reliable power numbers and what to do to when installing a cam

[Zl_garrett]

I have a 2013 auto zl1, i really want to hit the 700-750 whp mark and i can do that with a cam but im not sure of a few things.

1. I have an automatic, and id rather not go for a drive and discover I have 6 neutrals after a pull.

2. when doing a camshaft upgrade, what needs to be done to really bullet proof the surrounding components, so I don't experience any issues when revving it higher/throwing the more aggressive cam in there

3. will the 6l90/driveshaft/axle's/diff be able to take abuse from that? I have kept up with maintenance like swapping the trans fluid/filter at 60kmiles and swapping the differential fluid at 70k as well as oil changes and all that other fun stuff

I daily this car and want that signature chop and 700whp but want to make sure I go about it the right way and don't screw myself having to rebuild the transmission and all that

p.s. I am not hard launching it from the drag strip, nor am i even on a drag tire. most id do is the occasional pull while driving home or eventually doing open track days, thank you in advance for whoever can shed insght/pointers in any of the above topics

[CamaroDreams76]

1. People run 800whp all day long and abuse the hell out of their bone stock 6L90. That doesnt need to be touched. I know of a 1K whp ZL1 that had hundreds of passes on the 6L with a stock torque converter. Zero done to the trans.

2. Pushrods, springs, retainers. Check out BTR or Texas speed. They sell entire kits with everything you will need.

3. Axles are the only eh thing but the diff is rock solid. People upgrade their SS to ZL1 diffs and throw a ton of power at them.

The factory ZL1 drivetrain is pretty stout.

[ZMEnow]

Originally Posted by Zl_garrett

I have a 2013 auto zl1, i really want to hit the 700-750 whp mark and i can do that with a cam but im not sure of a few things.

1. I have an automatic, and id rather not go for a drive and discover I have 6 neutrals after a pull.

2. when doing a camshaft upgrade, what needs to be done to really bullet proof the surrounding components, so I don't experience any issues when revving it higher/throwing the more aggressive cam in there

3. will the 6l90/driveshaft/axle's/diff be able to take abuse from that? I have kept up with maintenance like swapping the trans fluid/filter at 60kmiles and swapping the differential fluid at 70k as well as oil changes and all that other fun stuff

I daily this car and want that signature chop and 700whp but want to make sure I go about it the right way and don't screw myself having to rebuild the transmission and all that

p.s. I am not hard launching it from the drag strip, nor am i even on a drag tire. most id do is the occasional pull while driving home or eventually doing open track days, thank you in advance for whoever can shed insght/pointers in any of the above topics

You are about max of the rear end components now for daily use or if you want to keep the car for long term. 1st to go will be the struts if they are still mag, second will be the trailing arm bushings and then the bars themselves will bend. That’s just the beginning.. keep in mind you can’t barely find the one time use bolts to remove the driveshaft, or the driveshaft or center bearing as they are all discontinued. And absolutely nothing left for the rear pig, no diff gasket, pinion seal, so if you want to keep the OEM stuff tread lightly. If you want to start putting in 3rd party stuff then go for the 1k mark and enjoy it while it last..

[70T/A400]

Go ahead, modify it

We need more parts cars

[Zl_garrett]

Originally Posted by CamaroDreams76

1. People run 800whp all day long and abuse the hell out of their bone stock 6L90. That doesnt need to be touched. I know of a 1K whp ZL1 that had hundreds of passes on the 6L with a stock torque converter. Zero done to the trans.

2. Pushrods, springs, retainers. Check out BTR or Texas speed. They sell entire kits with everything you will need.

3. Axles are the only eh thing but the diff is rock solid. People upgrade their SS to ZL1 diffs and throw a ton of power at them.

The factory ZL1 drivetrain is pretty stout.

this makes me alot more confident lol, thank you

[Zl_garrett]

Originally Posted by 70T/A400

Go ahead, modify it

We need more parts cars

all cars are parts cars when you think about it, just in varying condition

[Zl_garrett]

Originally Posted by ZMEnow

You are about max of the rear end components now for daily use or if you want to keep the car for long term. 1st to go will be the struts if they are still mag, second will be the trailing arm bushings and then the bars themselves will bend. That’s just the beginning.. keep in mind you can’t barely find the one time use bolts to remove the driveshaft, or the driveshaft or center bearing as they are all discontinued. And absolutely nothing left for the rear pig, no diff gasket, pinion seal, so if you want to keep the OEM stuff tread lightly. If you want to start putting in 3rd party stuff then go for the 1k mark and enjoy it while it last..

so ~750 whp is about the max for stock drivetrain/transmission for daily driving/the occasional pull with no hard/drag radial launches?

[ZMEnow]

Originally Posted by Zl_garrett

so ~750 whp is about the max for stock drivetrain/transmission for daily driving/the occasional pull with no hard/drag radial launches?

Your tag says you are at 650 now and that’s about the max for not damaging stuff, not to say that you can’t at that number as it depends on how you use it, but that was the number talked around the tech center as max. At 700 the half shafts, and all the trailing arms and rubber in the cradle are gonna get beat, (they are already drying out) and again are you daily driving with occasional spirited punches, or Friday nights at Mexico for $$. If the later is your thing you better be prepared for replacing the stock stuff. Yes if the rear differential has good lash now, and quiet, it’s pretty solid and will take it, it’s everything around it that’s gonna come apart.

Transmission really depend on how you use them. I have seen guys with the M6 at 1000hp using stock clutches, but they were granny shifting, not nls.