From the Ashes: The Stig's Ashen Gray ZL1

[PYROLYSIS]

Originally Posted by Doc

When you gassed up how many gallons did it take? Since the car holds 19 gallons, 208 / 19 = 10.9 mpg but that's assuming you run the tank dry which you didn't do. So even if you still had 1 gallon in the tank 208 / 18 is 11.5 mpg which still seems rather low. Is this normal for ZL1 owners? I've never looked at that.

With all the stuff I've done to my car, and including that I don't granny drive it I still average about 14.9 mpg around town. On the freeway in 6th I get about 24-25 mpg.

Not to rain on your parade or anything but when you said 208 I was thinking that seemed awfully low. Is this average for a ZL1 during it's break-in period?

I got about 13 on my first tank in my 1LE. Also, the owners manual states the gas tank size as 18.8 gallons.

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by Doc

When you gassed up how many gallons did it take? Since the car holds 19 gallons, 208 / 19 = 10.9 mpg but that's assuming you run the tank dry which you didn't do. So even if you still had 1 gallon in the tank 208 / 18 is 11.5 mpg which still seems rather low. Is this normal for ZL1 owners? I've never looked at that.

With all the stuff I've done to my car, and including that I don't granny drive it I still average about 14.9 mpg around town. On the freeway in 6th I get about 24-25 mpg.

Not to rain on your parade or anything but when you said 208 I was thinking that seemed awfully low. Is this average for a ZL1 during it's break-in period?

When I took delivery the avg. MPG's said 22 - if I remember right from this morning it said something like 15.4. So it isn't awful. But you can't properly seal your piston rings without using a couple gallons of fuel (still staying within GM's break-in procedure of course).

Though I did learn that the break-in period for the suspension components is only 200 miles (can pull the page number from the owner's manual if anyone is curious). Needless to say my all time high so far is 0.80 G's - really wanting to max out the display but that might have to wait until I'm past 1,500.

[Mindz]

The gearing is different and the ZL1 is rated at like 14/19 instead of 15/24 like the SS's are. With a bunch of city driving and the higher gearing, I would expect it to be low during break in, but who knows.

[90503]

Originally Posted by The Stig

When I took delivery the avg. MPG's said 22 - if I remember right from this morning it said something like 15.4. So it isn't awful. But you can't properly seal your piston rings without using a couple gallons of fuel (still staying within GM's break-in procedure of course).

Though I did learn that the break-in period for the suspension components is only 200 miles (can pull the page number from the owner's manual if anyone is curious). Needless to say my all time high so far is 0.80 G's - really wanting to max out the display but that might have to wait until I'm past 1,500.

...Sort of surprised....Thought you would have drained the oil and put in 30wt first thing....then stomp on it and seat those rings...lol

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by 90503

...Sort of surprised....Thought you would have drained the oil and put in 30wt first thing....then stomp on it and seat those rings...lol

Nah - Will be changing it after the break-in though. Got to get all those metal flakes out Lol

[The Stig]

Only downside of buying my car from Becky - I had to go to the DMV to get my registration.

Parked the Z at 3:35, had to wait in line to get a ticket, and then am still waiting to get called.

[The Stig]

Discovered a HUGE design flaw/oversight with the Recaros.

Trying to find a way now to document/show the damage it's causing to the interior. Does anyone know what SUX2BU used when he was documenting/proving the rub marks on the convertible top?

Yes - I just referenced the biggest issue convertible owners have with their camaros, and IMO over time this will show the same wear to your interior.

[The Stig]

The issue is the seat belt buckle. With the Recaro bolsters, the seat belt buckle's "resting position" got raised up a good six inches - why does this matter? Because the plastic out door panels are made out of doesn't like being repeatedly hit with a metal buckle.

Here's a picture of where the buckle rests when it's hooked into the shoulder strap/clip. This wouldn't be an issue, but I gave my sister a ride today, so she had to buckle the seat belt into the shoulder strap/clip. Normally it is undone.



I think (not sure), but I think they raised where the stop for the buckle is located. Here's a picture of the back of the belt:



This is a picture of my door panel after the drive home.



Now, you're probably thinking I'm talking about that white spot - not exactly, the white spot is where the buckle hits when it's not hooked into the shoulder strap/clip.

If you look at the top corner of the picture you'll see a section of the door panel that's a different color than the rest - yea, that's from a 15 minute drive.

So a week of driving and I've already got visible white rub marks on my plastic - I'm sorry, but that's just flat out unacceptable.

This goes back to my question of "how did dozens of fleet drivers, driving tens of thousands of miles miss this, but I find it before I even finish my break in.

All I can think about, is what happens when I autocross? Do I need to put tape over my seat belt buckles so they don't scratch up the door panels?


If anyone has any ideas how I can visually show how much the buckle hits the door panel that'd be awesome.

[90503]

...hmmmm....Maybe a pic with the door closed????....Even a video, perhaps....

Auto-x I'd just buckle it....

[The Stig]

Noticed some friction burns on my driver's seat this morning.

Not particularly happy, but I did pull 0.91 G's yesterday afternoon while enjoying some twisties. So that was pretty freaking awesome, and the Recaros definitely do their job of holding you in place.

[The Stig]

Well.....I did it. She's no longer stock.

5000k bulbs from Gen5 DIY







Carbon fiber side trim for the center console. Bought these months ago, but they arrived a week or so after Kaylee's final burnout (it was a rough package to open). Figured I may as well install them and see how I like them.

[Darth_Emma]

I think it's nice to have a little piece of Kaylee in the new car. Looks good too.

[jake2212]

Originally Posted by The Stig

Well.....I did it. She's no longer stock.

5000k bulbs from Gen5 DIY







Carbon fiber side trim for the center console. Bought these months ago, but they arrived a week or so after Kaylee's final burnout (it was a rough package to open). Figured I may as well install them and see how I like them.

nice, where did you get those?

[The Stig]

Originally Posted by jake2212

nice, where did you get those?

The bulbs or the carbon fiber?