Blower and Exhaust for my Gen5 or just buy a Gen6 ZL1? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Ken Wolkens · 07-30-2020, 07:18 PM

I've got the itch for more power and I love the looks of my 2014 LS3/M6 Spring Edition Convertible. I could send it to a buddy in Clearwater, FL for some serious upgrades and make it an animal or...

Just sell it and get a Gen 6 ZL1 Convertible with 10 speed Auto.

Assuming both would have 650 HP, is the difference between the Gen5 and 6 Convertibles a big leap? Is the Gen 6 much more refined or is it just incremental?

Greenhornet2 · 07-30-2020, 08:12 PM

I think it depends on what you do with the car. The magnetic ride is a pretty substantial improvement but unless you track it you probably wouldn't notice that big of a difference. I've never driven a 6th gen but i do know the interior is smaller which would be a big turn off for me. You get a lot more with the ZL1 but it does ride stiff. You'll get more power pretty easily with a built 5th gen for a lot less money than a ZL1 6th gen. My vote is to stick with 5th gen but i don't really like the 6th gen look.

Vegas Bound · 07-30-2020, 08:16 PM

Gen5 FTW.

pyroguy · 07-30-2020, 08:45 PM

I'm a bigger fan of the 5th gen than 6th gen, but same power that 10 speed will eat your lunch with a 6 speed. They actuality are that quick and the 4 extra gears helps out that much. Now, I'm sticking with my 5th gen vs going to a 6th gen because I prefer the looks/styling and the space. The 5th gen to me is a better overall vehicle comfort wise, but I am 7' tall and 6th gens so have less interior room. Good luck with your decision!

Ken Wolkens · 07-31-2020, 05:12 AM

Thanks guys.

As far as how I use it, the car mainly sits in the garage and is driven when the roads are dry. However I want the shock and awe of the power when I do drive it.

Ride wise it doesn't matter because I'm in Florida where nearly every road is straight and smooth.

byrds8 · 07-31-2020, 06:04 AM

Guess you haven't been in NW FL. Where ever road is jacked and needed to be refinished 5 years ago lol.

Axe55 · 07-31-2020, 06:32 AM

I haven't driven a 6th gen specifically, but I've driven some other higher hp cars with autos, and I think it comes down to whether you want an auto or a manual. If you like the feeling of banging through gears, keep and upgrade the manual, otherwise go with the auto.

Also, if you're upgrading the 5th gen, what do you think the 6th gen would have that you can't put in a 5th gen? If you stick with the 5th gen, you can build the car how you want it, you can make the ride as soft or as stiff as you want with whatever handling characteristics you desire.

Lastly, and I'm totally not biased, I think the 5th gen looks better.

Avenging Orange · 07-31-2020, 07:09 AM

Get a crate motor.

Vegas Bound · 07-31-2020, 09:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Avenging Orange

Get a crate motor.

I did. Stock LS3 sitting on a engine stand in my garage with 651 miles on it.

Yellow 1 · 07-31-2020, 10:52 AM

Throw $12k into the engine bay and $6k into the suspension and you'll have some grin.

sscamaro · 07-31-2020, 10:59 AM

A 5th gen SS with a S/C, LT Headers, ZL1 fuel pump and bigger injectors will give you about 650 HP. See sig below for my mods, 642 HP and total cost $17K. A lot less than the cost of a ZL1.

gunchamp · 07-31-2020, 11:05 AM

5TH gens look so much better IMO. I would mod the 5th and save a pile of money. Very easy to make good power with these cars

CamaroCracka · 07-31-2020, 01:06 PM

There is a huge cost difference between upgrading a Gen5 and buying a ZL1, especially since the ZL1 1LE is really the car to have. If money is no object, one might think just go with the the ZL1 1LE, but if money is really no object (and you don't need the back seat) get a C8 Vette.

Otherwise, build your vert.

pyroguy · 07-31-2020, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroCracka

There is a huge cost difference between upgrading a Gen5 and buying a ZL1, especially since the ZL1 1LE is really the car to have. If money is no object, one might think just go with the the ZL1 1LE, but if money is really no object (and you don't need the back seat) get a C8 Vette.

Otherwise, build your vert.

