Camaro ZL1 to get >550hp, Auto Option, ZR1 Traction Management, Production Q1 2012

[1981DFA]

ok well, just for sh%ts and grins im going to estimate 619hp at the crank. dont ask me why that's just my guess.

[jesserayjames]

Originally Posted by GreenMonster

Yes!!!!!!! I hope it gets the same hp as the manual- either way this a great news

X2, I'm with you, I'm excited about the automatic..........................

[FreddyG]

Originally Posted by 1981DFA

ok well, just for sh%ts and grins im going to estimate 619hp at the crank. dont ask me why that's just my guess.

It sounds high to me, but I hope that you're right!

[1981DFA]

Does anyone know if they certified the lsa engine before they started putting it in the CTS-V?
Meaning did the certify the hp & tq numbers.

[toehead93]

Every new car has certified HP and torque numbers. The CTS-V is 556 HP/551 Ft-lbs. It will be certified again specifically for the ZL1, each car needs to have the engine certified. GM may/can add more power to the LSA for the ZL1.

[91Z28350]

No, actually they don't. SAE (HP) certification is different than EPA (Pollutants and MPG) certification. They must be EPA certified in the vehicle, SAE certification is not mandated.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by 1981DFA

Does anyone know if they certified the lsa engine before they started putting it in the CTS-V?
Meaning did the certify the hp & tq numbers.

GM uses the SAE certification on all their engines

Originally Posted by toehead93

Every new car has certified HP and torque numbers. The CTS-V is 556 HP/551 Ft-lbs. It will be certified again specifically for the ZL1, each car needs to have the engine certified. GM may/can add more power to the LSA for the ZL1.

GM is adding more power to the LSA in the ZL1. But just because they do that doesn't mean they have to recertify the engine. Look at the V6 Camaro. Initially, it borrowed the 304 rating from the CTS then they certified it a year later in the Camaro at 312. They didn't change anything from 2010 to 2011, but the Camaro setup breathed a little better than it did in the CTS so it always made more power.

That said, since GM has said that the ZL1 will make more power than the CTS-V, we know that they'll re-certify for the Camaro.

[toehead93]

Yes, I forgot SAE testing was voluntary.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

GM uses the SAE certification on all their engines


GM is adding more power to the LSA in the ZL1. But just because they do that doesn't mean they have to recertify the engine. Look at the V6 Camaro. Initially, it borrowed the 304 rating from the CTS then they certified it a year later in the Camaro at 312. They didn't change anything from 2010 to 2011, but the Camaro setup breathed a little better than it did in the CTS so it always made more power.

That said, since GM has said that the ZL1 will make more power than the CTS-V, we know that they'll re-certify for the Camaro.

Plus...figure they'll want the highest-possible advertised power levels for the ZL1...and they don't advertise uncertified numbers.

[1981DFA]

You think they are going to sacrifice some of the longevity of the LSA do get more power out of it, or do you think we could expect the same 270+ hrs of WOT before failure?

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by 1981DFA

You think they are going to sacrifice some of the longevity of the LSA do get more power out of it, or do you think we could expect the same 270+ hrs of WOT before failure?

I expect most of the tweaks for more power will be by way of free-er breathing...if they fiddle with anything internal it becomes a question of "does this require a new engine designation"? I mean...look at the L99...it's an LS3 with AFM, but it's considered a completely different engine because of it.

Anyways...I went around the world to make this point: If my assumptions are correct, and all they're doing is letting the engine breath more efficiently, then that's releasing some stress on the engine. "Freeing up horsepower", not forcing more out of it. I'd assume then, that yes - longevity is still very much there.

Though...if it varies by an hour or two, I won't buy it. Neah!!

[1981DFA]

dont forget it's supercharged. they "could" turn the boost up a bit and let it breath better to get whatever that want out of it. Which is why i initally asked about the longivity being shortened.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by 1981DFA

dont forget it's supercharged. they "could" turn the boost up a bit and let it breath better to get whatever that want out of it. Which is why i initally asked about the longivity being shortened.

They could...but I imagine that would start to fall under that new engine problem I raised. LSA has a designed boost level that, together with the rest of the engine meets or exceeds internal testing and validation to be covered under the 100,000 mile warranty. If you change that (boost being a big part of "that")...you've essentially changed the whole engine, because now you'd need a new fuel calibration, timing, etc...

They've said we don't know the majority of the details surrounding the ZL1, yet...it'll be VERY interesting to see what they've managed to pull together and how they got there.

[1981DFA]

How much more could there possibly be? We already know about the auto trans, PTM, New Gen MRC, areodynamic changes, lighter wheels, i mean how much more could there really be? If we still dont know much about the car i really cant wait for this things details to be released!