10-03-2012, 02:55 PM | #1 |
ZL1 Differential Swap
Just checking to see if anyone had done a ZL1 swap into an SS as of yet. I know that the Differential, axles, hubs have to be swapped. I am looking to see if the cradle and driveshaft has to be swapped out also. Any info I would appreciate it, this is going to be my winter project for this car
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2010 Camaro SS Whipple SC, CAI Inc Intake, TSP 1 7/8" LT headers no cats, 3" magnaflow exhaust, HPT, RX Catch Can, LSR Toe Rods, LSR Trailing Arms, ALKY Control Meth, McLeod RXT Twin Disc, ZL1 fuel pump, 3.73 ZL1 Differential Kit, BTR PDS Stage 2 Cam, Tuned by SLOWHAWK Performance Bridgewater MA
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10-03-2012, 03:11 PM | #2 |
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I know someone that has done it and he had the Cradle, Driveshaft and Axles replaced.
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10-03-2012, 10:45 PM | #3 |
Drives: 2011 Victory Red 1SS/RS M6 Join Date: May 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 481
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I was going to do the same thing this winter but, I have been keeping track of some of the ZL1 owners saying they can hear gear whine from their rear.
I have heard two ZL1s with the stock exhaust, it is a much more aggressive exhaust than an SS in my opinion and if they can hear gear whine over that, there is a definite issue. Some of the owners have gone to their dealers for the issue but, I haven't seen much posted on what the results have been. I obviously don't think it's a bad idea as an upgrade for an SS or I wouldn't be seriously considering it myself, but it's probably also prudent to wait a little while longer and see how some of them really hold up in the actual ZL1s before dumping over $3k in parts alone........just a thought.
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10-03-2012, 11:03 PM | #4 |
Drives: 2014 SS/RS Join Date: Feb 2012
Location: North East Florida
Posts: 560
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It requires the driveshaft, cradle, differential, axles, and hubs. I've heard the cost for those parts all together is in the $6000-$6500 range.
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10-04-2012, 10:35 AM | #5 | |
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$418 RH axle $418 LH axle $528 Driveshaft for 6SPD $2130 Differential complete 6Spd $248 Rear Hub $248 Rear Hub $??? Rear cradle (haven't found a price yet) taking a guess that the cradle is around $800 I'm at $3990 without the cradle from gmpartsdistributor.com so $6000-$6500 is right with install labor included, but I would be doing my own install, guess wait for the 12bolt hammer head kit
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2010 Camaro SS Whipple SC, CAI Inc Intake, TSP 1 7/8" LT headers no cats, 3" magnaflow exhaust, HPT, RX Catch Can, LSR Toe Rods, LSR Trailing Arms, ALKY Control Meth, McLeod RXT Twin Disc, ZL1 fuel pump, 3.73 ZL1 Differential Kit, BTR PDS Stage 2 Cam, Tuned by SLOWHAWK Performance Bridgewater MA
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10-04-2012, 03:43 PM | #6 |
Drives: 625 rwhp red jewel ss COTW 11-8-10 Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Abilene, Texas
Posts: 824
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Done
I just swapped mine complete out for this exact set up with Andy at ADM. we also added the ZL1 differential cooler lines. I also went ahead and did the ZL1 Exhaust because my ss magnaflow exhaust had clearance issues with the much larger zl1 differential. If interested in this contactd Andy at ADM. he has all the parts, brackets, and parts list and his price is VERY reasonable! I have 500 miles on it so far so I haven't hammered it yet. I'm fixing to change the dif fluid and then I'm going to beat on it some.
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10-04-2012, 04:37 PM | #7 | |
Drives: 2011 Victory Red 1SS/RS M6 Join Date: May 2010
Location: PA
Posts: 481
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Please keep us posted on how it's holding up, I know there are a few of us on the fence ready to see good results before we pull the trigger. Thanks!
