Zl1 vs SS supercharged - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Byrdee-D · 09-08-2014, 02:08 PM

So I'm looking to get a 2012 Zl1 with <8,000 miles or supercharge my 2011 SS with the L99. My question is what are main differences between the Zl1 and SS other than the super charger? If I run with my SS I'm assuming I'll have to go through the rear end and beef up a lot of components to safely do 600+ rwhp. Are all the components in he Zl1 ready for higher horsepowers as it comes? Looking to go no higher than 700rwhp in the end. Thanks guys

KaBoom1701 · 09-08-2014, 02:59 PM

The ZL1 is light years ahead of the SS....way more than the factory S/C.

I'm sure this has been discussed before. Try searching the forums a bit to find your answers.

Blk-Ice · 09-08-2014, 03:09 PM

The biggest advantage that the ZL1 has on the SS is Handling, exceptional performance on road courses....me myself have a modified SS and straight line i could blow a ZL1 off the Hwy. So it all depends on what you wanna do with it.

alaskacamaro · 09-08-2014, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blk-Ice

The biggest advantage that the ZL1 has on the SS is Handling, exceptional performance on road courses....me myself have a modified SS and straight line i could blow a ZL1 off the Hwy. So it all depends on what you wanna do with it.

Agreed

Remember the SS was not designed for FI where the ZL1 was. You can certainly get an SS to handle/perform like or better than a ZL1 but you better have a big wallet.

Southern Comfort · 09-08-2014, 08:28 PM

ZL1 Rear end assembly is stronger than any SS.
ZL1 suspension has mag dampers and is selectable for the occasion (not convertibles)
ZL1 has heavier front brakes if you plan to enjoy road course drives.
ZL1 may still have some warranty left.
L99 FI will need a cam to get you comfortably into 600 at the wheels.
L99 FI will need lifters even if you dont cam.
L99 FI will need a tune.
L99 FI will need fuel pump or boost a pump.
L99 FI will need a transmission if you really get to 700rwhp
L99 Fi will need a 9 inch conversion unless you're comfortable with replacing axles an ring gears regularly.
Somebody stop me!

Byrdee-D · 09-09-2014, 12:40 AM

Thanks guys. This info is very helpful, I really want to go the ss route but I'm in the navy and large project work on the car is not going to be as conducive to my schedule as I would like. I believe I'm going to go the Zl1 route in about a year. I have a buyer lined up for my ss in a year after their car is paid off. So that'll be a nice large payment down on a used Zl1. And from what I have researched myself it seems the Zl1 is built with some room to handle a bit more before safety of the car becomes an issue, is that correct?

ZED SLED · 09-09-2014, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdee-D

Thanks guys. This info is very helpful, I really want to go the ss route but I'm in the navy and large project work on the car is not going to be as conducive to my schedule as I would like. I believe I'm going to go the Zl1 route in about a year. I have a buyer lined up for my ss in a year after their car is paid off. So that'll be a nice large payment down on a used Zl1. And from what I have researched myself it seems the Zl1 is built with some room to handle a bit more before safety of the car becomes an issue, is that correct?

If you want to know what can be done with a ZL1 find the threads in the ZL1 section that jessrayo has posted in or go to his profile page and find them. I think the only thing still stock on his is the body. Here's a thread of the latest
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=375697

macwest · 09-09-2014, 10:02 AM

If your SS is stock it is less expensive to start with a ZL1. However, while mods may run more if you SS is paid off you can add them as you save cash and still have no car payments.

On the ZL1 unless you are saving a bundle on the used ZL1 you may want to think new 2013 and find one at a discount.

DSX_Camaro · 09-09-2014, 10:23 AM

Yeah, with a ZL1 all you would have to do is like intake, pulley down on the S/C, and tune and you're where you want to be.

NASTY99Z28 · 09-09-2014, 05:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DSX_Camaro

Yeah, with a ZL1 all you would have to do is like intake, pulley down on the S/C, and tune and you're where you want to be.

