Why did GM go with the LSA rather than the 427 if the original ZL-1's had it? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

FINALLYSATISFIED · 06-14-2013, 06:51 AM

Just curious if anyone knew? Just recently came across a thread that showed an original '69 ZL-1 with the 427 but in today's world the '14 Z/28 will be sporting it.

PYROLYSIS · 06-14-2013, 07:13 AM

Price. /thread

FINALLYSATISFIED · 06-14-2013, 07:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PYROLYSIS

Price. /thread

Easy enough, lol.

silverds · 06-14-2013, 07:35 AM

Wasn't the new ZL1, from the ground up, intended and designed to be the new Z/28? However, "purists" within GM rejected the car with a supercharged engine to inherit the Z/28 legacy.

Since the ZL1 (Originally the RPO code for the 427 engine) was the most powerful engine in a Camaro at the time, and the new Camaro with LSA would also hold that title, they decided to revive that moniker, reserving the Z/28 badge for a "special" purpose-built track car.

At least that's the story GM tells.

Chubby · 06-14-2013, 07:41 AM

I'd agree with that.

FINALLYSATISFIED · 06-14-2013, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by silverds

Wasn't the new ZL1, from the ground up, intended and designed to be the new Z/28? However, "purists" within GM rejected the car with a supercharged engine to inherit the Z/28 legacy.

Since the ZL1 (Originally the RPO code for the 427 engine) was the most powerful engine in a Camaro at the time, and the new Camaro with LSA would also hold that title, they decided to revive that moniker, reserving the Z/28 badge for a "special" purpose-built track car.

At least that's the story GM tells.

Makes sense but why didn't the so called "purists" stick with the ZL-1 having the 427? Oppose to making a LSA S/C engine?

Cost effective?

05stram · 06-14-2013, 08:01 AM

I am going to say if you look back you will see it was pure marketing genius to release the cars in the order and optioned the way they did.

2SSRS@Gen5diy · 06-14-2013, 08:02 AM

IMO it had to do with the fact that the corvette ZO6 had the LS7, and the plant can not make that many 427 for the 2 cars at the same time. IMO

DrkPhx · 06-14-2013, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FINALLYSATISFIED

Makes sense but why didn't the so called "purists" stick with the ZL-1 having the 427? Oppose to making a LSA S/C engine?

Cost effective?

Quote:

Originally Posted by 05stram

I am going to say if you look back you will see it was pure marketing genius to release the cars in the order and optioned the way they did.

Both good points. I think it came down to what I call revisionist marketing where GM is trying to rewrite it's heritage through clever maketing of a storied name like the ZL1. It's interesting how GM insisted on sticking to the "true heritage" of the Z/28 (which is fine) but completely went away from the heritage of the ZL1 which a true purpose built drag car. Not too long GM was calling the ZL1 a barely legal track car (road course at that) and now it's being marketed as a "GT" car after the release of the Z/28. lol. The argument that the current COPO is it's replacement is invalid because it's not a street legal car unlike the real ZL1. My .02

PYROLYSIS · 06-14-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by FINALLYSATISFIED

Makes sense but why didn't the so called "purists" stick with the ZL-1 having the 427? Oppose to making a LSA S/C engine?

Cost effective?

Cause those purists didn't want a ZL1. They wanted a Z/28.

Sven59 · 06-14-2013, 09:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2SSRS

IMO it had to do with the fact that the corvette ZO6 had the LS7, and the plant can not make that many 427 for the 2 cars at the same time. IMO

I understand that the 427 is not compatible with superchargers, so I think the upgrade of horsepower in the LSA is much more possible than with the 427. Does anybody know the max horsepower people have gotten out of the two engines?

Bhobbs · 06-14-2013, 10:06 AM

Why did GM call the car "ZL1" when that was the engine designation?

ZED SLED · 06-14-2013, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sven59

I understand that the 427 is not compatible with superchargers, so I think the upgrade of horsepower in the LSA is much more possible than with the 427. Does anybody know the max horsepower people have gotten out of the two engines?

Dave Barton of Barton Shifters dad has a supercharged Z06. 640 at the wheels.

mkorgan · 06-14-2013, 10:40 AM

Would it be agreeable to say the LSA has more untapped upside in HP/TRQ than the LS7 without going totally crazy like replacing heads, cam, etc.? From everything I have seen it appears that way.

06-14-2013, 06:51 AM	#1
FINALLYSATISFIED Est.1775 Drives: '15 Challenger Hellcat (sold) Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: SoCal Posts: 5,502	Why did GM go with the LSA rather than the 427 if the original ZL-1's had it? Just curious if anyone knew? Just recently came across a thread that showed an original '69 ZL-1 with the 427 but in today's world the '14 Z/28 will be sporting it.

06-14-2013, 07:13 AM	#2
PYROLYSIS Remember the Charleston 9 Drives: 2004 KME PREDATOR, 2014 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Summerv1LE SC Posts: 5,381 View My Garage	Price. /thread __________________ BRING BACK THE B4C POLICE CAMARO! 2002 V-6 5 speed rally red (current camaro) Also driven:1992 Z-28 305 auto Red w/ black stripes (anniversary), 2001 V-6 auto light pewter metallic,1991 RS V-6 auto Black

06-14-2013, 07:35 AM	#4
silverds 2015 SS 6M Drives: 2015 SS 6M Join Date: May 2012 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 561 View My Garage	Wasn't the new ZL1, from the ground up, intended and designed to be the new Z/28? However, "purists" within GM rejected the car with a supercharged engine to inherit the Z/28 legacy. Since the ZL1 (Originally the RPO code for the 427 engine) was the most powerful engine in a Camaro at the time, and the new Camaro with LSA would also hold that title, they decided to revive that moniker, reserving the Z/28 badge for a "special" purpose-built track car. At least that's the story GM tells. __________________

06-14-2013, 07:41 AM	#5
Chubby Account Suspended Drives: Busted Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Home Posts: 104	I'd agree with that.

06-14-2013, 08:01 AM	#7
05stram Drives: 2013 RS - 2013 2SS/RS - 1971 RS Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: West Virginia Posts: 1,027	I am going to say if you look back you will see it was pure marketing genius to release the cars in the order and optioned the way they did.

06-14-2013, 08:02 AM	#8
2SSRS@Gen5diy Drives: 2014 Z/28 #82+#192, 18ZLE 66Nova Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: By the lake in AZ Posts: 15,719 View My Garage	IMO it had to do with the fact that the corvette ZO6 had the LS7, and the plant can not make that many 427 for the 2 cars at the same time. IMO

06-14-2013, 10:06 AM	#12
Bhobbs Drives: 2015 SS 1LE Red Hot, 1970 Chevelle Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Chino, CA Posts: 6,989	Why did GM call the car "ZL1" when that was the engine designation?

06-14-2013, 10:40 AM	#14
mkorgan Drives: 1970-1/2 Z-28, 2017 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Sanford, Fl Posts: 973	Would it be agreeable to say the LSA has more untapped upside in HP/TRQ than the LS7 without going totally crazy like replacing heads, cam, etc.? From everything I have seen it appears that way.