Pull the trigger or not? - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

RandyT · 06-09-2017, 07:11 PM

Hello,
Looking at trading my 12 SS in on a 13 ZL1 with 8145 miles on her, mine has 20,000 miles.

Mine is paid off and really like not having a payment but this is a ZL1

The other option would be to go the Lingenfelter route or Hennessey a cheaper option and still plenty of horsepower

Would appreciate your opinions, and yes I know the ultimate decision would be mine

Travis104 · 06-09-2017, 07:57 PM

I also traded a 2012 2SS 45th anniversary with about 6k miles for a 13 ZL1. My SS had headers and an exhaust on it, but it was a different world going to a ZL1. I have since went to a 14 ZL1, and more mods.

A lot will depend on if you want to maintain a warranty. Out of the box, the ZL1 is pretty good, but they are easy to make Power with. You could upgrade your SS to match ZL1 performance, but have no warranty. My local dealers are horrible, and it is a nightmare dealing with them on warranty issues, and on a few occasions have broken Other parts on my vehicles. So that's part of why I upgraded the ZL1 also.

Can'tHave2MuchHP · 06-09-2017, 08:32 PM

Yes and no...yes you can make 580HP with an LS3 SS easily. 430 HP vs 580 HP is far from the difference between the two. No you'll never make an SS a ZL1. At least, not without spending retarded amounts of money to put ZL1 or better parts on an SS (Everything from magnetic suspension, heavy duty trans, rear end, clutches, axles and joints, big brakes, more aggressive looks etc.). And after all of that, it's still nothing but a souped up rental car. No offense. Sorry if that seemed harsh, it's probably a little over kill but you get the general idea.

And the LSA makes 750 wheel without breaking a sweat and the entire drivetrain can handle it for most drivers. Good luck running that on an SS for long

.

Definitely go for it if you can easily spare the cash. Big big big difference in the ZL1 vs an SS.

nighttowl · 06-09-2017, 09:23 PM

I spent 15k on mods for my SS before I jumped ship and bought the ZL1.
the cars are incomparable, the ZL1 is better in every way unless you are trying to save on fuel.

STUNNAH · 06-10-2017, 12:28 AM

If it were me I would do one of two options...I would keep the car I have and continue to work on it, while saving the monthly payment amount or trade into a 6th Gen ZL1 which may be more costly on the initial purchase but you would have warranty and all the latest tech...If you prefer the looks of the 5th Gen I would look at a later model that possibly has warranty left on it, low miles and all the features that you may want...Good luck with your decision...

Bosse'sBoss · 06-12-2017, 03:54 AM

Get the ZL1 and don't look back

RandyT · 07-01-2017, 10:44 PM

OK update, I pulled the trigger today and picked up a Summit White ZL1 and couldn't be happier with my decision.
Thanks all

Teakwo23 · 07-01-2017, 11:14 PM

excellent choice!

STUNNAH · 07-02-2017, 12:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RandyT

OK update, I pulled the trigger today and picked up a Summit White ZL1 and couldn't be happier with my decision.
Thanks all

What yr model, m or a, mileage...You got to do better with your update info...

Jackass · 07-02-2017, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by STUNNAH

What yr model, m or a, mileage...You got to do better with your update info...

Sure , Randy is driving that new tou of his , no time to respond

silversleeper · 07-02-2017, 02:24 PM

http://jalopnik.com/ex-employees-say...-ev-1778134112
I wouldn't suggest this route even though you have already made your decision others will read this thread while making a similar choice.
The other replies are good advice.
The ZL1 has so much more than just a supercharger slapped on a stock engine as some might think. It is far better (easier and cheaper with retained value) to buy a ZL1 than heavily mod an SS if that level of performance and comfort are what you are after. The ZL1 can be made to add on up to couple hundred hp with bolt ons.
I would say stay with the stock or near stock SS. If you want more hp a mild cam and emissions passing things for your area, maybe headers. With your stock SS shortblock it will be wrecked going twin turbo or supercharger and pushing lots of boost.
If you want more performance might as well step up to the ZL1, OR
Get a 6th gen SS, used is an option. It would be faster and better to get a used 6th SS than trying to dump the money in a 5th SS in my opinion.

RandyT · 07-02-2017, 04:39 PM

Sorry
2014 Summit White 14,988 for miles, wasn't sure I would like the color I loved my CRT but it's growing on me and it's a ZL! doesn't get much better than this

ZL1 Maniac · 07-02-2017, 04:51 PM

Sweet....

jrhagen · 07-02-2017, 05:48 PM

If it's a car to trade in a few years, you made the right choice. I bought as a toy and made it totally mine with mods, I will have until the day I die. It is, currently, perfect. Until I get the next mod bug.

