Supercharging a Z28- need some insight - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Butler7508 · 03-03-2018, 06:56 PM

This question is really intended for any of you guys that own or have owned a supercharged Z28.
I have had a couple of Z28's previously but they were both stock. I am considering purchasing another but want to turn up the dial a bit this time around. I love the Z- it is truly a special car but I have been spoiled by the acceleration of some of the cars I have had before- namely a 911 Turbo and 3 different GTR's- the last one a Jotech Stage 2 that put down 750hp. I know they are different animals and the 911 and GTR are turbo and AWD and they Z is an amazing track car but I am really trying to improve the 0-60 times and acceleration of the Z28. I will probably take it to a handful of track days but it will be mostly just enjoyed on nice days and date nights.
So now that you know some background info, for those of you that have had a supercharged Z28, how much more noticeable was the acceleration from a stop and do you have any regrets going blown vs just building it and keeping it NA?

Matty Ice · 03-03-2018, 10:58 PM

I think traction is more of a concern than more power, as far as 0-60. I know with my 1le the 0-60 is terrible because of the suspension and tires(GY G2's). Even with my paltry horsepower level if I softened the suspension and put slicks on my 0-60 would vastly improve. You talk about turbo cars but are asking about supercharging the Z. I think turbos put the power down better for controlled acceleration, boost comes on progressively instead of linear like a supercharger, helps with traction. The Z is so hindered by weight, suspension, and tires to improve the dead stop acceleration. I have taken out a few Hell Cats from a stop light because I get the jump on them they get on the throttle too much and just haze the tires, yep you just lost with 700hp. : ) I know they would annihilate me in a formal race but in the real world in a real situation it is hard to put that power down on those stock tires. The Z is such a unique car and I cringe when people slap a supercharger on it. By the cars you have owned sounds like you have some cash. I would accept the Z for what it is(track car) and keep it NA, with a cam, heads, manifold, LT's. Maybe buy a set of drag radials and put those on when you want to do some straight line acceleration, or just buy a ZL1/1le?

Butler7508 · 03-04-2018, 06:58 AM

You make some good points about tires and suspension Matty. I should have also included in my list of cars a 2018 A10 ZL1. It was a great car numbers wise but didn't provide the same driving experience. And you're right about turbo cars- sometimes they just FEEL faster because of the turbo kick when the boost kicks in. I have to admit that the thought of supercharging a Z28feels like a sin but I still want to hear from some Z owners that have done it just to hear their feedback.
I saw a Hennessey Z with a 1000 HP for sale but wonder if any of the power is useful or if you just go through a set of rear tires every month

roost3r · 03-04-2018, 07:12 AM

Im procharged stage 2 with a built top end and tuned at over 750. Im still driving on factory Trofeo and I just haze them. From a roll I will wear somebody out but from a drop its hard to get it to stick. The Hennessy 1000 is useless power unless you are going to do mile runs. If one of the guys here will speak up he has the Hennessy 600 and had nothing but issues with it. He ended up rebuilding what they did.

roost3r · 03-04-2018, 07:18 AM

you can see my mods in the 193 for sale thread below

Stephen12ZL1 · 03-04-2018, 02:03 PM

A Whipple kit is a direct bolt on and comes with a pocket tuner. Looks like a sweet deal at $8K. 632/585 rwhp/tq on an otherwise stock Z/28. If I had to do it again, this is where I would start and leave the engine innards (head/cam) stock.

Butler7508 · 03-04-2018, 04:03 PM

Stephen, when you had your Z, was it stock or did you modify it and if so, what did you do to it?
How does it compare to your ZL1?

Matty Ice · 03-05-2018, 06:41 AM

Does the weight of the supercharger up front change the handling characteristics of the Z? What I mean is, does it change it to something different than what everyone likes about the neutral handling of the Z?

Thought about a supercharger for my 1le but just don't want to change the neutral handling. She's a fatty but she can turn with the best of them, for a short period. I looked at buying a Gen 6 1le but decided against it. I love the Gen 5 1le for what it is. It is the last car/hot rod that you can basically work on yourself, nothing really fancy electronically. The Gen 6 is so electronically advanced with the Mag ride, PDR, direct injection. I always tell people if I won the lottery I would buy two Camaros; a Z28 and an SS/RS 2SS with a sunroof, then swap parts and make a Z28/RS with a 2SS package! ; )

03-03-2018, 06:56 PM	#1
Butler7508 Drives: 2015 ZL1 Lingenfelter 700 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: McKinney Posts: 122	Supercharging a Z28- need some insight This question is really intended for any of you guys that own or have owned a supercharged Z28. I have had a couple of Z28's previously but they were both stock. I am considering purchasing another but want to turn up the dial a bit this time around. I love the Z- it is truly a special car but I have been spoiled by the acceleration of some of the cars I have had before- namely a 911 Turbo and 3 different GTR's- the last one a Jotech Stage 2 that put down 750hp. I know they are different animals and the 911 and GTR are turbo and AWD and they Z is an amazing track car but I am really trying to improve the 0-60 times and acceleration of the Z28. I will probably take it to a handful of track days but it will be mostly just enjoyed on nice days and date nights. So now that you know some background info, for those of you that have had a supercharged Z28, how much more noticeable was the acceleration from a stop and do you have any regrets going blown vs just building it and keeping it NA?

