Just purchase a 2013 ZL1
 

Just purchased a ZL1 and got it home. Flew out to purchase it and drove it home across 6 states. What a ride! Performed perfectly with zero issues, couldn’t be happier. Figured I would write my first post thanking everyone for all the great info on this site that helped me decide to buy this beautiful black on black hot rod! Now I have to read more and find out the cleaning products I need and techniques used to clean this thing up.

Awesome!

Enjoy the ride! :)

Congrats. Take good care of it. Are you going to be going down the path of making it faster?

Living in Komifornia makes mods very difficult, especially with the new law off failing the smog test if you have a tune. BUT.... I do plan on using the Roto-Fab CAI and swapping it out for smog. I would also like to go with a bigger lower pulley and a tune but I have to make sure it will pass smog with the tuned pulled and the lower pulley still on the car.

Yes, I smogged mine before the tune rule change. I would do things differently with that in mind but I didn't get too crazy on mods knowing how strict California is on smog checks and how it tends to get worse not better.
With that in mind I wouldn't recommend headers, you gain some hp but some is lost due to lower boost. Also ups the underhood heat and passing smog not easy, stock cats in stock position etc.
And rotofab not approved. I wouldn't do a cam unless I was sure it could be run with a stock tune for smog. IDK if even a stage 1 can do that, I doubt a stage 3 could.
I'd recommend doing a 10% lower pulley by ATI, it can be a good upgrade and no tune required. A tune that can be installed and reverted back also as a second upgrade. Keep in mind it takes a long time for smog "ready" checks in the computer to go online after you reflash it so don't do it right before a smog check. The rotofab or 10% by itself can be done without a tune but adding both should have a tune or won't run its best. The 10% will likely get past smog and rotofab no is the other consideration.
Bigger increases in power want bigger injectors which must have a tune.
How much mods do you want to have to install and uninstall and reinstall for a 2 year smog check :bonk:
I'll see in another year how my e85 upgrades R&R hassles (I do it myself and don't pay a shop) and how much I want to keep redoing injectors and all that for the checkup.

Google GM Drive cycle to help reset sensors to pass smog.

I’m hoping to get feedback from fellow Californians about upgrades. I will definitely be getting the Roto Fab. I don’t mind changing that out. I hope to do the lower pulley but only if I can get a tune with both mods and then pull the tune out and pass with just the pulley on the factory tune.

That helps, but there is one stubborn sensor, I don't recall, evap?
That is problematic. No codes and nothing appears leaking or broken but it just won't go ready in hundreds of miles. I'm not the only one that had that problem. Some posted a factory type cycling that didn't involve driving I might have to find again next year. I don't recall what type OBD equip it required.
Not to get too far off topic but smog for oil smoking cars I can agree with, but for the less than 1% of mod'ed cars that run and are tuned properly that could pass a tailpipe check I think is being too restrictive. To non-Cali stater's Don't really want to hear for the millionth time how f'd California is, as if we don't know. Not everyone can easily move to a different state right now. Just wait for your state to go with those smog policies as the cool-aid drinkers move there :crazy:Make SURE you can save your factory tune BEFORE writing any tune. So you have something to put back, or you might have trouble setting it back to OEM with a $$ dealer visit.

Thanks sleeper, I will make sure and research that. I’m pretty sure you’re allowed one “not ready” code but that may be up to the smogger.
I must’ve missed something though... you kinda went off on other Staters telling us to just move out of Cali but I didn’t see any post suggesting that. Maybe just holdover from other posts? I have heard it before though and it is kind of hard to relocate from a great job because of smog laws but I must admit, I’m about done with this place because of the sum of all the crap. But I sure love this car!

Congratulations on your ZL1 purchase!!! Enjoy that baby!!

It's the O2 sensor I belive. Once I did this it was ready to go.

Accelerate. Turn off the air conditioner and all the other loads and apply half throttle until 88km/hr (55mph) is reached. During this time the Misfire, Fuel Trim, and Purge Flow diagnostics will be performed.
Hold Steady Speed. Hold a steady speed of 88km/hr (55mph) for 3 minutes. During this time the O2 response, air Intrusive, EGR, Purge, Misfire, and Fuel Trim diagnostics will be performed.

Thank you. Going to get the Roto Fab dry element CAI soon. Looks like there are a couple different ones to choose from and also the Big Gulp. I’m not getting the Bug Gulp but not sure what the diff is between the other two dry units. One says plastic and the other polypropylene. Not sure if that’s it. 40 bucks difference so has to be something

I just went through this with my car. Feel free to reach out if you need info.

If you know the difference I’d love you’re input. Thanks