ZL1 or c6Z06... Opinions wanted - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Blackkaz04 · 06-23-2016, 02:02 AM

Hi fellas,

So I've owned a fair amount of American muscle and I am ready to make my next purchase. I have 40k and then maybe another 5-7k to spend on mods--should I buy a 5th gen zl1 or a c6 z06? Anyone have experience with modding the z06?

I know the vette will need to have the heads checked, but that's okay since I plan to mod....the Z isvprobably good for about 550rwhp with H/C/I.

I've owned a Maggie'd 600rwhp Ls3 5th gen and the torque was a blast. I can only imagine how a 750rwhp ZL1 runs. Are they hard to launch at that level of power? How easy/reliable is the ZL1 at those hp levels?

Which car is faster/easier to launch at the for mentioned hp levels down the strip? More fun for highway driving/cruising at 85mph? I just can't decide which way to go..... Thoughts?

Dmpsix · 06-23-2016, 07:54 AM

ZL1 on stock bottom end people have ran well over 1,000 RWHP with zero issues and plenty of reliability.

However, between the C6z06 and the ZL1 is a tough call.

I'd personally go with the ZL1 without being biased, z06 is a beast no doubt and can handle more. But the ZL1 after a CAI, tune, UD pulley and some lt headers is well over 650rwhp and drives like stock.

The z06 is a nasty car though and will hurt your feelings if you're pitted against it, granted it's 600 pounds lighter, it's an all around beast but the interior lacks compared the ZL1.

If it were me, ZL1 just because of the drivability, interior and looks. If you're looking for more performance, Z06.

ZL1Kid_AL · 06-23-2016, 08:26 AM

I was in a similar situation as you about a year ago, I was ready to mod my zl1 to the point of no return but before that I entertained the idea of trading it in for a c6z Carbon edition... What I learned is it 100% depends on what you are doing with the car. If you are trying to make the fastest machine possible then zo6 for sure. Fun street monster that can do a bit of everything very well with just a change of the tires then go ZL1

ZL1Kid_AL · 06-23-2016, 08:27 AM

Also I don't know about your area but here where I'm at I can pull into a car meet/show and 9/10 be the only ZL1 there... There is always a handful of zo6s

arkentect · 06-23-2016, 08:32 AM

Every Old man and his brother has a C6 Corvette. ZL1s are cooler looking and command rubber necks everywhere, hell people at car meets and shows don't even take a second glance at corvettes anymore. Not that it matters what anybody else thinks (including me) lol

lbls1 · 06-23-2016, 08:41 AM

A new or low mileage ZL1 would be my pick. The Z06 is no slouch, and it is probably a tick faster due to the lighter weight. The ZL has so much going for itself IMO, handling, power potential, appearance....its really hard to beat.

E. Bryant · 06-23-2016, 09:17 AM

I'd have bought a C6Z06, but it would have gone unused due to the lack of rear seats. I'm still very, very happy with the ZL1, and the kiddos really enjoy riding in it.

Olddudesrule · 06-23-2016, 09:29 AM

Had an 07 Z which had a Katech Torquer 110 and supporting mods (valve train), headers and HFC's. Dyno'ed at 530rwhp, and she was a beast for that level of power. I could also get 25-26 mpg at 70-75 mph......Loved it, but am happy with the 1LE. Sorry, can't compare it to the ZL1.....

Good luck!

Blackkaz04 · 06-23-2016, 09:34 AM

Thanks for the responses fellas. What times are you guys pulling in a 1/4 with a manual ZL1 and at least 650rwhp? Does the ZL1 have bad wheel hop, hard to launch? Any mods needed there?

Honestly, which ever I choose will be a weekend warrior at the strip and turn some spirited mountain driving. I highly doubt I'll get to a road course more than once in a blue moon. I do plan to drive whatever I buy on longer road trips a few times a year for work.

sengli · 06-23-2016, 10:06 AM

Honestly I had a 2009 Z06, all stock. The car was very fast, and it was because the car..only weighed like 3300lbs. After having both the C6 Z06, and now new ZL1...the seat of the pants meter tells me the Z06 was faster. I dont mod anything anymore, those days for me, are gone. The camaro is much roomier, and handles about the same. But I dont do track duty either so.