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10-05-2012, 05:24 AM | #8 | |
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2010 Camaro SS Whipple SC, CAI Inc Intake, TSP 1 7/8" LT headers no cats, 3" magnaflow exhaust, HPT, RX Catch Can, LSR Toe Rods, LSR Trailing Arms, ALKY Control Meth, McLeod RXT Twin Disc, ZL1 fuel pump, 3.73 ZL1 Differential Kit, BTR PDS Stage 2 Cam, Tuned by SLOWHAWK Performance Bridgewater MA
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10-07-2012, 12:18 PM | #9 |
Drives: 625 rwhp red jewel ss COTW 11-8-10 Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Abilene, Texas
Posts: 824
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changed the diff fluid saturday and it was CLEAN. No problems there. found some nice flat roads and hammered it a bit and the car is grabbing hard. I'm very happy with the swap.
We did swap the craddle. I think when you look at the cost of the craddle vs. the labor to modify the stock you will see why it's such an easier choice. We used the zl1 sub frame bushings too. They are stiffer than the stock SS bushings. car is more solid in the rear. From a hard accelerations the car seems to want to break the tires loose more. I'm not getting the hard "squat" like it did before. I'm playing with tire pressures now to see .... Daily driving it, it's firmer on the small road bumps, but other than this it's not bad at all. I'm sure the magnetic ride takes that out on the zl1 cars. But for a lowered car I can't really feel much of a difference.
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10-07-2012, 04:27 PM | #10 | |
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Good reveiw regarding the swap, I think that this is probably the route I am going to go with for a winter project on my car, cost is going to be right and I will also change out the fuel pump to the ZL1.
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2010 Camaro SS Whipple SC, CAI Inc Intake, TSP 1 7/8" LT headers no cats, 3" magnaflow exhaust, HPT, RX Catch Can, LSR Toe Rods, LSR Trailing Arms, ALKY Control Meth, McLeod RXT Twin Disc, ZL1 fuel pump, 3.73 ZL1 Differential Kit, BTR PDS Stage 2 Cam, Tuned by SLOWHAWK Performance Bridgewater MA
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10-08-2012, 07:47 AM | #11 |
Drives: 625 rwhp red jewel ss COTW 11-8-10 Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Abilene, Texas
Posts: 824
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I too have done the zl1 fuel pump and have the KB boost a pump on my set up. This works great. I was having problems of the car getting very lean at high rpms, but since the upgrade it's been great and I don't get that sputter at the top of my rpm band!
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10-08-2012, 11:17 AM | #12 |
Right now I have the MSD Boost pump that came with the whipple kit, I haven't had any sputtering RPM issues, but I also turned my rev limiter down to 6000RPM just in case. The car has more in it, but I don't want to risk the stock pump running out even with the boost pump
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2010 Camaro SS Whipple SC, CAI Inc Intake, TSP 1 7/8" LT headers no cats, 3" magnaflow exhaust, HPT, RX Catch Can, LSR Toe Rods, LSR Trailing Arms, ALKY Control Meth, McLeod RXT Twin Disc, ZL1 fuel pump, 3.73 ZL1 Differential Kit, BTR PDS Stage 2 Cam, Tuned by SLOWHAWK Performance Bridgewater MA
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10-13-2012, 01:57 AM | #13 |
Drives: 2SS/RS LS3 RJT Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Northern Virginia
Posts: 755
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I have a question. If you are looking at spending $4000-$5000 in parts alone, why would you not move up to an aftermarket 9" kit? Wouldn't the 9" kit be much stronger?
I have a similar set up.(Whipple, Cam, Headers, 4.11s). I'm currently around 650rwhp. I am trying to decide which route is better. Does anyone have any advice? |
10-13-2012, 12:24 PM | #14 |
Dont H8 Me Cuz U Aint Me
Drives: 2016 SS Sedan, 2017 Explorer Sport Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
Posts: 2,910
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Does the 1LE differential require a new cradle? I wouldnt mind getting a little less gear in the rear. my 4.11's are great but a little more fuel economy on the highway would be nice.
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