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

[Long Carbine]

Originally Posted by Bob Cosby

Hey - you bought what was right for you - will not fault anybody for that!

I've got a bit over 10 years before I hit the 60 mark - and I don't ever intend to get old!!! Ok ok, let's just say I intend to fight the hell out of it...

Anyway, I don't care for skinny front tires anymore, but other than that, exceptional comfort is just not as big of a deal to me as it obviously is for you. But seeing as a lean to the drag racing side of things, a hard-sprung, bouncy ride is not something I'd ever really have to worry about. Heck, on my 99 Cobra street/race car, I'd turn my front drag shock to full hard, rear ones to full soft, and be all set for the street.

I aint got near that many and I'm in my prime. WIll be till I'm 100.

Having my bottom end built the end of this summer pushing 1000 at the tire and I can not wait to slap a set of big and littles on it and beat the mortal piss out of it.

[oortcloud]

Originally Posted by Betiwin

Because it does perform better than the Zl1 in all speed contests and some roud courses. But you dont have to spend your money on it. Thats the beauty of having two cars. Pick the one the suits you.

You might be right you might be wrong. Just at one review said the shifter in the ZL1 blows, others praise it. Only 1 out 4 said something about the brakes. Who knows maybe they got a ruffed up shelby, maybe they didn't. But you are also paying the $$$ for a car you dont have to open the short block for over 700RWHP, the Chevy/Caddy you do. There is a price premium for that. It looks like not for you and not your taste and that is fine. We are in america, pick what you want.

And that's exactly what I'm doing.

Straight line speed the shelby's got it. No argument there. Its really impressive.

But on a road course the zl1's got it. It's not as clear cut because with sheer brute force the shelby can turn a couple of fast laps. But who takes their car to the track to run 1 or 2 laps? It's looking like we see the achilles heel - the brakes. The overall braking system needs to basically equalize the power of the engine. And on some tracks it definitely doesn't seem to do that.

Anyway, I'm not trying to be argumentative. I'm just explaining how I see it.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by 2SS 2011

It failed the most important test... at the dragstrip.. Car is too heavy..

...and that my friend is the easiest thing to fix.

[LeviG]

Originally Posted by A-little-perspective

No. 0 down was to level playing field, provide a simple base case scenario. I have no idea what people do with their money. I am simply showing the difference in cost between $55k and $65k. The point was to show that the cost difference between each vehicle, in a base case finance scenario, isn't that great.

$10,000 difference isn't that great?? Dude, I dont have $10,000 in my savings and checking accounts combined! LOL Its all perspective.

[LeviG]

Originally Posted by oortcloud

It doesn't matter if you finance or not. That money still comes out of your pocket.

Are you really trying to say the difference between 55k and 65k is not that great? I can't even believe we are having this discussion. Most people examine and compare price on just about everything they buy. A car is certainly no different.

I'm not wealthy but I can afford either car. The performance of both cars is amazing. But why should I pay a premium for a car that falls significantly short of my expectations in some areas? In a few years these cars will be old news and I can use that 6-8k I saved to buy my next car.

IMO this is just being smart with my money. But again this is because of my expectations. The zl1 may fall short of your expectations, and so you might be able to justify the extra expense.

Though I agree with you, I have to say, you can always say "I'll just wait a few years for the next car and spend that money there" and you'll never get your car. Yeah ofcourse the next Camaro/Mustang is probably going to be better than the last, but if you take that logic and run with it you will A: Never buy your car for fear that the next model will be even better, or B: You'll ALWAYS be in debt and pay a car note because you'll feel that you always have to trade up to the next best thing.

Just my opinion, but like you said, its your money, do what you will. I'm just sayin, if you ever want to get a car and be satisfied with it, you gotta get over that "next best thing" syndrome.

[oortcloud]

Originally Posted by LeviG

Though I agree with you, I have to say, you can always say "I'll just wait a few years for the next car and spend that money there" and you'll never get your car. Yeah ofcourse the next Camaro/Mustang is probably going to be better than the last, but if you take that logic and run with it you will A: Never buy your car for fear that the next model will be even better, or B: You'll ALWAYS be in debt and pay a car note because you'll feel that you always have to trade up to the next best thing.

Just my opinion, but like you said, its your money, do what you will. I'm just sayin, if you ever want to get a car and be satisfied with it, you gotta get over that "next best thing" syndrome.

