A few words to our new ZL1 customers -

[GoldenBear]

It seems that there are some differing opinions regarding new engine break in procedures. Scott, maybe you can provide some clarity.

It is my understanding that with regard to new engines, engine manufacturers now use a much finer honing pattern in the cylinders than they once did. Also, there is a lot less heat build up in the cylinders from ring friction due to the finer honing pattern and vastly improved metal casting and machining technologies which are now used in modern engines. Therefore, the wearing in of the new parts involves significantly less friction and actual wear than it did in the past, and, accordingly, these differences change the break-in requirements when compared to older engines, because the time frame for achieving an exceptional ring seal is much smaller with newer engines than it was with the older engines.

I believe that piston rings don’t rely on their spring tension to seal against the cylinder bores. Instead, the rings are forced outward by combustion gases that work their way between the rings and the piston. Therefore, during the early stages of engine operation, it’s important that the throttle be opened relatively far at lower RPMs to provide this high pressure. Otherwise, the rings won’t seal against the cylinder walls properly, which will reduce engine performance and shorten engine life. Also, for the first thousand miles, one should avoid constant speeds and throttle settings.

Is it recommended that one should not open the throttle significantly on the ZL1 during the first 1,500 miles of operation? If so, that would seem counter intuitive to me to achieve properly ring sealing.

Any thoughts?

[OldJedi]

Originally Posted by fbodfather

betcha it won't be!!!! I think you're going to be very pleasantly surprised at how well the ZL1 rides - and how quiet it is at 70mph -- and how comfortable the seats are --

.........and THEN there's the 'wild' side --

Best of Luck with "Maxine" - and THANK YOU for your kind patience, your voice of reason over the past few months - and for 'Keeping the Faith!' --


On behalf of everyone at Team Camaro and our team-mates at Oshawa - THANK YOU for choosing a ZL1 - we hope this will be -by far- the best car you've ever owned!

I have lot of "Thanks" to dispense:

Thanks to, Stingray Chevrolet for letting an East Coaster buy a car at a guaranteed MSRP price and taking a deposit on a "possible Z28" sometime in the future two years in advance. They have kept me very well informed through out the process and were extremely professional ad polite.

Thanks to all of the members of Camaro5 that have become like a virtual family and in many cases real friends.

A special thank you to Becky, Joe and Maureen at Rodger's Chevrolet for everything that they have done for all of us and especially for me.

A special thank you to Super 60 and everyone in the Camaro plant in Oshawa for building a phenomenal car for all of us to enjoy.

And a really big thank you to Fbodfather, who kept reminding us to "keep the faith" and informing us with as much information as he possibly could. He took a lot of heat on so many occasions from us and gritted his teeth with a smile and kept going. The doctor had to take his laptop away from him while he was having a procedure done because it was blocking the doctor's view. A great guy with a huge heart and a love for this Chevy marque, Camaro.

[RallyYellow11]

Originally Posted by gmgdave

Thanks, Will be Yelm next weekend visiting a 2011 Boss 302

#413 was the 1st ZL1 delivered in Washington.

Would love to see that beast in person, but I might be in school next weekend in Virginia, .

[adamgl]

Originally Posted by G-Oil Guy

What about us poor schmucks stuck at 1100? Any news for us?

Please.

[Modern07]

Hi Scott

I really think the specific PDI requirements for the ZL1 need to be communicated more forcefully to the dealerships.

It's fine to talk about the break-in procedure, but I have seen numerous cars on here that have been delivered to the customer with the spring spacers still in, and this is just as likely to cause damage as not following the correct break-in procedure.

Most people ordering a ZL1 will be aware of this and check before they accept the car, but what about those that don't - and what about the miles put on the car before the customer picks it up such as going to get gas, and the PDI miles etc.

[rrubio]

i think the people that have actually received their car are in the minority. plenty more are waiting on getting built or wondering if theyre getting bumped to next year. TPWs would go a long way

[OldScoolCamaro]

Originally Posted by OldJedi

Thanks Fbodfather. 'Maxine' (#336) was delivered to Stingray Chevrolet along with afirehawks1's ZL1 early this morning. I am looking forward to giving a first impressions account of my first Camaro. It has been two years and two weeks since I gave Stingray a deposit for the the car. I am looking forward to picking her up and driving home tomorrow. Nothing over 80 mph and nothing over 4000 RPM, it is going to be a long 1500 miles.

Jedi, I am really thrilled to hear the good news and look forward to seeing your Perma Grin with many pics posted! Congrats Brother!

Originally Posted by afirehawk1

All I can say is WOW and thanks!!! Words can not describe my emotions right now!!!!
And I havent even driven it yet!!

I would like to say this car has delivered more than promised. Wait till you drive it. I feel exactly like you do!

[2SSJIM]

Thanks Scott for those encouraging words and I will be looking forward to my build week and it's arrival. Presently still at 3000 but know any day now!

[mlee]

Originally Posted by G-Oil Guy

What about us poor schmucks stuck at 1100? Any news for us?

Originally Posted by adamgl

Please.

I'm happy for all the new ZL1 owners too, in fact I got to ride in one today... but there are still a bunch of us in limbo...

I thought we were supposed to hear something about the remaining 2012 allocations this week...

...instead I get wait til the next DSOP...

[b4z]

I would think taking it easy for the first 1500 miles is more important for brakes and The rearend than the engine. If you run a car hard early on it takes longer for the rings to seat.

But I am not sure I would put a brand new ZL1 on a dyno like some here have.

[piepouli]

the way things are going I will be lucky to get 100 miles on mine this year, maybe it will come with winter tires

[mechanic1]

I know its real difficult watching everyone get their ride and feeling your missing the party........shit happens........and I know that by the time we get ours , everyone could care less about seeing another picture.......but such is life.....looking on the bright side, the builds WILL get better,and who knows, maybe carbon fibre will be out as well.....one thing I CAN guarantee you is your drivers licence will be in better shape without a zl1...........to be truthfully honest, I am just both proud and happy for GM to have created such a masterstroke.........they have proven that GM is now being run finally by CAR people and not bean counters and accountants.....to go thru such a mess as we have in the last few years and come out swinging means a lot.........this car WILL be talked aboout for years to come and I am just glad I was around to witness the egg on the competitions face.........C.J.

[Max536]

Originally Posted by OldJedi

And a really big thank you to Fbodfather, who kept reminding us to "keep the faith" and informing us with as much information as he possibly could. He took a lot of heat on so many occasions from us and gritted his teeth with a smile and kept going. The doctor had to take his laptop away from him while he was having a procedure done because it was blocking the doctor's view. A great guy with a huge heart and a love for this Chevy marque, Camaro.

AMEN!!!

[piepouli]

Originally Posted by mechanic1

I know its real difficult watching everyone get their ride and feeling your missing the party........shit happens........and I know that by the time we get ours , everyone could care less about seeing another picture.......but such is life.....looking on the bright side, the builds WILL get better,and who knows, maybe carbon fibre will be out as well.....one thing I CAN guarantee you is your drivers licence will be in better shape without a zl1...........to be truthfully honest, I am just both proud and happy for GM to have created such a masterstroke.........they have proven that GM is now being run finally by CAR people and not bean counters and accountants.....to go thru such a mess as we have in the last few years and come out swinging means a lot.........this car WILL be talked aboout for years to come and I am just glad I was around to witness the egg on the competitions face.........C.J.

Thumbs up to your post, but this waiting game is realy getting the best of me and I'm sure others trying to get info with GM customer service and they tell you to contact your dealer does has no info what so ever on what is going on