To hit 600 maybe but he said end up around 700whp. That my friend is still gonna need a deep wallet.

BGKBCK · 09-09-2014, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Byrdee-D

Thanks guys. This info is very helpful, I really want to go the ss route but I'm in the navy and large project work on the car is not going to be as conducive to my schedule as I would like. I believe I'm going to go the Zl1 route in about a year. I have a buyer lined up for my ss in a year after their car is paid off. So that'll be a nice large payment down on a used Zl1. And from what I have researched myself it seems the Zl1 is built with some room to handle a bit more before safety of the car becomes an issue, is that correct?

Thanks for your service! Glad my 20 is in the rear view!

The ZL1 is a better platform to start with IMO and a little more exclusive. I went from an 11 SS and was thinking just like you. Should I build the SS or go the ZL1 route? Too much money, too much time/hassle, no warranty etc, so I just bought a ZL1 and called it a day.

Modded a few cars in my day and was just dreading the whole car in the shop for weeks on end getting work done and going back to fix little things here and there. Been there, done that, over it. Good luck with whatever you decide

VADER SS L99 · 09-09-2014, 09:03 PM

If handling and ride are not a concern then stick with the SS for 600RWHP. The stock engine, Trans and rear end can all survive just fine at 600RWHP so long as your tune and fueling components are excellent. Now with 700RWHP your going to have to rebuild the engine, trans and rear end eventually so at that power level it may or may not be cheaper to start with a ZL1. With the right setup and conditions 600RWHP is mid 10's territory in a L99 SS. 700RWHP is high 9's. How fast are you wanting to go?

ytown87 · 09-10-2014, 08:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VADER SS L99

If handling and ride are not a concern then stick with the SS for 600RWHP. The stock engine, Trans and rear end can all survive just fine at 600RWHP so long as your tune and fueling components are excellent. Now with 700RWHP your going to have to rebuild the engine, trans and rear end eventually so at that power level it may or may not be cheaper to start with a ZL1. With the PERFECT setup and PERFECT conditions 600RWHP is mid 10's territory in a L99 SS. 700RWHP is high 9's. How fast are you wanting to go?

edit ^^

+1

Byrdee-D · 09-13-2014, 10:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BGKBCK

Thanks for your service! Glad my 20 is in the rear view!

The ZL1 is a better platform to start with IMO and a little more exclusive. I went from an 11 SS and was thinking just like you. Should I build the SS or go the ZL1 route? Too much money, too much time/hassle, no warranty etc, so I just bought a ZL1 and called it a day.

Modded a few cars in my day and was just dreading the whole car in the shop for weeks on end getting work done and going back to fix little things here and there. Been there, done that, over it. Good luck with whatever you decide

Thanks man I'm glad I'm not the only one that has came across this dilemma. I'm in the navy so time is also something I don't have much of. So I'm pretty sure I'm going to go the zl1 route in about a year when I get a fat stack of cash saved up to at least pay half up front. I really appreciate all of the input guys. This forum is very helpful and all the members seem great

09-08-2014, 02:08 PM	#1
Byrdee-D Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Bangor, Washington Posts: 3	Zl1 vs SS supercharged So I'm looking to get a 2012 Zl1 with <8,000 miles or supercharge my 2011 SS with the L99. My question is what are main differences between the Zl1 and SS other than the super charger? If I run with my SS I'm assuming I'll have to go through the rear end and beef up a lot of components to safely do 600+ rwhp. Are all the components in he Zl1 ready for higher horsepowers as it comes? Looking to go no higher than 700rwhp in the end. Thanks guys

09-08-2014, 02:59 PM	#2
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	The ZL1 is light years ahead of the SS....way more than the factory S/C. I'm sure this has been discussed before. Try searching the forums a bit to find your answers. __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

09-08-2014, 03:09 PM	#3
Blk-Ice 750HP of Twisted Reaper! Drives: Blk 2SS/Blk Carb Fibr NS-1 stripes Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Northern VA & NC Posts: 2,244 View My Garage	The biggest advantage that the ZL1 has on the SS is Handling, exceptional performance on road courses....me myself have a modified SS and straight line i could blow a ZL1 off the Hwy. So it all depends on what you wanna do with it. __________________ *Fear the LMR Twisted Reaper Brotherhood!*

