Why is the ZL1 so horrible on gas mileage? - Page 6 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

slick rick · 06-27-2013, 04:20 PM

Around the 6 mins and 6 secs mark

Chief Camaro Engineer Al Oppenheiser

Quote:

One of the things about the Camaro buyer is fuel economy on the list of top 10 reasons why they buy it, I say fuel economy is number 23.

Angrybird 12 · 06-27-2013, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slick rick

Around the 6 mins and 6 secs mark

Chief Camaro Engineer Al Oppenheiser

Well that should answer the OP's question. Right from the Horse's mouth, so to speak.

Zl1 #586 · 06-27-2013, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

Why is the ZL1 so horrible on gas mileage? Have you guys with tunes been able to correct this?

What is your definition of horrible mine avg 14 around town 18 hwy or as little as 9 when the real fun takes place 100% stock

Dave K · 06-27-2013, 09:10 PM

Seriously, are we even talking about this????

Raven87 · 06-27-2013, 09:15 PM

Does the OP really have both? Anyone seen pics? Seen his cars?

Anyone can claim anything.

Just askin'...

RexZL1 · 06-27-2013, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sven59

Are you driving with the nannies off all the time and getting on it?

I hope I added the quote right... uugggh.
No, I've been driving it in touring with all the nannies on. I don't run it hard, but it is 100+ degrees in Austin right now. I would die without Ac right now. I've also done ALL in town driving, stop/start/stop/start.
So, that's prob why its gettin 12. But I'm OK with it. I didn't buy it to watch mileage. I just thought everybody else's mileage sounded kinda high.

jashobbsie · 06-28-2013, 04:28 AM

I never bought my ZL1 to save money on fuel....I never thought of it to be honest... 580HP 6.2L, go figure... lol

STOCK1SC · 06-28-2013, 08:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by littlecammi

No need to. The ZL1 beat both the M5 and the M6 (and the 662HP GT500) in the latest Lightning Lap competition.

The GT500's super-tall 6th gear ratio and 3.31:1 rear gears were specifically spec'd to get good highway mileage and avoid the gas guzzler tax. But in one of the track day comparisons I read, the GT500 got 7 MPG while the ZL1 got 12 MPG on the same road course.

Not talking about racing mpg(how often are you racing around road courses on a weekly basis and who would complain about MPG during a race) just everyday commuting, also the GT500 3.31 gear was chosen because the car couldn't get traction with anything higher and to get a good 0-60 time. The added benefit was no gas guzzler tax. The older GT500's with the 3.73 gears just couldn't plant the power without slicks so it was just wasted basically.

Mister Will · 06-28-2013, 09:21 AM

Just a thought.

But when comparing the ZL1 mileage to the Shelby GT500 mileage. I looked at the difference in price cars and figured how much more I would spend on the fuel for the ZL1. Basically I concluded that itr would take 14 years to break even on the cost of fuel for the ZL1 vs. the higher price of the GT500. So even though you are paying more for fuel on the ZL1, it would take me 14 years to catch up with the extra money I'd fork out for a GT500.

DrkPhx · 06-28-2013, 09:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STOCK1SC

Not talking about racing mpg(how often are you racing around road courses on a weekly basis and who would complain about MPG during a race) just everyday commuting, also the GT500 3.31 gear was chosen because the car couldn't get traction with anything higher and to get a good 0-60 time. The added benefit was no gas guzzler tax. The older GT500's with the 3.73 gears just couldn't plant the power without slicks so it was just wasted basically.

I'm pretty sure Ford spread the transmission gear ratios for better mileage and top end performance on the 13 model. Maybe an owner can chime in to verify; but I have a friend with a 12 GT500 and he gets terrible mileage as well.

I average 14 mpg combined city, hwy and spirited driving. I could definitely squeeze better mpg on the hwy driving the speed limit; but that's not so easy in this car.

MikeSVX · 06-28-2013, 10:10 AM

6.2L+supercharger+heavy foot=low MPG.......

A lot of people want to blame bad MPG on the high HP. This isn't true. It's more about aerodynamics, weight and driving style.

I have an SS with 425hp, my mother has a 2004 Z06 with 400hp (probably closer to 450 with exhaust and intake)

I averge 18mpg and about 65% of my driving is highway. She adverages 24mpg and only about 45% of her driving is highway. The Camaro is heavier, less aerodynamic and I have a lead foot.

I tend to run 75 to 80 mph (highways) all the time. She tends to drive 50 to 55 mph (country roads).

So, even though or cars make the same HP, she gets way better gas milage. In fact the only time I got better MPG then her is when I had a 2004 Nissan Sentra Spec-V.
I've owned about 15 different cars over the years this one is only my 4th V8. She won't own a gar that isn't american, rwd, and a V8. She has master how to get good gas mileage. She actually gets mad when my father or I drives her car and the average MPG on the display goes down..... lol

72MachOne99GT · 06-28-2013, 10:22 AM

I dont understand why everyone is on OPs ass. He isnt asking why the car doesnt get 30mpg all the time.

hes simply asking why its as low as it is and why he seems to think his is so low.

good to know a lot of you guys dont pay for your own gas....

