Camaro and Firebird: Regretful Modifications

This article applies to the Camaro and Firebird (1990-2015).

Upgrading your Camaro or Firebird with aftermarket parts can do a lot of good to your car, but sometimes, there are modifications that people end up regretting. Whether the modification didn't add to your car, or if it made it worse, they are both considered bad mods. In this guide, we searched the forums for enthusiasts that regret their modifications, so read on to learn all about the modifications you should stay away from.

Big Wheels

Even though some people may like the look of big wheels, all can agree that the bigger the wheels, the more money it will cost you. Forum enthusiasts have agreed that the 18" wheels will end up costing you a lot more money then the 17", for example. If you're not careful with tire sizing, bigger wheels are more likely to cause rubbing. So unless you own a tire shop, you will be spending a lot of money on tires. Comfort is an often overlooked impact here as well. When you go to larger diameter wheels, you end up with less tire sidewall. You drive will feel a bit different, especially on the freeway, as you will feel much more of the road than if you had smaller wheels. If you're thinking about going with 18+" wheels, think about investing that money in a different upgrade, this one will simply hurt your back and wallet.

SLP Loudmouth Exhaust

This product is an exhaust that is designed to free up the gasses, which increases your performance. LS1 owners have been buying this product because of its aggressive sound. However, once you drive with it on for a few days, ear plugs will start sounding like a good idea. In-cabin drone at cruising speeds gets tedious, and will wear you out over long journeys. Forum users have indicated that internal design of the mufflers in the exhaust are of poor quality, and are prone to blowing out. Other users claim the two exhaust tips came as different sizes, which ruined the looks of it. If you like a loud car, you should still think about another product, as this one was described as "ridiculous."

Going Too Low

GM set up the fourth-gen F-body Camaros and Firebirds, as well as the C5 Corvettes, with a lot of wheel gap out of the box. This can look unsightly, especially if you have recently upgraded to different wheels. But before slamming your ride into the weeds, think twice. Lowering springs on stock shocks is a recipe for a bouncy and uncomfortable ride. Even with well-matched dampers, there is still inherent compromise in being low. Your shocks can only mask those stiff, low springs so much. If you insist on lowering your car, consider sticking with a more modest 1" drop or so to preserve some semblance of good ride quality.

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