Why'd Chevy make the ZL1? - Page 3 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

zl1bro · 05-10-2013, 07:41 AM

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Originally Posted by cvp33

Agreed, kinda tired of the which is better and why did chevy build this threads.....I already had my fast straight-line car = 643rwhp 2006 300c SRT8. Ran 10.73@128.5mph, not many/any stock Shelby's doing that. Decided it was time to start taking turns with that kind of power. Tried a CTS-V for 6 months and didn't feel connected to the road at all, tried a Shelby GT500 and the live axle was just useless. Tried the ZL1 and was smitten.

I had the same experience. Smitten is the word.
I had a 2010 Shelby (540 stock Hp). The live axle is tiresome. Handling dynamics in real world street racing are mediocre - the car bounces up and down at high speeds. And I think the live axle gives the car a weird look. U can't get tires wider than 285s on the back without a lot of work. Its not to say I don't think the Shelby is a great car and a lot of fun. Its just out of date. And the styling looks tired IMO.

islander033 · 05-10-2013, 08:28 AM

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Originally Posted by mikeyg36

The ZL1 aftermarket is still much larger. Small block > 5.8.

If you say so...

mikeyg36 · 05-10-2013, 10:35 AM

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Originally Posted by newmoon

Wow you can't be serious? You do realize that with nothing other than DRs and a tune the 500 can run 10s right? To make the ZL1 a 10-sec car it's going to take some serious coin. The 500 could also take the mod money to improve the suspension to compete with the ZL1 on the twisty track as well, but then it's got the 100-rwhp advantage as well. Saying all this I would still prefer the ZL1 automatic over the 500.

When did I say that it would be cheap?

hognutz · 05-10-2013, 10:39 AM

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Originally Posted by parkermoeder

Of course i love chevy, i own a 2011 camaro ss but my question is why did they make the zl1 so under powered compared to the shelby gt500. i used to own a mustang before my camaro and i liked it but the camaro is much better. But why did chevy make the zl1 for the same price as the shelby with 80ish less horsepower?????

Ha ha. welcome to nov 2011.

The ZL1 was anounced before the 2013 GT500 as it was a late 2012 car. It was 30 more hp than the 2012 gt500. they basically got caught with there pants down. Nobody expected 662hp 600lb mustang.

the reason the price is the same is simple. Mag ride and all the coolers and track packs.

a GT500 with PP and TP is $61,450 when I was pricing. that is why I stayed with the Zl1. you can add 80hp to a ZL1 for ~$1500-$2500 depending on how you do it so I stayed with the ZL1 as by my math it was still cheaper in the long run. I did not want the base suspension on the GT500. I am $57,000 into mine and have ~575whp.

honestly though if stock straitline speed is what drives you a used Z06 or GT500 are hands down the best stock choices out there. they do not need any power mods to smash 99% of cars. A ZL1 really needs a couple power mods to be at that piont.

I have been unterly amzazed with the internet banter on these two cars both are wicked and can be made bad fast. Zl1 needs some power. Gt500 can use axels and clutch if your going to run tire. both are 10second capale cars without much money spent.

hognutz · 05-10-2013, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

The ZL1 aftermarket is still much larger. Small block > 5.8.

I don't see it this way at all. I see the aftermarket being huge for both cars.

I see it has it always has been though the LSA is a tad cheaper to mod than the 5.8 trinity (very new platform). And before anyone slams me for saying it I am talking like cams, valvesprings, ported heads.

the main difference to me on these car is what you mod. If I had bought a GT500 I would be doing axels, clutch, suspension with simple power bolt ons. Maybe even gears you don't run 200 very oftern be nicer to just pull harder to 180-190.

on a ZL1 I may do heads, or cam eventually before I ever need to touch clutch, shafts, suspension etc.

SRT8Tech · 05-10-2013, 10:47 AM

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Originally Posted by mikeyg36

You can do a million things to make the ZL1 smoke a GT500 in a straight line, that can't be said about the GT500 aftermarket.

Are you freakin kidding me........watch this video and tell me that again. Hell, I have a 2012 with just an aftermarket blower swap, X-pipe and custom tune running 10.5's @ 135 MPH!!!!

mikeyg36 · 05-10-2013, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by hognutz

I don't see it this way at all. I see the aftermarket being huge for both cars.

I see it has it always has been though the LSA is a tad cheaper to mod than the 5.8 trinity (very new platform). And before anyone slams me for saying it I am talking like cams, valvesprings, ported heads.

the main difference to me on these car is what you mod. If I had bought a GT500 I would be doing axels, clutch, suspension with simple power bolt ons. Maybe even gears you don't run 200 very oftern be nicer to just pull harder to 180-190.

on a ZL1 I may do heads, or cam eventually before I ever need to touch clutch, shafts, suspension etc.

That's what I'm trying to get at. The LSA has a lot left in it where the 5.8 is pushing its limits from the factory.

mikeyg36 · 05-10-2013, 10:50 AM

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Originally Posted by SRT8Tech

Are you freakin kidding me........watch this video and tell me that again. Hell, I have a 2012 with just an aftermarket blower swap, X-pipe and custom tune running 10.5's @ 135 MPH!!!!

Okay. It makes 1100 hp. You have to be kidding me if you don't think I can do that with an LSA. I should also clarify that in my original comment, I meant that you can do a bunch of things to make it faster than a stock GT500.

EDIT: Here's an SS breaking into the 8's. Anyone can go on youtube and post up videos of fast cars

SRT8Tech · 05-10-2013, 10:54 AM

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Originally Posted by mikeyg36

I meant that you can do a bunch of things to make it faster than a stock GT500.

Ahhhh, OK. Sorry.

mikeyg36 · 05-10-2013, 10:59 AM

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Originally Posted by SRT8Tech

Ahhhh, OK. Sorry.

My bad I'll go change it

newmoon · 05-10-2013, 11:08 AM

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Originally Posted by mikeyg36

That's what I'm trying to get at. The LSA has a lot left in it where the 5.8 is pushing its limits from the factory.

The 5.8 is not pushing it's limits as proven by countless 800+ rwhp builds. What kills the LSA is the difference is really more than 80 hp, look at the dyno numbers for these cars. LSAs are seeing average numbers between 460-510 rwhp depending on whether it's a stick or automatic car. The 500s are 590-620 rwhp stock. 100-130 rwhp difference is just huge. It's going to take a full cam, bolt-on, pulley build for the LSA to match those numbers without spinning the stock blower too hard.

SRT8Tech · 05-10-2013, 11:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

My bad I'll go change it

Not a problem.......By the way, Do they still call New Cut Rd. "Seven Hills"? I used to live in Columbia MD and we would do some crazy ass stuff on that road back in the day. (late 80's)

I had a 77 Camaro back then.

mikeyg36 · 05-10-2013, 11:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SRT8Tech

Not a problem.......By the way, Do they still call New Cut Rd. "Seven Hills"? I used to live in Columbia MD and we would do some crazy ass stuff on that road back in the day. (late 80's)

I had a 77 Camaro back then.

I've only heard it called New Cut. I'll have to go check it out...

SRT8Tech · 05-10-2013, 11:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikeyg36

I've only heard it called New Cut. I'll have to go check it out...

Im sure there are a few more houses built on it by now but man we would raise hell back there. On College Ave. and Bonnie Branch Rd. too.....We all thought were were Indy car racers. LOL