I bought a 56,000 dollar car too, but gas money is gas money. The less I spend on gas, the more I have to spend elsewhere.

RoadMonkey · 06-28-2013, 10:37 AM

It is what it is... this is a fun thread to read.

RatBoy · 06-28-2013, 10:42 AM

Long story... or, well, I guess I love cars.

2010 GT500 - it got roughly 19mpg, combined city/highway
2011 GT500 - (hey, it was new and improved!) also 19mpg.

About eight months later, I added the Ford Racing SuperPak (750 crank hp), mileage fell to 18mpg.

2012 SRT8 Challenger - 20mpg. Needed an automatic - arthritis in left knee.

2013 ZL1 - automatic. so far (750 miles, observing break-in as best I can) the car tells me I'm getting 17.8mpg.

I'm happy. I knew going in it'd be heavier and would get a little worse mileage. But also that it'd be quicker and more visceral than the Challenger.

06-27-2013, 09:15 PM	#75
Raven87 C'mon- really? Drives: Looking for a ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Nortwestern Ohio Posts: 1,966 View My Garage	Does the OP really have both? Anyone seen pics? Seen his cars? Anyone can claim anything. Just askin'... __________________ Steve 2018 Camaro 2SS 1LE Black #3805 - SOLD

06-28-2013, 10:10 AM	#81
MikeSVX The magic smoke genie.... Drives: Jewels (2010 RJT 1SS) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 2,294	6.2L+supercharger+heavy foot=low MPG....... A lot of people want to blame bad MPG on the high HP. This isn't true. It's more about aerodynamics, weight and driving style. I have an SS with 425hp, my mother has a 2004 Z06 with 400hp (probably closer to 450 with exhaust and intake) I averge 18mpg and about 65% of my driving is highway. She adverages 24mpg and only about 45% of her driving is highway. The Camaro is heavier, less aerodynamic and I have a lead foot. I tend to run 75 to 80 mph (highways) all the time. She tends to drive 50 to 55 mph (country roads). So, even though or cars make the same HP, she gets way better gas milage. In fact the only time I got better MPG then her is when I had a 2004 Nissan Sentra Spec-V. I've owned about 15 different cars over the years this one is only my 4th V8. She won't own a gar that isn't american, rwd, and a V8. She has master how to get good gas mileage. She actually gets mad when my father or I drives her car and the average MPG on the display goes down..... lol __________________ Support Search & Rescue. Get Lost.

06-28-2013, 10:37 AM	#83
RoadMonkey that's how we do it Drives: '20 ZL1 / A10 Shadow Gray Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: South Carolina Posts: 373 View My Garage	It is what it is... this is a fun thread to read. __________________ ..."It's All Good" -Todd formerly maddog360 -drives: '20 ZL1/A10 Shadow Gray -rides: Harley-Davidson FLHRSE5 110ci-aka Road King [COLOR=#ff0000][COLOR=black]'02 Camaro SS/SLP 6spd

06-27-2013, 09:10 PM	#74
Dave K Drives: 2012 CRT ZL1, 1969 Buick 225 conv Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: W. Bloomfield Michigan Posts: 104	Seriously, are we even talking about this????

06-28-2013, 04:28 AM	#77
jashobbsie Davenport Stage 5+ Drives: Camaro ZL1 & C7 Corvette 3LT Z51 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Alberta, Canada Posts: 471 View My Garage	I never bought my ZL1 to save money on fuel....I never thought of it to be honest... 580HP 6.2L, go figure... lol

06-28-2013, 09:21 AM	#79
Mister Will Drives: 2021 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Diego, CA. Posts: 457	Just a thought. But when comparing the ZL1 mileage to the Shelby GT500 mileage. I looked at the difference in price cars and figured how much more I would spend on the fuel for the ZL1. Basically I concluded that itr would take 14 years to break even on the cost of fuel for the ZL1 vs. the higher price of the GT500. So even though you are paying more for fuel on the ZL1, it would take me 14 years to catch up with the extra money I'd fork out for a GT500.

06-28-2013, 10:42 AM	#84
RatBoy Drives: 2014 Fusion Hybrid... for now! Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: midwest Posts: 14	Long story... or, well, I guess I love cars. 2010 GT500 - it got roughly 19mpg, combined city/highway 2011 GT500 - (hey, it was new and improved!) also 19mpg. About eight months later, I added the Ford Racing SuperPak (750 crank hp), mileage fell to 18mpg. 2012 SRT8 Challenger - 20mpg. Needed an automatic - arthritis in left knee. 2013 ZL1 - automatic. so far (750 miles, observing break-in as best I can) the car tells me I'm getting 17.8mpg. I'm happy. I knew going in it'd be heavier and would get a little worse mileage. But also that it'd be quicker and more visceral than the Challenger.