03-04-2018, 07:12 AM	#4
roost3r @ElHefeZ28 Drives: 2015 White Z28 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 192	Im procharged stage 2 with a built top end and tuned at over 750. Im still driving on factory Trofeo and I just haze them. From a roll I will wear somebody out but from a drop its hard to get it to stick. The Hennessy 1000 is useless power unless you are going to do mile runs. If one of the guys here will speak up he has the Hennessy 600 and had nothing but issues with it. He ended up rebuilding what they did. __________________ Follow me @ElHefeZ28 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube

03-04-2018, 07:18 AM	#5
roost3r @ElHefeZ28 Drives: 2015 White Z28 Join Date: Jun 2017 Location: Mooresville NC Posts: 192	you can see my mods in the 193 for sale thread below __________________ Follow me @ElHefeZ28 on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Youtube

03-04-2018, 02:03 PM	#6
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,809	A Whipple kit is a direct bolt on and comes with a pocket tuner. Looks like a sweet deal at $8K. 632/585 rwhp/tq on an otherwise stock Z/28. If I had to do it again, this is where I would start and leave the engine innards (head/cam) stock. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

03-03-2018, 10:58 PM	#2
Matty Ice Drives: 2015 SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 537	I think traction is more of a concern than more power, as far as 0-60. I know with my 1le the 0-60 is terrible because of the suspension and tires(GY G2's). Even with my paltry horsepower level if I softened the suspension and put slicks on my 0-60 would vastly improve. You talk about turbo cars but are asking about supercharging the Z. I think turbos put the power down better for controlled acceleration, boost comes on progressively instead of linear like a supercharger, helps with traction. The Z is so hindered by weight, suspension, and tires to improve the dead stop acceleration. I have taken out a few Hell Cats from a stop light because I get the jump on them they get on the throttle too much and just haze the tires, yep you just lost with 700hp. : ) I know they would annihilate me in a formal race but in the real world in a real situation it is hard to put that power down on those stock tires. The Z is such a unique car and I cringe when people slap a supercharger on it. By the cars you have owned sounds like you have some cash. I would accept the Z for what it is(track car) and keep it NA, with a cam, heads, manifold, LT's. Maybe buy a set of drag radials and put those on when you want to do some straight line acceleration, or just buy a ZL1/1le?

03-04-2018, 06:58 AM	#3
Butler7508 Drives: 2015 ZL1 Lingenfelter 700 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: McKinney Posts: 122	You make some good points about tires and suspension Matty. I should have also included in my list of cars a 2018 A10 ZL1. It was a great car numbers wise but didn't provide the same driving experience. And you're right about turbo cars- sometimes they just FEEL faster because of the turbo kick when the boost kicks in. I have to admit that the thought of supercharging a Z28feels like a sin but I still want to hear from some Z owners that have done it just to hear their feedback. I saw a Hennessey Z with a 1000 HP for sale but wonder if any of the power is useful or if you just go through a set of rear tires every month

03-04-2018, 04:03 PM	#7
Butler7508 Drives: 2015 ZL1 Lingenfelter 700 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: McKinney Posts: 122	Stephen, when you had your Z, was it stock or did you modify it and if so, what did you do to it? How does it compare to your ZL1?

03-05-2018, 06:41 AM	#8
Matty Ice Drives: 2015 SS/RS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 537	Does the weight of the supercharger up front change the handling characteristics of the Z? What I mean is, does it change it to something different than what everyone likes about the neutral handling of the Z? Thought about a supercharger for my 1le but just don't want to change the neutral handling. She's a fatty but she can turn with the best of them, for a short period. I looked at buying a Gen 6 1le but decided against it. I love the Gen 5 1le for what it is. It is the last car/hot rod that you can basically work on yourself, nothing really fancy electronically. The Gen 6 is so electronically advanced with the Mag ride, PDR, direct injection. I always tell people if I won the lottery I would buy two Camaros; a Z28 and an SS/RS 2SS with a sunroof, then swap parts and make a Z28/RS with a 2SS package! ; )