Thor142 · 06-23-2016, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lbls1

A new or low mileage ZL1 would be my pick. The Z06 is no slouch, and it is probably a tick faster due to the lighter weight. The ZL has so much going for itself IMO, handling, power potential, appearance....its really hard to beat.

It depends on how you purpose the car. If you are doing 1/4 mile this is accurate. On a road coarse the ZL1 isn't even in the same ballpark....its not even playing the same game.

If you're going entirely on looks it's completely subjective.

If you're going on raw HP get the ZL1

Both great cars OP, just make yourself a check list of how you're going to use the car and what things are more important to you.

I would go with the Z06 cause it's better for the track but thats just me.

m1key1111 · 06-23-2016, 11:36 AM

I currently have a 2012 ZL1 with around 600RWHP, if I didn't have a child or need for a back seat I'd be in a C6 Z06. The ZL1 is super heavy (over 1000#s versus a C6 Z06).

Two completely different cars though.

revo1059 · 06-23-2016, 01:25 PM

From what I've read/seen LS7s don't handle boost as well (thinner cylinder walls). At one time they had valve issues too (not sure if that was ever resolved).

Blackkaz04 · 06-23-2016, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revo1059

From what I've read/seen LS7s don't handle boost as well (thinner cylinder walls). At one time they had valve issues too (not sure if that was ever resolved).

Correct. They are super reliable with a H/C/I setup tho....I would not SC the Z06.

06-23-2016, 02:02 AM	#1
Blackkaz04 Drives: 2006 Z06 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DC area Posts: 859	ZL1 or c6Z06... Opinions wanted Hi fellas, So I've owned a fair amount of American muscle and I am ready to make my next purchase. I have 40k and then maybe another 5-7k to spend on mods--should I buy a 5th gen zl1 or a c6 z06? Anyone have experience with modding the z06? I know the vette will need to have the heads checked, but that's okay since I plan to mod....the Z isvprobably good for about 550rwhp with H/C/I. I've owned a Maggie'd 600rwhp Ls3 5th gen and the torque was a blast. I can only imagine how a 750rwhp ZL1 runs. Are they hard to launch at that level of power? How easy/reliable is the ZL1 at those hp levels? Which car is faster/easier to launch at the for mentioned hp levels down the strip? More fun for highway driving/cruising at 85mph? I just can't decide which way to go..... Thoughts?

06-23-2016, 08:26 AM	#3
ZL1Kid_AL Drives: 2014 ZL1- Summit White M6 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 462	I was in a similar situation as you about a year ago, I was ready to mod my zl1 to the point of no return but before that I entertained the idea of trading it in for a c6z Carbon edition... What I learned is it 100% depends on what you are doing with the car. If you are trying to make the fastest machine possible then zo6 for sure. Fun street monster that can do a bit of everything very well with just a change of the tires then go ZL1 __________________ 750whp @ 13psi Garage Built on Jack Stands.. 850++ 100 shot of sauce

06-23-2016, 08:27 AM	#4
ZL1Kid_AL Drives: 2014 ZL1- Summit White M6 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Thornton, Colorado Posts: 462	Also I don't know about your area but here where I'm at I can pull into a car meet/show and 9/10 be the only ZL1 there... There is always a handful of zo6s __________________ 750whp @ 13psi Garage Built on Jack Stands.. 850++ 100 shot of sauce

06-23-2016, 08:32 AM	#5
arkentect Drives: 2010 Camaro SGM 1LT M6 Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Rochester, NY Posts: 1,630	Every Old man and his brother has a C6 Corvette. ZL1s are cooler looking and command rubber necks everywhere, hell people at car meets and shows don't even take a second glance at corvettes anymore. Not that it matters what anybody else thinks (including me) lol __________________ Arkentect's Build Thread!! - UPSTATE C5 MEMBER 2010 SGM M6 1LT - SOLD Current - 2009 C6 Corvette Z51

06-23-2016, 08:41 AM	#6
lbls1 Drives: 2002 Camaro SS SOM; 2015 Malibu LTZ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 4,022	A new or low mileage ZL1 would be my pick. The Z06 is no slouch, and it is probably a tick faster due to the lighter weight. The ZL has so much going for itself IMO, handling, power potential, appearance....its really hard to beat. __________________ '02 CAMARO SS SOM; 5.7L LS1/FLS6B '08 TBSS AWD Black Granite Metallic '15 Malibu LTZ 2LZ Turbo *'14 CAMARO ZL1 Blue Ray Metallic*

