Short test drive 15 ZL1 auto

[cal45]

I currently have a 2SS 2014 auto with minor mods of a CAI, Hi Flo cats, cat back sys and just recently a mild custom tune. The small tweeks did make a difference on throttle response from the tune.

I am looking to trade this in on a new ZL1 or a Hellcat (not looking to start any heated debates as that thread is already active in the General Automotive section) and I finally was able to test drive a new ZL1 (just a short run about a mile or so).

Coming from a stop, rolling some then accelerating, I was expecting a little more "throw you back in your seat" feel than my SS and even though I felt a difference, I was expecting more as I have been told I would feel - now I know if I stayed on it, I would see a difference at the high end over the SS. Test drive was short and just on straight roadways as I'm sure the salesman didn't want me to take tight turns to test the handling. I did have a 03 Corvette that I had a Procharger and headers installed which Dyno'd 475 RWHP, and that felt more responsive to me than the 15 ZL1.

So my question to fellow members that have gone from a SS to a ZL1, did you experience the same or different when you were first able to test drive the ZL1?

[Blueclyde]

I have a manual transmission in my current ZL1. I have owned two 2SS's and two ZL1's. My last 2SS was a max build NA, heads, cam, headers, CAI, etc. putting down 482 rwhp. My first ZL1 was noticeably faster than the modified SS. The biggest factor was torque, not HP. The ZL1 makes torque everywhere which gets this heavy car moving faster. Not a huge difference in rwhp but the torque difference is huge. Now add a few very simple bolt ins to a ZL1 and there is no comparison on any level.

Also, there is more to a ZL1 than just seat of the pants feel of the power. The car is more refined on every level as compared to an SS and feels different to drive.

[jessrayo]

This has come up before but I'll answer you again. Part of the greatness of driving the ZL1 is how uneventful a brisk ride in the car feels. Because everything is so smooth and controlled you can run an 11 sec 1/4 mile and feel like you were driving to the grocery store, you can run double of any posted speed limit in the US and not feel any perception of pending doom at all because the car is phenomenally smooth and stable. Have a buddy try to follow your ZL1 and they will think you were driving like a maniac while your passengers will say you drive like an old lady..... the car is that good.

[cal45]

Originally Posted by jessrayo

This has come up before but I'll answer you again. Part of the greatness of driving the ZL1 is how uneventful a brisk ride in the car feels. Because everything is so smooth and controlled you can run an 11 sec 1/4 mile and feel like you were driving to the grocery store, you can run double of any posted speed limit in the US and not feel any perception of pending doom at all because the car is phenomenally smooth and stable. Have a buddy try to follow your ZL1 and they will think you were driving like a maniac while your passengers will say you drive like an old lady..... the car is that good.

That's a great analogy! I do admit that the short drive doesn't uncover all the attributes of the ZL1, but the 1st thing I was eager to feel was the throttle response and maybe I was expecting more than I should have. Agree with your statement about taking on an extended ride but that will only happen if I do pull the trigger on the ZL1.

[jessrayo]

When I first got mine I thought it needed a lot of work to be fast but when I actually drove it at timed events I was surprised how fast it was going while just feeling like a heavy pig to me. I still modded it a lot but the ZL1 was a fast track car right from the get go and it was so smooth I just couldn't believe it was that easy to go that fast.

[oldfriend]

Originally Posted by cal45

That's a great analogy! I do admit that the short drive doesn't uncover all the attributes of the ZL1, but the 1st thing I was eager to feel was the throttle response and maybe I was expecting more than I should have. Agree with your statement about taking on an extended ride but that will only happen if I do pull the trigger on the ZL1.

But by then it will be too late to go back
Ask a friend that owns one and go for a drive , then you will have a better felling if that's for you or not

[TX/ZL1]

Originally Posted by jessrayo

This has come up before but I'll answer you again. Part of the greatness of driving the ZL1 is how uneventful a brisk ride in the car feels. Because everything is so smooth and controlled you can run an 11 sec 1/4 mile and feel like you were driving to the grocery store, you can run double of any posted speed limit in the US and not feel any perception of pending doom at all because the car is phenomenally smooth and stable. Have a buddy try to follow your ZL1 and they will think you were driving like a maniac while your passengers will say you drive like an old lady..... the car is that good.

^^^^perfect

[cal45]

Originally Posted by oldfriend

But by then it will be too late to go back
Ask a friend that owns one and go for a drive , then you will have a better felling if that's for you or not

Wish I could do that but no one I know has one.

[lbls1]

The car can definitely turn on the power. It is smooth and precise, but don't be fooled by its persona; You have to be careful with it. There were times when I could just feel that the car wanted to leap right out, even just from sitting at a dead stop or with moderate driving. GM has modulated the car to a point, so that one can live with and drive a 500 whp car daily and reliably.

Edit: It also matters which mode of the ptm you are in. The car is more aggressive in feel when its in sport mode. Touring mode will make the car more relaxed.

[big dave]

I felt the way you do when I first drove my ZL1. I was very disappointed in how slow the car felt. My lt1 felt faster. 1 trip to the track changed that. See what my car ran in my sig in great conditions.

[cal45]

Originally Posted by big dave

I felt the way you do when I first drove my ZL1. I was very disappointed in how slow the car felt. My lt1 felt faster. 1 trip to the track changed that. See what my car ran in my sig in great conditions.

That is impressive to say the least...and the only mod is the RotoFab CAI? Yikes! Definitely feel better about the performance on a bone stock car (besides the cai).

That's the one mod I would do right away to the Z if I bought one (the RotFab)....but I would have to sneak that in as I promised my better half that I wouldn't add any mods to until the factory warranty has a chance to burn in.

[big dave]

Originally Posted by cal45

That is impressive to say the least...and the only mod is the RotoFab CAI? Yikes! Definitely feel better about the performance on a bone stock car (besides the cai).

That's the one mod I would do right away to the Z if I bought one (the RotFab)....but I would have to sneak that in as I promised my better half that I wouldn't add any mods to until the factory warranty has a chance to burn in.

Actually, the Rotofab was taken off. The car is stock.

[WSSICK]

Originally Posted by jessrayo

This has come up before but I'll answer you again. Part of the greatness of driving the ZL1 is how uneventful a brisk ride in the car feels. Because everything is so smooth and controlled you can run an 11 sec 1/4 mile and feel like you were driving to the grocery store, you can run double of any posted speed limit in the US and not feel any perception of pending doom at all because the car is phenomenally smooth and stable. Have a buddy try to follow your ZL1 and they will think you were driving like a maniac while your passengers will say you drive like an old lady..... the car is that good.

Exactly!

[Stephen12ZL1]

I too was underwhelmed at the factory 580hp with over 4000lbs weight. A dragstrip run in the first 1000 miles at 90 degrees proved it was ok with a 12.3@114. There was much room for improvement. 2 & 1/2 years later I still enjoy the car every time I drive it. A HPDE session at a road course is where this car shines in factory trim. The suspension and brakes are incredible in the ZL1. Even the factory Goodyears are quite good once they get some heat in them. I deem the ZL1 very well rounded and with a few hp mods it is quite an impressive machine at the dragstrip too. Even high 10s feels "slow" after the launch because the car is so stable. You won't be disappointed if you decide the ZL1 is the car for you.