[s346k]

Originally Posted by Zr8000

I have found it is cheaper and more reliable over the long run to buy the vehicle that comes from the factory with most power. I also doubt you could get another 200 hp out of the lt1 for the price difference between the 2. You would have to go forced induction or spray it.

it doesn't take much for an ss car to run with a stock ZL1. a few thousand dollars in mods. certainly not anywhere near the difference in price.

[LT1ornothing]

Originally Posted by Zr8000

I have found it is cheaper and more reliable over the long run to buy the vehicle that comes from the factory with most power. I also doubt you could get another 200 hp out of the lt1 for the price difference between the 2. You would have to go forced induction or spray it.

You could not be more wrong. A heads and cam package SS that will run circles around a stock ZL1 is $10K. An LT4 blower conversion with LT4 fueling on a SS is also $10K (Kit is $5K, fuel is $2K, and $3K for tune and labor). My own new blower kit for my LT1 was under $5K (shopping frugally during black friday with coupons).
If you want to do it the poor man's way, yeah, you can do nitrous oxide as well like you mentioned.

Originally Posted by s346k

it doesn't take much for an ss car to run with a stock ZL1. a few thousand dollars in mods. certainly not anywhere near the difference in price.

Absolutely correct.

[BundiMan]

Originally Posted by 1LEornothing

You could not be more wrong. A heads and cam package SS that will run circles around a stock ZL1 is $10K. An LT4 blower conversion with LT4 fueling on a SS is also $10K (Kit is $5K, fuel is $2K, and $3K for tune and labor). My own new blower kit for my LT1 was under $5K (shopping frugally during black friday with coupons).
If you want to do it the poor man's way, yeah, you can do nitrous oxide as well like you mentioned.



Absolutely correct.

Or you could buy the ZL1, have the factory warranty, and not worry about reliability or tune issues.

[WiggyB]

Myself honestly went the 2SS 1LE with all the bells and whistles but a manual and I procharged, headers & H/F cats along with a meth squirt and I'm still 8k under the cost of a ZL1. Just depends on what you're willing to do and how far you want to go. Wouldn't change a thing I have done love the extra power and faster than a ZL1.

[LT1ornothing]

Originally Posted by BundiMan

Or you could buy the ZL1, have the factory warranty, and not worry about reliability or tune issues.

Correct, I will be under $40K supercharged and tuned on my LT1 purchased new. No warranty, but saved over $23K by not buying a ZL1. That $23K differential might not seem like much to you, but it is a financial life saver for me. I would love to have a ZL1, but what I can afford is a supercharged LT1 done my way.

[s346k]

i like to reserve warranties for appliances.

[Joshinator99]

Originally Posted by BundiMan

Or you could buy the ZL1, have the factory warranty, and not worry about reliability or tune issues.

I always laugh when people bring up “factory warranty”. GM’s techs are a joke and I refuse to let them touch my car. We all have stories about their “craftsmanship” that I won’t bother hashing out again here.

And sure, you’ll have that awesome warranty, and you’ll be a lot slower. If you want to go fast you have to do the mods and let the chips fall where they may.

[raptor5244]

Originally Posted by WiggyB

Myself honestly went the 2SS 1LE with all the bells and whistles but a manual and I procharged, headers & H/F cats along with a meth squirt and I'm still 8k under the cost of a ZL1. Just depends on what you're willing to do and how far you want to go. Wouldn't change a thing I have done love the extra power and faster than a ZL1.

This is the fun way to do it. If you enjoy modding you learn a ton and get a lot of satisfaction out of the build. I did a fair amount of mods on my 2002 C5 Z06. Heads/CAM and long tubes and I learned to tune it myself with HP tuners. I had just as much fun modding the car as I did driving it. If you plan to keep the car long term and it brings enjoyment then it is great.

Nowadays, I tend to own cars for 2-3 years and then like to try something new. Therefore, you can't really do heavy mods if you plan to trade often since you void the powertrain warranty and you never get you investment back. In fact, many dealers won't even touch the car or will they lower their offer to cover themselves.

That said, instead of spending the money on mods for a car I don't plan to keep I have been using that mod money to keep trading in every few years. Just a different way to enjoy the hobby.

[B8TTYVILLEKID]

You know I had a G8GT that I modded the crap out of, and it was absolutely violent and fantastic !! Just brutal and that was a big heavy 4 door that made a bunch of corvette folks just shake their head back and forth when they pulled up next to me after getting spanked. BUT it took work to keep it going and finally it went bang because of my laziness. If you can afford a 650HP car that has millions of miles of manufacturer testing behind it I would go for it. It may cost a little more than a modifying a SS but in the long run it is a LOT of HP with a warranty and better reliability. Just my opinion as an old man.

[2broke4zl1]

Originally Posted by 1LEornothing

Correct, I will be under $40K supercharged and tuned on my LT1 purchased new. No warranty, but saved over $23K by not buying a ZL1. That $23K differential might not seem like much to you, but it is a financial life saver for me. I would love to have a ZL1, but what I can afford is a supercharged LT1 done my way.

people talking like it's a lifetime warranty on the ZL1 :p

I need advice for my LT1 when it comes in next year with your experience what would you suggest on mine when i am able to start modding? i was thinking 580ish wheel hp edit: i'd really like to be able to dip into 10s with track tires on.

[SATINSTEEL1LE]

Originally Posted by 2broke4zl1

people talking like it's a lifetime warranty on the ZL1 :p

I need advice for my LT1 when it comes in next year with your experience what would you suggest on mine when i am able to start modding? i was thinking 580ish wheel hp

Its a 5/60 on the powertrain. LOL. You all joke until you need a $15k longblock and its covered under warranty.

The ZL1 is the correct choice. The SS to ZL1 mod path is for those that couldnt afford a ZL1 to start with.

[2broke4zl1]

Originally Posted by SATINSTEEL1LE

Its a 5/60 on the powertrain. LOL. You all joke until you need a $15k longblock and its covered under warranty.

The ZL1 is the correct choice. The SS to ZL1 mod path is for those that couldnt afford a ZL1 to start with.

certainly, true for me

[Gen6cyl]

Originally Posted by raptor5244

This is the fun way to do it. If you enjoy modding you learn a ton and get a lot of satisfaction out of the build. I did a fair amount of mods on my 2002 C5 Z06. Heads/CAM and long tubes and I learned to tune it myself with HP tuners. I had just as much fun modding the car as I did driving it. If you plan to keep the car long term and it brings enjoyment then it is great.

Nowadays, I tend to own cars for 2-3 years and then like to try something new. Therefore, you can't really do heavy mods if you plan to trade often since you void the powertrain warranty and you never get you investment back. In fact, many dealers won't even touch the car or will they lower their offer to cover themselves.

That said, instead of spending the money on mods for a car I don't plan to keep I have been using that mod money to keep trading in every few years. Just a different way to enjoy the hobby.

The way to enjoy it when you get old.

[LT1ornothing]

Originally Posted by 2broke4zl1

people talking like it's a lifetime warranty on the ZL1 :p

I need advice for my LT1 when it comes in next year with your experience what would you suggest on mine when i am able to start modding? i was thinking 580ish wheel hp edit: i'd really like to be able to dip into 10s with track tires on.

Easily accomplished with the LT4 blower conversion and LT4 fuel system. It is also possible with a heads and cam e85 package. All motor would sound much more rowdy, but it would be faster. All motor would also run much cooler (no heat soak) and the stock fuel system should handle all motor.