07-05-2014, 12:38 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2018 GT350 Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 2,716
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Current ZL1 Owner advice
Hey guys, I currently have a 2012 SS, and there is a 2013 ZL1 used for sale that I am looking at but could use some help from the current ZL1 owners.
The car is a 2013 with everything except a moon roof. It had 3,700 miles on it for $47k. Now the concern..... It's modded, very. I was given the following list by my salesman per the previous owner: Stainless works 2 in headers High flow cats Rotofab cold air intake kit Injecor dynamics 850’s ( fuel injectors) ATI balancer 18% overdrive pulley 68 5/8 in belt Metco 50mm idle pulley Solid isolator in blower snout Apex motorsports oil catch can Sct tune scanner Tuned by jre performance - remote tune There is also a light JRE cam on the car, but I wasn't given the specs. All the above was installed by the owner. Which is what's got me the most nervous. From what the salesman told me, the precious owner was a GM master tech. So, my question, what is everyone's feelings here? I planned next year to cam, heads, and rear end on my SS, but if I'm spending that kind of money, why not just upgrade to the ZL1? My concern is the quality of installations. Should I be nervous? Should this be enough to drive me away from the buy? I don't want to inherit someone else's problem. Also, it was sold because the owner was getting a new house and needed to "shed some toys". Or should I be comfortable that the owner was a master tech? Finally, and maybe I'm wrong, but shouldn't the timing chain and oil pump had been done when the cam was done? Or is the stock ZL1 parts adequate? Please help. Thanks!
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07-05-2014, 12:59 PM | #2 |
H-Town Camaro Club Member
Drives: 17 Hyper Blue Metallic KLR-ZL1 Join Date: May 2009
Location: Pearland Tx.
Posts: 2,035
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I would stay away from it. You can find a none modded ZL1 for that kind of money easily. Then you would still have a factory warranty, even on the track. They are crazy to try and sell a modded car for that. Mods only hurt blue book value. Keep shopping.
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07-05-2014, 01:12 PM | #3 |
I'd always wonder about the mods and workmanship. For that amount of money I believe I'd look for a stock car.
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07-05-2014, 01:14 PM | #4 |
Drives: 2018 GT350 Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 2,716
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The one thing is this. To make my car anywhere close to a ZL1 from it's current state, it cost more than if I was to just the trade in cost of mine (to balance my payments) for that car (already modded). To take a stock ZL1, and then to mod it to where I would like it, is even more than this modded car. Know what I mean?
To get a stock ZL1, and start over, I'm not sure if it is worth it money wise to me and I would then just keep my SS. unless it was like $41k. For a modded car like this, should I try to drive them down further? And I agree, the workmanship worries me. I have inquired of the owner was a member here so I could speak with him.
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Last edited by Swacer; 07-05-2014 at 01:45 PM. |
07-05-2014, 04:17 PM | #5 |
Drives: 2012 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: GA
Posts: 167
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If you can do this type of work you could get a deal. Put a vacuum gauge on it before you buy it. If it checks out you could pull the parts installed already to check the previous work. Then maybe get it dyno tuned. Then youre biggest worry would be tranny and rear end.
If you can't do this type of work you could get someone who knows what they are doing to take a look at it. |
07-05-2014, 04:31 PM | #6 |
Drives: 2018 GT350 Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 2,716
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I don't personally know how todo this.
Do you really think the dealership let me take the motor apart though? I would think they would treat that as a "your problem" thing.
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07-05-2014, 04:52 PM | #7 |
Sounds like you've given it thought and made your mind up. I think you're right to look for the previous owner on this forum. You might try the "Build" section if you haven't already.
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07-05-2014, 04:59 PM | #8 | |
Drives: 2018 GT350 Join Date: Nov 2011
Location: PA
Posts: 2,716
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Quote:
I did find the previous owner by looking at the VIN list and kindly PM'd them. Hopefully I can hear something back.
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07-05-2014, 05:07 PM | #9 |
Drives: 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: pittsburgh area
Posts: 1,426
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I would have to have some more knowledge on the install and quality of work to feel confident. also wonder how many miles on it since modding? who tuned?
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2012 CTF ZL1-stock
2012 ZL1 (sold) JRE 75rwhp kit catless ported lsa TB 11.04 @ 128.35 on hoosier drs and skinnies @ PRP with 1100DA |
07-05-2014, 05:18 PM | #10 |
Speed Freak
Drives: 2013 ZL1 Camaro, 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ardmore, OK
Posts: 2,637
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I obviously think a little differently than the "stock" guys but I would rather have the mods already and save me from paying for upgrades.
