid needs a bit of correction too... the stripes are crooked (I think the perspective on the example pictures has misled the paint guy).
Stripe tips are being repainted, they're not rounded enough and were too far forward. (no stencil available for the Bee stripes with the custom hood)
Tonight's attempt:
Outer edge "curves" should be on the inner part of the Rally stripe, and then they should have it really close to the real Bee, I think.... (Maybe they might have to have the pin stripe a bit back further, where the big stripe stops now, I reckon)
Boot lid needs a bit of correction too... the stripes are crooked (I think the perspective on the example pictures has misled the paint guy).
Edited by PascalBuyens on Tuesday 2nd August 19:57
swerni said:
you're not wrong on those front stripes.
Just looking at mine and they extend to just before then of the hood and the perspective looks right on them.
How far forward do you intend yours to go?
If you look at the left side (2nd pic), the part that's been repainted: the pin stripe should be where the big inner stripe is, the big stripe one "step" more backwards (as in what they have done with the "new" one compared to the first one).Just looking at mine and they extend to just before then of the hood and the perspective looks right on them.
How far forward do you intend yours to go?
I know I may sound pedantic about it, but with the money I pay for the paint job alone, I want it spot on... not just something that "looks like it from a distance".
Today, 6 August:
- Stripe tips on the bonnet being remasked (in progress at time of pics)
- Boot lid being remasked to create the parallel stripes
Bowtie hasn't been done like I asked, but I'm thinking of ordering one from the US, the way I want it.
Wheels were in progress of being repainted. Silver was done (just like the door handle, black parts were missing (no pictures as there was only one wheel on a stand somewhere)
Should be finished in two weeks time, so I can pick it up after the holidays.
- Stripe tips on the bonnet being remasked (in progress at time of pics)
- Boot lid being remasked to create the parallel stripes
Bowtie hasn't been done like I asked, but I'm thinking of ordering one from the US, the way I want it.
Wheels were in progress of being repainted. Silver was done (just like the door handle, black parts were missing (no pictures as there was only one wheel on a stand somewhere)
Should be finished in two weeks time, so I can pick it up after the holidays.
Edited by PascalBuyens on Saturday 6th August 12:15
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