I actually would prefer a 6th gen ZL1 vs a 6th gen ZL1 1LE. The 1LE eliminates magnetic ride which essentially leaves it in track mode 100% of the time. The "standard" ZL1 allows you to have a track animal AND a road cruiser in one.

07-30-2020, 07:18 PM	#1
Ken Wolkens Drives: '14 Spring Edition Convert LS3/M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Melboring, FL. Posts: 40	Blower and Exhaust for my Gen5 or just buy a Gen6 ZL1? I've got the itch for more power and I love the looks of my 2014 LS3/M6 Spring Edition Convertible. I could send it to a buddy in Clearwater, FL for some serious upgrades and make it an animal or... Just sell it and get a Gen 6 ZL1 Convertible with 10 speed Auto. Assuming both would have 650 HP, is the difference between the Gen5 and 6 Convertibles a big leap? Is the Gen 6 much more refined or is it just incremental? __________________ 2014 Spring Edition Convertible - White LS3 with 6 Speed Manual Eibach Springs 3/4" Spacers Tires - Rear 295/35/21 and Front 255/40/21 IGL Kenzo Ceramic Coated Howards Cam - Tuned by Jeremy Formato Magnaflow Rear Mufflers

07-30-2020, 08:12 PM	#2
Greenhornet2 Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS LS3 Whipple Join Date: May 2019 Location: Connecticut Posts: 1,925	I think it depends on what you do with the car. The magnetic ride is a pretty substantial improvement but unless you track it you probably wouldn't notice that big of a difference. I've never driven a 6th gen but i do know the interior is smaller which would be a big turn off for me. You get a lot more with the ZL1 but it does ride stiff. You'll get more power pretty easily with a built 5th gen for a lot less money than a ZL1 6th gen. My vote is to stick with 5th gen but i don't really like the 6th gen look. __________________ Whipple 2.9 CAI ID1050x injectors ZL1 Pump JRE FPCM JMS Voltage booster JRE Rough Idle blower cam BTR .660 springs CHE trunnion kit 1 7/8 Speed Engineering Borla Atak JRE scoop 1.5" lowering springs BMR trailing arms and toe links Cradle inserts 704WHP 603WTQ 93 octane

07-30-2020, 08:45 PM	#4
pyroguy Started#gottalovethatblue Drives: ABM #831 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: TN Posts: 6,918 View My Garage	I'm a bigger fan of the 5th gen than 6th gen, but same power that 10 speed will eat your lunch with a 6 speed. They actuality are that quick and the 4 extra gears helps out that much. Now, I'm sticking with my 5th gen vs going to a 6th gen because I prefer the looks/styling and the space. The 5th gen to me is a better overall vehicle comfort wise, but I am 7' tall and 6th gens so have less interior room. Good luck with your decision! __________________ '10 Camaro 2SS/RS \| Aqua Blue #831 of 3,903 \| Silver Stripes Check out my build thread

07-31-2020, 05:12 AM	#5
Ken Wolkens Drives: '14 Spring Edition Convert LS3/M6 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Melboring, FL. Posts: 40	Thanks guys. As far as how I use it, the car mainly sits in the garage and is driven when the roads are dry. However I want the shock and awe of the power when I do drive it. Ride wise it doesn't matter because I'm in Florida where nearly every road is straight and smooth. __________________ 2014 Spring Edition Convertible - White LS3 with 6 Speed Manual Eibach Springs 3/4" Spacers Tires - Rear 295/35/21 and Front 255/40/21 IGL Kenzo Ceramic Coated Howards Cam - Tuned by Jeremy Formato Magnaflow Rear Mufflers

07-31-2020, 06:04 AM	#6
byrds8 Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS, L99 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Florida Posts: 447 View My Garage	Guess you haven't been in NW FL. Where ever road is jacked and needed to be refinished 5 years ago lol. __________________ 2013 Camaro SS/RS, Stainless Power long tube headers with HF's, Air Raid CAI, Solo Mach XL cat back, BC Racing coil overs, Elite Engineering catch can, Ferrada Forge 8 Wheels, Windows tinted at 20%, Tuned by Dyno Steve.

07-30-2020, 08:16 PM	#3
Vegas Bound Account Suspended Drives: 2013 Sparkly Red One Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Hospitality State Posts: 2,558	Gen5 FTW.

