Id like to play devils advocate

[JETG]

Several things come into play, the major one will be the suspension diferences as far as hooking up. If you had/have the same suspension set up as the Zl1 and heads/cam full bolt on, well game on with a Zl1. I am waiting to see what happens with this Zl1 camaro, but more than likely will just keep my SS. The only thing I might get rid of it for would be the new corvette.

J

[KLR ZL1]

Originally Posted by toilets

PLEASE NOTE- Im not trying to start something, but would like to verify my math.

So Zl1- 4120 pounds and 493hp at the tires (taking into account a 15% drivetrain loss which seems standard for GM)
Gives you a power to weight ratio of 8.35

An SS- at 3700 pounds (what my car weighs now) at 450hp to the tires has a power to weight ratio of 8.22

Am i missing something? I cannot believe because of this, that essentially the SS with simple bolt-ons and a cam has the ability to out accelerate a Zl1 because of the weight ratio being lower on the SS

Any input? Does the GT500 have a lower weight ratio currently?

The only way that you could get that low of a weight is take out interior, remove the crash bumpers behind the front and rear bumper covers and put lite weight drag wheels on. I have seen it before with a guy that I know and he just put his on the scale at the track about 2 weeks ago. So it is possible.

[Blueclyde]

Apples and oranges here. I have an LS3 that puts down 482 at the wheels. The problem is I can't use it without suspension mods and tires. Also, the ZL1 will make much more torque earlier which will get it moving quicker than my SS. The ZL1 will roll out of the showroom and bust off a high 11 in the quarter mile. It has all of the upgraded drivetrain to hot lap all day without worry. Can't say that with my SS.

[stratman2SSRS]

Don't forget that Torque wins races not horsepower.
The torque of a supercharged camaro will be way more than a stock SS.

[91Z28350]

2011 GT500 SVTPP, per Car and Driver weighed in at 3751 and has 550 HP, so that equals 6.82 lb/hp. However, as has been said many times, and as I can atest to, the car is SOOOOOO damn traction limited as delivered from the factory, that I believe stock for stock the ZL1 will be moderately faster. Also, though Ford has done a nice job with the suspension as is ( the car is still far more nose heavy than the ZL1), I believe that stock for stock, the ZL1 will have an edge in handling on longer tracks, I am not sure about shorter tracks (though this is based on physics and a lot of reading, I make no claim to being a roadracer). Overall, I am looking forward to seeing them on the road, it is still a killer looking car!!

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by toilets

PLEASE NOTE- Im not trying to start something, but would like to verify my math.

So Zl1- 4120 pounds and 493hp at the tires (taking into account a 15% drivetrain loss which seems standard for GM)
Gives you a power to weight ratio of 8.35

An SS- at 3700 pounds (what my car weighs now) at 450hp to the tires has a power to weight ratio of 8.22

Am i missing something? I cannot believe because of this, that essentially the SS with simple bolt-ons and a cam has the ability to out accelerate a Zl1 because of the weight ratio being lower on the SS

Any input? Does the GT500 have a lower weight ratio currently?

Your math is right. But there are eleventy-billion more factors at work, here.

You must consider gearing and traction among other things...like a PTM software suite...

And understand that the ZL1 wasn't built to simply drive fast in a straight line...it was designed to excel at everything, and never break down while doing it. IMO, I think most of the weight the car has put on is due to the powertrain enhancements. And they don't do a thing except make the car bulletproof.

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Your math is right. But there are eleventy-billion more factors at work, here.

You must consider gearing and traction among other things...like a PTM software suite...

And understand that the ZL1 wasn't built to simply drive fast in a straight line...it was designed to excel at everything, and never break down while doing it. IMO, I think most of the weight the car has put on is due to the powertrain enhancements. And they don't do a thing except make the car bulletproof.

This. Chevrolet did awesome with the ZL1, simply comparing numbers won't give you a "real" comparison.

[mr02Z/28]

My 2004 GTO( when I owned it) LS1/4 speed Auto weighed in @ 3,764... I'm sure the 2010+ Camaro weighs a bit more... My 2011 1SS feels alot heavier, I'm sure it is..

[2010SSRSM6]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Your math is right. But there are eleventy-billion more factors at work, here.



You must consider gearing and traction among other things...like a PTM software suite...

And understand that the ZL1 wasn't built to simply drive fast in a straight line...it was designed to excel at everything, and never break down while doing it. IMO, I think most of the weight the car has put on is due to the powertrain enhancements. And they don't do a thing except make the car bulletproof.

+1

LS3 SS has the same rear gear ratio as the A6 ZL1. As long as he gets the jump, he could maybe, just maybe eek it out. No chance against an M6 ZL1 since they come with 3.73's (as long as both cars have good drivers).

If all you want is balls out speed, slap a SC/Turbo/TT, cam, LT's and blow the doors off a factory stock ZL1. Just keep in mind, how many of us do you think will keep the ZL1 bone stock?

Can you say pulley change, LT's, CAI and tune?