Inside Line: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 vs. 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Comparison

[Deki]

Originally Posted by DanSS24

Operative word being experienced. Pro vs Pro, average vs average, experienced vs experienced...results will be the same. Prost said the ZL1 bested the Boss, so how will the GT500 be able to beat the ZL1 on a road course given the "same driver, same course, same conditions" scenario? Now, if you put the Boss suspension on the GT500, it would be close, but again with the GT500's power levels it will make be difficult, even with an experienced driver. Feathering the throttle around turns at speed will lose time. Going into a turn at speed, you may push and exiting a turn, you will break loose, losing time. It's not going to be fun...or maybe it will.

GT500 - great for the 1/4 mile track
ZL1 - great for road course and the road.

Yes...I'm bias toward the ZL1, but I want both cars for the purpose above.

What makes the ZL1 better car for the road? The tiny windshield, the giant blind spots, the tiny trunk, or the poor gas mileage? Because according to that article, they seem to ride about the same on the street. And the 2011 GT500 was faster than the Boss 302 around the track, so there is no need to put the Boss 302 suspension on the new GT500.

[SixGracing]

Even though I know it's beating a dead horse, it makes me feel good to know that if I pull up to a ZL1 Camaro brother, he better be a really good driver if he's going to beat my Naturally aspirated, modified SS. I'm still less money into my car then a new ZL1 Costs. Granted, I don't have all the cool space-age traction and handling stuff the ZL1 does, but I will run with this car on a drag strip all day long.

[Bad@ssCamaro]

Originally Posted by SteeleRS/SS

12.4 @ 114 for zl1
13.0 @ 111 for SS

somethings not right. who was driving the zl1? ive seen other articles that claim 12.0 flat. if those numbers are right you could save a crap load of money and buy a ss and beat a zl1 with bolt ons.

Like the article states and what many of the ZL1 owners have been saying ...It's not all about the horsepower.

[slowmaro]

So the ZL1 wins because its a over weight car....epic.


lol.

[SixGracing]

Originally Posted by SteeleRS/SS

12.4 @ 114 for zl1
13.0 @ 111 for SS

somethings not right. who was driving the zl1? ive seen other articles that claim 12.0 flat. if those numbers are right you could save a crap load of money and buy a ss and beat a zl1 with bolt ons.

Have never personally witnessed a Stock SS doing a 13.0 @ 111. I go to the drags often. Best stock time I've seen is a 13.5 @ 109

Also, again here we go with the "Somethings not right comment". Do any of the posters who are always complainig about the times and "who's driving" realize what it takes to get another second in the 1/4 mile? It's not like the difference between a 13 and a 12 is 50 hp. It's a ton of hp and a lot of car mods to make it launch along with a lot of other factors involved. Any stock car running in the mid 12's is very fast. So stop whining. It's not a bullet bike, it's a heavy Camaro.

[L99CAMA2011]

This supercharge Camaro SS weighs around 4000lbs as well and runs like 11.5s at 125mph, . Also comparable horsepower.

[Rcfiddy1]

You guys see this? This sets the bar a little higher for bolt ons.

[2cnd chance]

Originally Posted by 8cd03gro

Drawing conclusions about what these two will do on a road course from back roads testing and the typical mag figures is naive. The ZL1 will have higher cornering speeds and the gt500 will brake and accelerate more quickly. The zl1 is more confidence inspiring, specifically on "real" roads with bumps. None of this adds up to one or the other being faster on a road course. Somebody will put these two cars on the same track on the same day at some point, that's when we'll know.

What's the % advantage of braking for the GT500? I'd just call 1' a draw.

For road-racing gearing can have as much or more to do for results than HP.

[vthokiefan]

Interesting that both were tested with 91 octane... assuming cause they were in CA?

I respect Ford for the work they put into the GT500 engine to get that kind of output, and the car looks decent (except in that blue! sorry). I prefer the aesthetics of the ZL1 (could just be because I have a camaro) and the fact that the suspension is far more advanced in the ZL1. I've driven solid/live rear axle cars fast on twisty roads and if there is even so much as an acorn on the road the rear end wants to slide out...

[hognutz]

Originally Posted by Rcfiddy1

You guys see this? This sets the bar a little higher for bolt ons.

the car had smaller brakes added and a rear gear swap. If they are going to cry foul about cam and head swap I am going to cry foul about running smaller brakes and a gear swap. both take time. those sweet 3.31 gears are not good drag gears once you have traction.

the brake thing they said had to do with availibility of wheels? no skinnes out there will clear or someting.

Lets face it neither fo the cars are cutting 9's without some mods.

[OldScoolCamaro]

Two camps, two agendas, two different visions, at the end of the day competing against each other on a monetary playing field with seemingly different goals in mind. I like Ford's agressive competitive nature. I think Chevy needs to be more proactive in the redevelopment of existing LS family structures and stop playing plug and play with "certified" motors.

[TheReaper]

Originally Posted by OldScoolCamaro

Two camps, two agendas, two different visions, at the end of the day competing against each other on a monetary playing field with seemingly different goals in mind. I like Ford's agressive competitive nature. I think Chevy needs to be more proactive in the redevelopment of existing LS family structures and stop playing plug and play with "certified" motors.

I think all this "competition" will keep both camps very happy for a while.

[one~Bad~SS]

the ZL1 takes the cake in my oppinion also, its 100 hp less and still can somewhat keep up with the exclaimed 662 horses! and about 10K less i would choose that anyday! ya the gt may take the 1/4 mile but a better test needs to established with lap time on a course that has both straights and corners to even things out and to finally set this rivalry in stone.... For the money ZL1 is the no brainer between the two... but what really kills the gt is the suspension

[rez333]

Wow - that's absolutely amazing handling! What's really amazing is that the ZL1 matches super-cars, let alone the GT500.