Any ZL1 owners that came over from a 5.0 Mustang?

[Aliveguy5]

Hello everyone,

In the next 2 months I'm more than likely going to trade my 2012 mustang GT in for a ZL1. I was wondering if anyone on the forum has done the same and what their thoughts were regarding the two cars. I do track my car at road courses and the Mustang has been fun for that however it seems the ZL1 would be much better. Also how does power compare? I know on paper it's quite a big mismatch however I'm interested to hear your thoughts. Thanks in advance!

[ValZL1]

I went from a 2013 5.0 coyote with some shorty headers and a tune to the ZL1. ZL1 auto is way more torquey, handles much better, grips better and just is flat out a lot more fun. My mustang was fast with the AED tune but the ZL1 would destroy it I am sure. Dont look back

[ZL1-V]

I can only compare the handling to my old Mustang that required major expenditure from Griggs racing to correct the old defects found in the old Fairmont Fox based chassis. Of course with suspension mods the car handled much better. I was set to buy a new Mustang after trading in my Taurus, but discovered the Camaro. My stock ZL1 before modding the suspension was light years better. But after lowering the ZL1 and adding bushings and sway bars is obviously has better handling than a stock ZL1. It never ends!

[Jeb114]

No but after this reveal I am going to trade my ZL1 for a GT350/500 in 2017. More aggressive looking car going forward the gen6 lost me. But I will use this one up first.

[Aliveguy5]

Originally Posted by ValZL1

I went from a 2013 5.0 coyote with some shorty headers and a tune to the ZL1. ZL1 auto is way more torquey, handles much better, grips better and just is flat out a lot more fun. My mustang was fast with the AED tune but the ZL1 would destroy it I am sure. Dont look back

I'm running a very similar setup so this is good to know. Thanks for the reply.

[Gizmo]

I had a 2011 Roush Stage 2 with John Lund tune and JLT intake. It was a fun car to drive and looked great. The exhaust note was amazing through the Roush catback. It was fast but lacked torque and rode like a log wagon. The ZL1 is a much better all around car. It's got it all-- comfort, power, looks, sound, you name it.

[Johnman]

The ZL1 competes with the Shelby GT500, not the GT. It would be a good question if any Shelby owners switched to the ZL1 and what they think, though.

[Johnman]

Originally Posted by Jeb114

No but after this reveal I am going to trade my ZL1 for a GT350/500 in 2017. More aggressive looking car going forward the gen6 lost me. But I will use this one up first.

Chevrolet has not introduced it's gen6 top-line competitors to the new Shelby Mustang(s) yet. Of course the new Ford Shelby is more "aggressive looking" than the regular Camaros. You are comparing apples to oranges.

[hognutz]

honestly all these cars just drive a bit different.

I have not owned all of them but I work on quite a few cars and get seat time in them.

I really like the 5.0 for the money but performance wise the Zl1 has it covered everywhere except fuel mileage. The drivetrain is way more robust as well if you want to add power. brakes are way better. you sit lower in the car which I like but you visibility is a bit less.

even the shelby cars drive way different really abundant power better brakes than the GT but it is heavier and can be harder to put power down.


the power is a bit weird to compare because the cars are geared so different. there is a big weight missmatch as well as power missmatch so it does offset the delta.

The zl1 just mods easier without fear of breakage IMO. my buddies 13 5.0 is getting quick. Longtubes, cai, cobrajet intake, etc but he has killed his MT-82 on 8000rpm power shift into 4th ha ha. we just had to have it rebuilt and they cryo treated the gear and pollished them.


If you like a car that just swallows up any road with easy, good balance, mods easy the zl1 is a good car and covers the ford offerings when we go on a road trip on a windy coast road I can just leave him.

I am intrigued by the 2016 GT350 as well though.

[Aliveguy5]

Originally Posted by Johnman

The ZL1 competes with the Shelby GT500, not the GT. It would be a good question if any Shelby owners switched to the ZL1 and what they think, though.

I understand this, however that is not the question I'm asking. The reason that I have asked what the difference is between a 5.0 and a ZL1 is because I have a 5.0 and not a GT500 so comparison between a GT500 and a ZL1 is completely irrelevant to me at this point.

[Aliveguy5]

Originally Posted by hognutz

honestly all these cars just drive a bit different.

I have not owned all of them but I work on quite a few cars and get seat time in them.

I really like the 5.0 for the money but performance wise the Zl1 has it covered everywhere except fuel mileage. The drivetrain is way more robust as well if you want to add power. brakes are way better. you sit lower in the car which I like but you visibility is a bit less.

even the shelby cars drive way different really abundant power better brakes than the GT but it is heavier and can be harder to put power down.


the power is a bit weird to compare because the cars are geared so different. there is a big weight missmatch as well as power missmatch so it does offset the delta.

The zl1 just mods easier without fear of breakage IMO. my buddies 13 5.0 is getting quick. Longtubes, cai, cobrajet intake, etc but he has killed his MT-82 on 8000rpm power shift into 4th ha ha. we just had to have it rebuilt and they cryo treated the gear and pollished them.


If you like a car that just swallows up any road with easy, good balance, mods easy the zl1 is a good car and covers the ford offerings when we go on a road trip on a windy coast road I can just leave him.

I am intrigued by the 2016 GT350 as well though.

Good info here! Thank you for the reply this was helpful.

[BaylorCamaro]

Originally Posted by Jeb114

No but after this reveal I am going to trade my ZL1 for a GT350/500 in 2017. More aggressive looking car going forward the gen6 lost me. But I will use this one up first.

I'm thinking I may do the same too. Not because of looks (because I hate the back of the new Mustang) but for the track capability of the GT350. I'm going to try and hold out and see what GM does to answer the GT350 though.

[ZL1-V]

Here you go!

https://youtu.be/mahe7UorTq8

[Bosse'sBoss]

My prior car was a '11 Mustang GT 5.0 6 spd. w. 3.73 gear and Brembo track package, I modified the suspension with adjustable swaybars, KONI shocks, STEEDA springs and wider Michelin Pilot Super Sport tires, the car was a joy at the track, going head to head with a BMW M3 V8. I really miss the standard transmission, but my automatic '14 Camaro ZL1 SC is a real beast with a very strong engine, and it came with the great looking Recaros. Just need to be more careful that the rear does not steep out. Just waiting to track my car against some Porsches at my local PCA.