Camaro SS Gets Carbon Fiber Treatment
Slideshow: Anderson Composites and CCW Wheels team up to turn out this Chevrolet Camaro SS that's more than just good looks.
Future Classic
Every time a beloved badge gets an update, particularly a facelift, it's cause for excitement but inevitably also by sadness for the outgoing model. In the case of the incomparable Camaro nameplate, many welcomed the front and rear fascia facelifts for 2019, while others wished the outgoing model had stuck around a few more years. Anderson Composites and CCW Wheels put together a heavily carboned Camaro SS to showcase their products that we suspect would be right at home in any Camaro-lover's garage, no matter what side of the fence they are on. This Hyper Blue Camaro SS also received updates on other fronts to make the most of their sponsors’ wares.
Carbon Weave
The first thing about the SS that catches one’s eye is the carbon-exposed black hood and front fenders. Like every part of the complete Anderson Composites carbon fiber aero kit, they are finished in unpainted carbon fiber. While visible carbon can often come off as too showy or out of place, on the Camaro the pieces add just the right amount of toughness and dress the car up as well or better than any graphics package could.
Aero Kit
Joining the hood and the fenders in the aero kit are the more aerodynamically functional pieces—a chin spoiler, rocker panels, rear spoiler with a wicker, and rear valence, all in unpainted carbon. The CCW website states that the car also sports Anderson’s rear fenders, though if it does then the pieces are body color. The fit and alignment of the aftermarket panels are superb. Of course, carbon parts do more than add downforce and look great, they shed a good deal of weight over the stock body panels.
Wheels
What goes great with carbon-black body parts? In the case of the 2018 SS, it’s a set of Concave CVM10 wheels from CCW. The Gunmetal Matte finished wheels, in 9×10 inches front and 19×12 rear, look both familiar and original at the same time, or in the words of CCW, “While these wheels are mostly designed for European and Japanese high-performance machines, they look right at home on an American muscle car like the Camaro SS.”
Tires
Nothing ruins a wheel package quicker than a poorly-matched set of tires. In the Camaro’s case the high-performance Continental ExtremeDW tires, in 275/30/19 front and 305/30/19 rear, complement the wheels’ capabilities while avoiding the dreaded rubber band/zero sidewall effect.
Suspension
After upgrading the car’s wheels and tires the logical next step was to bring the suspension up a notch as well. The builders chose carefully matched Detroit Speed coilovers, JRI Shocks, and Eibach springs for the job. The modifications provide increased cornering speed and stability, while also allowing for a more aggressive stance that suits the car’s bolder appearance.
Brakes
Better wheels, tires, and suspension pieces all call for improved braking and Wilwood answered the call with their Big Brake system. At the front, the Camaro utilizes six-piston Wilwood Aerolite calipers over 15-inch rotors, with the back receiving four-piston Aerolites, also over 15-inch rotors.
Drivetrain and More
Of course, that just leaves the 6.2-liter V8 engine to get the once-over, which it does via an Injen intake, SLP Performance components, and an SCT Livewire tuner kit. More gains came from the addition of a Corsa exhaust system, and shifting swiftness was improved with a Hurst shift kit for the six-speed manual transmission. Keeping occupants in place and safe is the job of Sparco Pro 2000 seats and belts and RPM six-point roll bars. Performance figures aren’t quoted for the massaged motor, just that they provide “more power and torque” than the stock 455 horsepower and 455 lb-ft of torque. Since all the parts are bolt-on items, making your 2018 Camaro into a mean machine like this one is a snap, and you’ll definitely stand out, or lower, in a crowd.
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