07-31-2020, 06:32 AM	#7
Axe55 Drives: 2012 Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Toronto Posts: 159	I haven't driven a 6th gen specifically, but I've driven some other higher hp cars with autos, and I think it comes down to whether you want an auto or a manual. If you like the feeling of banging through gears, keep and upgrade the manual, otherwise go with the auto. Also, if you're upgrading the 5th gen, what do you think the 6th gen would have that you can't put in a 5th gen? If you stick with the 5th gen, you can build the car how you want it, you can make the ride as soft or as stiff as you want with whatever handling characteristics you desire. Lastly, and I'm totally not biased, I think the 5th gen looks better. __________________ 2012 Camaro SS LS3, JRE Scoop, CAI intake, Whipple Supercharger, Fast 85lb injectors, ZL1 pump, McLeod RXT clutch, MGW shifter, Stainless Power 1 7/8 headers w/HFC, Ridetech coilovers, BMR sway bars, trailing arms, toe rods, cradle bushing inserts, 2020 Speed Tuned.

07-31-2020, 07:09 AM	#8
Avenging Orange Drives: 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Clermont, IN Posts: 3,297	Get a crate motor. __________________ 2010 Inferno Orange 2SS/RS M6 Black Leather, Sun Roof, OBX Headers, Borla touring axle back, Cold Air Inductions CAI , non synthetic fluids, BMR total bushing upgrade/1" lowering springs, DSE 32mm rear sway bar. GM fe4 shocks/struts/LCA's, AAM 3.91 diff, Vertini RFS1.8 20x9 +30. Conti ExtremeContact Sport 275/35/20. sjm autoprod ABL dash kit. Mike Norris tuned 413/419. Avenging Orange: 43 years of not buying into the Hype........and damn proud of it!! https://youtu.be/9JD9it6SmB8 https://youtu.be/xmelTlEzI34 KICKING CANCERS ASS SINCE 2015!!

07-31-2020, 10:52 AM	#10
Yellow 1 Grumpy Grey-haired Guy Drives: Camaro, Corvette & Merc C300(daily) Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: South Warwickshire, UK. Posts: 806 View My Garage	Throw $12k into the engine bay and $6k into the suspension and you'll have some grin. __________________ ---------------------------------------------------------

07-31-2020, 10:59 AM	#11
sscamaro Drives: 2010 2SS, 2017 Silverado LTZ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denver,PA Posts: 3,195 View My Garage	A 5th gen SS with a S/C, LT Headers, ZL1 fuel pump and bigger injectors will give you about 650 HP. See sig below for my mods, 642 HP and total cost $17K. A lot less than the cost of a ZL1. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS Victory Red, MN6, 1-7/8 Kooks LT Headers, SLP Axle Back, Edelbrock E-Force S/C, ZL1 Fuel Pump, 72# Injectors, JRE fuel rail upgrade, Roto-Fab CAI, Elite Catch Can, Billet Hurst Shifter, DSS 1000HP axles, Spohn Trailing Arms, Toe Links, Lower Control Arms. Chrome American Racing Torq-Thrust wheels. 546/rwhp & 522/rwtq & 10.9# boost Tune by Jeremy Formato.

07-31-2020, 11:05 AM	#12
gunchamp Drives: 15 Camaro SS Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Mountains of central PA Posts: 1,442	5TH gens look so much better IMO. I would mod the 5th and save a pile of money. Very easy to make good power with these cars __________________ 15 Camaro SS- GPI max top end, ESS Vortech V3 9psi, ID 1050s, ZL1 pump, JMS bap, Long tubes, Corsa extreme, Circle D pro 5C, 391 rear, DSS carbon drive shaft, poly cradle bushings, tuned by Ted Jannetty and much much more

07-31-2020, 01:06 PM	#13
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,735	There is a huge cost difference between upgrading a Gen5 and buying a ZL1, especially since the ZL1 1LE is really the car to have. If money is no object, one might think just go with the the ZL1 1LE, but if money is really no object (and you don't need the back seat) get a C8 Vette. Otherwise, build your vert. __________________ 2010 SS - On3 kit with downpipe cutout, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.