06-23-2016, 07:54 AM	#2
Dmpsix Drives: Black L99 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 1,862	ZL1 on stock bottom end people have ran well over 1,000 RWHP with zero issues and plenty of reliability. However, between the C6z06 and the ZL1 is a tough call. I'd personally go with the ZL1 without being biased, z06 is a beast no doubt and can handle more. But the ZL1 after a CAI, tune, UD pulley and some lt headers is well over 650rwhp and drives like stock. The z06 is a nasty car though and will hurt your feelings if you're pitted against it, granted it's 600 pounds lighter, it's an all around beast but the interior lacks compared the ZL1. If it were me, ZL1 just because of the drivability, interior and looks. If you're looking for more performance, Z06.

06-23-2016, 09:17 AM	#7
E. Bryant Gearhead Drives: 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Michigan Posts: 252	I'd have bought a C6Z06, but it would have gone unused due to the lack of rear seats. I'm still very, very happy with the ZL1, and the kiddos really enjoy riding in it. __________________ 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 M6 - JRE 650 RWHP kit, AFCO heat exchanger, JPSS V4 aero, Z28 wheels for the twisties and Weld big-n-littles for the dragstrip. 11.193@128.13 in 515' DA

06-23-2016, 09:29 AM	#8
Olddudesrule Resident nomad Drives: 2014 Summit White 1SS/1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Gilbert, AZ Posts: 1,765	Had an 07 Z which had a Katech Torquer 110 and supporting mods (valve train), headers and HFC's. Dyno'ed at 530rwhp, and she was a beast for that level of power. I could also get 25-26 mpg at 70-75 mph......Loved it, but am happy with the 1LE. Sorry, can't compare it to the ZL1..... Good luck! __________________ Sold: 2007 Z06 2002 Viper GTS/ACR 2003 Z06 1965 FFR Cobra 2012 Nissan 370Z ADM LSA Stage II, Roto-Fab CAI, Kooks LTH/HFC's, Phastek CC, ported TB, Mishimoto radiator and oil cooler, BC Racing ER Series CO's, JPSS 32mm Black Magic rear bar, JPSS front inserts, R1 Concepts Premier slotted rotors/Goodrich SS lines, Schroth ASM harness, MGW flatstick, Brey-Krause HB, Tuned by NicD, at Cordes Performance Racing.

06-23-2016, 09:34 AM	#9
Blackkaz04 Drives: 2006 Z06 Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: DC area Posts: 859	Thanks for the responses fellas. What times are you guys pulling in a 1/4 with a manual ZL1 and at least 650rwhp? Does the ZL1 have bad wheel hop, hard to launch? Any mods needed there? Honestly, which ever I choose will be a weekend warrior at the strip and turn some spirited mountain driving. I highly doubt I'll get to a road course more than once in a blue moon. I do plan to drive whatever I buy on longer road trips a few times a year for work.

06-23-2016, 10:06 AM	#10
sengli Drives: 2015commemorative vert 2SS Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: northern Indiana Posts: 948	Honestly I had a 2009 Z06, all stock. The car was very fast, and it was because the car..only weighed like 3300lbs. After having both the C6 Z06, and now new ZL1...the seat of the pants meter tells me the Z06 was faster. I dont mod anything anymore, those days for me, are gone. The camaro is much roomier, and handles about the same. But I dont do track duty either so. __________________ 2018 ZL1 Bright Yellow, A10, PDR, sunroof, carbon hood, and dash- sold 2020 2SS A10 sunroof..shock and steel special-traded 2015 commemorative vert 2ss

06-23-2016, 11:36 AM	#12
m1key1111 Drives: 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 88	I currently have a 2012 ZL1 with around 600RWHP, if I didn't have a child or need for a back seat I'd be in a C6 Z06. The ZL1 is super heavy (over 1000#s versus a C6 Z06). Two completely different cars though. Last edited by m1key1111; 06-23-2016 at 11:37 AM. Reason: added

06-23-2016, 01:25 PM	#13
revo1059 Drives: Black 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Buffalo Grove Posts: 433	From what I've read/seen LS7s don't handle boost as well (thinner cylinder walls). At one time they had valve issues too (not sure if that was ever resolved).