300+lbs heavier, 80 HP less than the 13' GT500

[Wondering]

Originally Posted by ffrcobra_65

The OP is sitting back laughing at us.

Agreed....some here may need to seek medical attention to have the hook removed.

[Lonny Doyle]

Originally Posted by Ron66Vette&10SS

You are correct, Ford DOES claim the GT500 makes 650hp @ the 6,250rpm redline..........but it will be capable (from the factory) of reving to 7,000rpm for "short bursts". I forget which mag I saw it in, but when they had the '13 GT500 engine on a dyno, it made 650hhp @ 6,250rpm as advertised. However, when allowed to go past the 6,250rpm to 7,000rpm, it was making 670hp.

Peak H.P. and peak Torque are found by dyno testing and looking at the data to find what their highest readings are and at what RPM this occurred. During a dyno test as the engine accelerates through the test both H.P. and Torque eventually peak and then start to fall off as the rpm increases.
The 650 H.P. at 6,250 rpm is where the H.P. peaked.

Ford fans want the GT500 to be the best and Chevy fans want the ZL1 to be the best. There are certain performance related aspects of each car that will determine how they will perform in different situations.

There is absolutely no doubt that at the strip the GT500 will out perform the ZL1. With a straight axle, the torque of the drive shaft will tend to unload the right rear tire, but at the drag strip this problem will be masked by the better than average traction from rubber being laid down on the track.

On the street they will be more closely matched. From red light to red light the ZL1 will likely smoke the GT500 because of the independent rear suspension and the higher rear weight percentage. It will make better use of the tires.

But at some point the GT500 and its lighter weight and less down force will start moving to higher gears where traction is not as important and will pass the ZL1.

For day to day driving the GT500 with its straight axle and lower rear weight percentage will likely be a hand full to drive where the ZL1 will feel more hooked to the pavement, especially on wet pavement such as when it rains.

On a road course the ZL1 will dominate under any condition.

Admittedly I am biased toward GM but I feel the information I stated above was correct.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by The IOM Ninja

It's also over-revving to make it from 0-62 in first gear, I think it's great that the ZL1 comes fully loaded for the track but it kinda fails for the drag strip (from what most people were expecting), which lets be honest stock tires suck and most people are going to be using these cars for the drag strip. I would kill for a ZL1 but the fact that GM can't provide them to people for the 12' MY and the outrageous dealer markups has turned me off and I'm looking for a car this summer.

Fails?

Most people using for the drag strip?

My friend....The mold you have in mind for the ZL1 is NOT the same one the team used to build it. Of course it will fail in your eyes...however, while it excels at the drag strip, it needs to be accepted that that environment is not where it is most at home - the road course, or even the street is.

The Camaro and Mustang teams took VERY different approaches to their halo cars. I rarely compare the two any more, because of it.

I'm sorry to hear that you're finding dealer markups around you :(...many fortunate members have managed to get their cars for MSRP.