09-09-2014, 10:02 AM	#8
macwest Drives: 10 Camaro 2SS/RS, 70 Cuda, 71 Cuda Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Oakley - Northern California Posts: 1,156 View My Garage	If your SS is stock it is less expensive to start with a ZL1. However, while mods may run more if you SS is paid off you can add them as you save cash and still have no car payments. On the ZL1 unless you are saving a bundle on the used ZL1 you may want to think new 2013 and find one at a discount. __________________ "Z28 = first time I bought a new car just to strip parts for my current ride. GM needs to re-think restricted parts. "

09-09-2014, 10:23 AM	#9
DSX_Camaro Drives: 2013 SW 2LT/RS LFX/AY6 Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Orlando, FL Posts: 1,741	Yeah, with a ZL1 all you would have to do is like intake, pulley down on the S/C, and tune and you're where you want to be. __________________ K&N CAI, 1LE Strut Tower Brace, Elite Engineering Catch Can and Clean Side Separator, Apex Scoop w/ Washer Relocation Kit, CTS Front Calipers and Rotors, JacFab Ported Intake Manifold, JacFab Intake Manifold Spacer, 80mm Overkill Throttle Body, SS Brake Lines, Ideal Garage Master Cylinder, Monster Twin Disc Clutch, NPP Retrofit w/ Magnaflow Resonated X, ARH Catless Downpipes, JRE Built 3.45 Diff, 1LE Axles, 1LE Hubs, Overkill Tuned, BMR Anti Wheel-hop Kit Stage I, ACS TL1 Hood Insert, ZL1 Spoiler

09-08-2014, 08:28 PM	#5
Southern Comfort No Tags/Habitual Violator Drives: 2012 SIM 2SS/RS & z71 Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: North Georgia Posts: 2,379 View My Garage	ZL1 Rear end assembly is stronger than any SS. ZL1 suspension has mag dampers and is selectable for the occasion (not convertibles) ZL1 has heavier front brakes if you plan to enjoy road course drives. ZL1 may still have some warranty left. L99 FI will need a cam to get you comfortably into 600 at the wheels. L99 FI will need lifters even if you dont cam. L99 FI will need a tune. L99 FI will need fuel pump or boost a pump. L99 FI will need a transmission if you really get to 700rwhp L99 Fi will need a 9 inch conversion unless you're comfortable with replacing axles an ring gears regularly. Somebody stop me!

09-09-2014, 12:40 AM	#6
Byrdee-D Drives: 2011 Camaro SS Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Bangor, Washington Posts: 3	Thanks guys. This info is very helpful, I really want to go the ss route but I'm in the navy and large project work on the car is not going to be as conducive to my schedule as I would like. I believe I'm going to go the Zl1 route in about a year. I have a buyer lined up for my ss in a year after their car is paid off. So that'll be a nice large payment down on a used Zl1. And from what I have researched myself it seems the Zl1 is built with some room to handle a bit more before safety of the car becomes an issue, is that correct?

09-09-2014, 09:03 PM	#12
VADER SS L99 Drives: 2013 A6 GT 5.0 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Edmond, OK Posts: 2,909	If handling and ride are not a concern then stick with the SS for 600RWHP. The stock engine, Trans and rear end can all survive just fine at 600RWHP so long as your tune and fueling components are excellent. Now with 700RWHP your going to have to rebuild the engine, trans and rear end eventually so at that power level it may or may not be cheaper to start with a ZL1. With the right setup and conditions 600RWHP is mid 10's territory in a L99 SS. 700RWHP is high 9's. How fast are you wanting to go? __________________ BLK/BLK 1SS/RS Ordered 11-01-2009 Took delivery 12-22-2009. Heads/cam/converter/bolt ons. SOLD Feb 2015 to fund 6th gen LT1 SS with 8L90E.