MotorTrend Pits the ZL1 vs GT500 on the Street, Dragstrip, and Racetrack

[evolve]

Originally Posted by IOMZL1

Hmmm...

I see a snake in there...

[alex70olds]

Originally Posted by evolve

I see a snake in there...

Yeah, a bad ass snake!

[Monsterpost]

Originally Posted by SlingShot

They seem to be able to handle 700hp without any issues ...

Really, and how long do you think the engine is going to last at those power levels without upgrading the shortblock? Theres a reason GM rated it at 580hp.

[tt335ci03cobra]

Originally Posted by Monsterpost

Really, and how long do you think the engine is going to last at those power levels without upgrading the shortblock? Theres a reason GM rated it at 580hp.

Ya we all know that but with a budget for a $55k car, those that mod it heavy know what they're getting into and probably already plan to do a monster bullet once the stock motor goes.

[SlingShot]

Originally Posted by Monsterpost

Really, and how long do you think the engine is going to last at those power levels without upgrading the shortblock? Theres a reason GM rated it at 580hp.

Ask the guys at HPE, they have no problems standing behind their work.

Also GM can't go much further with the LSA without stepping on the heels of the ZR1. I also believe the GT500 is forged internals, but yet they only warranty for 5/60,000 and no track warranty.

[Blast]

Originally Posted by Monsterpost

Really, and how long do you think the engine is going to last at those power levels without upgrading the shortblock? Theres a reason GM rated it at 580hp.

Of course there is, but the question is : is it because it'll break if you do more ? Is it political? Ie they don't want to get closer to the ZR1? What's the reason?

If they didn't mind getting closer they'd have stuck the LS9 in it instead of inventing the LSA in the first place. Same goes for the CTS-V, why make both the LS9 and the LSA if you don't mind the CTS-V (and ZL1) getting the same as the 'vette ? Yeah, politics.

[MrDew]

Originally Posted by Blast

If they didn't mind getting closer they'd have stuck the LS9 in it instead of inventing the LSA in the first place. Same goes for the CTS-V, why make both the LS9 and the LSA if you don't mind the CTS-V (and ZL1) getting the same as the 'vette ? Yeah, politics.

Uhm, main reason would be the cost difference! (amongst others...)

LSA --> $11,078.00


LS9 --> $20,578.00


http://www.crateenginedepot.com/LS-S...ines-C943.aspx

[The IOM Ninja]

Doesn't the 2012 GT500's engine cost $22,000?

[2012 Mustang GT]

Originally Posted by CamaroFemme

^The awesome is strong in these hognutz.

Thats why I bought my lowly 5.0, the ammo for the zombie appocolypse costs money

[Blast]

Originally Posted by MrDew

Uhm, main reason would be the cost difference! (amongst others...)

LSA --> $11,078.00


LS9 --> $20,578.00


http://www.crateenginedepot.com/LS-S...ines-C943.aspx

The question then is :

If it's only about bucks, why pay $$$ to make the LSA (R&D) instead of making the LS9 production cheaper (which higher volume does).

And also, those are prices we can buy them at, you're not seriously saying that that's GM's MFG costs are you ?

// Stefan

[MrDew]

It definitely cost GM less to produce the engines... but even it cost them half, there's still a difference.

I mean i've heard once that the LS9 with it's forged pistons wont run as smooth when cold and that this wouldnt be up to the cadillac standard. Dont know if that is true but im sure some more educated people can chime in here...

[Blast]

Originally Posted by MrDew

It definitely cost GM less to produce the engines... but even it cost them half, there's still a difference.

I mean i've heard once that the LS9 with it's forged pistons wont run as smooth when cold and that this wouldnt be up to the cadillac standard. Dont know if that is true but im sure some more educated people can chime in here...

Of course there's a difference, not saying anything there

But how long will the LS9 and LSA be in production? Does the R&D cost pay off vs the lower production cost of the LSA?

And if it's not up to caddy standards - ok that's a good point for the CTS-V (if true), but doesn't explain why the ZL1 doesn't have the LS9.

// Stefan

[Norm Peterson]

Originally Posted by tt335ci03cobra

I

Ya it's boost mainly but hypereutonic parts will only take so much in general, boost I the form of a blower just exacerbates the issue.

Hypereutectics can be fitted to closer tolerances, which probably addresses the cold running smoothness issue.

They're also somewhat brittle and less tolerant of detonation than forged. In a more serious performance environment, being a little better than cast isn't always going to be good enough, especially long term. I guess that means that the tuning with hypers needs to be a bit more conservative (read: less power).


Norm

[tt335ci03cobra]

Powers shouldn't exceed 800 flywheel hp net. The motor is making about 775hp if its at 9psi reading 680whp~.

Higher numbers will last for a little while but it's not wise to unless you fully plan/have saved to build a bullet replacement.