Oh yeah, I think maybe my words came out a little off. I'm definitely not chasing after the new fad. I'm an american living in a country where 4 cylinder engines are the norm. It's driving me bonkers. I'm ready to return home and go back to my v-8. I kept my last camaro for about 6 years. The only reason I sold it was I left the country. (They stopped making camaro's so I left. haha j/k) Hopefully I will keep this one longer.

[LeviG]

Originally Posted by PQ

You'll get no argument from me there.

With the exception of of putting an LS engine in a ricer. I'm all for that.



Had a buddy drop an LS2 in a Nissan 300Z. Was actually pretty cool. He left the CORVETTE engine covers on it too. lmao

There are a couple of guys where I live who have taken two Miatas and dropped supercharged Chevy 350's in them. I saw them at a cruise night about a year ago. Its crazy to look at because they basically have no panels on the inside of the engine compartment and I'm surprised they could even fit the tranny under the things, but they did it. And those Cheviatas dont play around! They both took off from the parking lot faster than any Mustang or Camaro I'd seen yet!

[LOWDOWN]

Originally Posted by Bob Cosby

There are quite a few LSx Fox-Body Mustangs out there. Beyond that, it is generally only the "old school" types and even older Fords that have smallblock Chevy's in them. Of course, there is a good reason....what V8 is cheaper than a smallblock Chevy to build?

This also may have something to do with it...weight and physical size of the Mod-motors vs. SBC/LS GMs:

http://editiondigital.net/publication/?i=88199 Page 47

http://paceperformance.com/p-3990-en...imensions.html

Mods are BIGger than LSs. Clevelands are heavier than conventional SBCs. Windsors compare reasonably well to SBCs.

[LeviG]

Originally Posted by oortcloud

Oh yeah, I think maybe my words came out a little off. I'm definitely not chasing after the new fad. I'm an american living in a country where 4 cylinder engines are the norm. It's driving me bonkers. I'm ready to return home and go back to my v-8. I kept my last camaro for about 6 years. The only reason I sold it was I left the country. (They stopped making camaro's so I left. haha j/k) Hopefully I will keep this one longer.

I see you're from Atlanta. My neighbor to the north! I'm about 40 miles south of there in little ole' Newnan, GA! And I bet you just can't wait to get back to our 100% humidity, incredibly hot summers and almost non-existent winters! LOL

When I get a full time job I'm getting my first Camaro. Hopefully that will happen soon! I work as a PRN radiation therapist at the hospital in LaGrange, so that doesn't make the cheese I need for the Camaro.

However I may be moving to Florida for that full time job. We'll see

[Stew]

Originally Posted by LeviG

There are a couple of guys where I live who have taken two Miatas and dropped supercharged Chevy 350's in them. I saw them at a cruise night about a year ago. Its crazy to look at because they basically have no panels on the inside of the engine compartment and I'm surprised they could even fit the tranny under the things, but they did it. And those Cheviatas dont play around! They both took off from the parking lot faster than any Mustang or Camaro I'd seen yet!

Ok, this reminded me of Project banshee from gearz TV, love this thing! See it here.

http://staceydavid.com/projects/banshee

[den318]

ZL1 owner just carry all the magazines with you. If a GT500 owns you on the highway or stripe, just throw them the magazine and see how have the last laugh.

[oortcloud]

Originally Posted by LeviG

I see you're from Atlanta. My neighbor to the north! I'm about 40 miles south of there in little ole' Newnan, GA! And I bet you just can't wait to get back to our 100% humidity, incredibly hot summers and almost non-existent winters! LOL

Yep, I lived in the ATL for 9 years previously. But originally from Louisiana. So the heat and humidity will be like home. Of course, it's not exactly freezing where I'm at now either!

[LeviG]

Originally Posted by den318

ZL1 owner just carry all the magazines with you. If a GT500 owns you on the highway or stripe, just throw them the magazine and see how have the last laugh.

I assume your point is that the GT500 has been shown to be faster at the drag strip and on the road course even though the speculation was that the ZL1 would be faster on roadcourse due to superior handling and braking. We're on page 21 of this topic and everyone already knows this. So please explain what your getting at by being a child and trying to stir $#!t up.

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by Stew

Ok, this reminded me of Project banshee from gearz TV, love this thing! See it here.

http://staceydavid.com/projects/banshee

Hmmm they used a Ford engine in that car, not a Chevy.