Personally I don't trust anything a car salesman says. If they are talking they are probably telling lies. The chances of a GM master mechanic purchasing a JRE remote tune seems kind of slim to me. Nothing wrong with Ted's tunes but I would think a master mechanic could tune the car himself. If you mod your SS or you buy this car you are going to want to have a good mechanic's phone number saved on your phone. I would say find your mechanic now and ask him if he will look at and dyno tune the ZL1 if it needs it. Then tell the dealership that you want to have another mechanic look at the car. If they won't let you take it to your guy forget it. The tune in the car may be perfect. A good tuner will be able to look at everything and give you their opinion. You don't need to change the timing chain, the oil pump, the transmission or the rear on any ZL1. Those parts are good stock. I live a lot further south but that part list screams high intake temps to me if there are no supercharger cooling upgrades. Then again it depends on how hard you run the car. I would try to talk them down some more but the car seems to be a heck of a deal. It may dyno 600-650whp as it sits. My car was modded when I bought it and I got it cheap.
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2016 SS -AGP twin Borg Warner 7163 EFR's, LT4 mechanical pump, LT4 injectors, Walbro 255 low side, Castrol SRF. 734whp/759 tq
2013 ZL1 -ADM - 427 LSX 6 bolt, O-ringed block built by LME. Twin PT6466 turbos. RPM custom manual trans, RPS Quad carbon clutch, 9" Hendrix rear diff & axles. ADM/squash fuel system, Ron Davis radiator, Spal fans, AGP air to air, turbo plumbing. LPE oil cooler, rear bushing upgrade, roll bar...etc. rwhp 1400+... 212.5mph, best Texas mile to date. |
07-05-2014, 05:36 PM | #11 | |
Drives: none Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: DFW area
Posts: 1,844
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Quote:
OP......if the car was owned by a Master Tech who is a member of this site, search all of their posts. And hope they return your PM. Sounds like you might get a hell of a deal here. |
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07-05-2014, 05:50 PM | #12 |
Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Oklahoma
Posts: 2,314
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If I was a first time buyer for the ZL1 and had plans to up the HP on one after say a year and I found the car you are looking at I would probably buy it,after I got them down on that price because it is a little to much. BUT,the only way I would is if I could either get the dealer to stand behind it with a warranty for at least 6 months to a year OR take it to someone who knows these cars and look at the tune and have them check it out. Only after I was comfortable enough with what I have had checked out then I would make an offer to the dealer.
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07-05-2014, 05:59 PM | #13 |
Where am I?
Drives: Zoe the ZL1, 2012 Frontier Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Mars, PA
Posts: 6,071
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If this is the one at Cochran, we talked a guy out of it the other week. There were too many unknowns, the factory warranty is gone and they didnt want to negotiate on price.
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FOR SALE: 2013 ZL1 Message me if interested |
07-05-2014, 06:19 PM | #14 | |
Speed Freak
Drives: 2013 ZL1 Camaro, 2016 Camaro SS Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Ardmore, OK
Posts: 2,637
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Quote:
I think that is a very good price for any ZL1 with 3700 miles. I consider the mods a plus myself but would negotiate from the point of view that they are a liability and the warranty is gone. They will tell you the factory warranty is still good on all parts that have not been changed or affected by the changes. (this is good) The only thing that is left under question is the drivetrain. And frankly I would not worry about that too much. Not too many people have blown the motor on a ZL1 with a lot more modifications than what you are taking here. I agree that it looks like it is going to be a good deal for someone....
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2016 SS -AGP twin Borg Warner 7163 EFR's, LT4 mechanical pump, LT4 injectors, Walbro 255 low side, Castrol SRF. 734whp/759 tq
2013 ZL1 -ADM - 427 LSX 6 bolt, O-ringed block built by LME. Twin PT6466 turbos. RPM custom manual trans, RPS Quad carbon clutch, 9" Hendrix rear diff & axles. ADM/squash fuel system, Ron Davis radiator, Spal fans, AGP air to air, turbo plumbing. LPE oil cooler, rear bushing upgrade, roll bar...etc. rwhp 1400+... 212.5mph, best Texas mile to date. |
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