06-09-2017, 07:11 PM	#1
RandyT Drives: 2014 ZL1 Summit White Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Boulder,Co Posts: 312	Pull the trigger or not? Hello, Looking at trading my 12 SS in on a 13 ZL1 with 8145 miles on her, mine has 20,000 miles. Mine is paid off and really like not having a payment but this is a ZL1 The other option would be to go the Lingenfelter route or Hennessey a cheaper option and still plenty of horsepower Would appreciate your opinions, and yes I know the ultimate decision would be mine Last edited by RandyT; 06-10-2017 at 10:27 AM.

06-09-2017, 09:23 PM	#4
nighttowl Sarcasm loading -------- Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Dec 2011 Location: TX Posts: 1,810 View My Garage	I spent 15k on mods for my SS before I jumped ship and bought the ZL1. the cars are incomparable, the ZL1 is better in every way unless you are trying to save on fuel. __________________ "The salesman actually told me to stop getting it sideways during the test drive" 2018 MBM ZL1 1LE - Stock 2014 CRT ZL1 574 rwhp, 537 rwtq - SOLD 2010 IBM SS Camaro VVT L99 w/ TR6060 swap, 489 rwhp, 444 rwtq - SOLD

06-10-2017, 12:28 AM	#5
STUNNAH "BEASTM*DE" Drives: 2013 ZL1 Black Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Tennessee Posts: 1,655 View My Garage	If it were me I would do one of two options...I would keep the car I have and continue to work on it, while saving the monthly payment amount or trade into a 6th Gen ZL1 which may be more costly on the initial purchase but you would have warranty and all the latest tech...If you prefer the looks of the 5th Gen I would look at a later model that possibly has warranty left on it, low miles and all the features that you may want...Good luck with your decision... __________________ Vengeance Racing Stage 1 Kit 575rwhp, 569 rwtq... Rims powder coated gloss black...BFG'S Comp 2 A/S... Dual 10" Kicker Comp S Subs 1200w...

06-12-2017, 03:54 AM	#6
Bosse'sBoss Drives: '16 Camaro SS 6 spd manual transm. Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: RGV Texas Posts: 1,463	Get the ZL1 and don't look back __________________ '16 Camaro SS Prior cars: '14 Corvette C7 Stingray Z51 '14 Camaro ZL1 w/. Recaro seats '11 Mustang GT 5.0 w. track package '02 Porsche 911 Carrera '05 Infiniti G35 coupe sport

07-01-2017, 11:14 PM	#8
Teakwo23 Drives: 2014 ZL1 M6 Join Date: May 2017 Location: Dunedin, FL Posts: 99	excellent choice! __________________ The Widow Maker 2014 ZL1, M6 Kooks LTs, Air Raid CAI, 2.55 upper pulley, D3 reservoir, Elite catch can, ID 850s, flex fuel, DMS auxiliary fuel pump, fasterproms tune

06-09-2017, 07:57 PM	#2
Travis104 Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: West Virginia Posts: 591	I also traded a 2012 2SS 45th anniversary with about 6k miles for a 13 ZL1. My SS had headers and an exhaust on it, but it was a different world going to a ZL1. I have since went to a 14 ZL1, and more mods. A lot will depend on if you want to maintain a warranty. Out of the box, the ZL1 is pretty good, but they are easy to make Power with. You could upgrade your SS to match ZL1 performance, but have no warranty. My local dealers are horrible, and it is a nightmare dealing with them on warranty issues, and on a few occasions have broken Other parts on my vehicles. So that's part of why I upgraded the ZL1 also.

06-09-2017, 08:32 PM	#3
Can'tHave2MuchHP Drives: Fast Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Michigan Posts: 3,696	Yes and no...yes you can make 580HP with an LS3 SS easily. 430 HP vs 580 HP is far from the difference between the two. No you'll never make an SS a ZL1. At least, not without spending retarded amounts of money to put ZL1 or better parts on an SS (Everything from magnetic suspension, heavy duty trans, rear end, clutches, axles and joints, big brakes, more aggressive looks etc.). And after all of that, it's still nothing but a souped up rental car. No offense. Sorry if that seemed harsh, it's probably a little over kill but you get the general idea. And the LSA makes 750 wheel without breaking a sweat and the entire drivetrain can handle it for most drivers. Good luck running that on an SS for long . Definitely go for it if you can easily spare the cash. Big big big difference in the ZL1 vs an SS.

07-01-2017, 10:44 PM	#7
RandyT Drives: 2014 ZL1 Summit White Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Boulder,Co Posts: 312	OK update, I pulled the trigger today and picked up a Summit White ZL1 and couldn't be happier with my decision. Thanks all

07-02-2017, 02:24 PM	#11
silversleeper Big Crow Drives: '13 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: California Posts: 1,489	http://jalopnik.com/ex-employees-say...-ev-1778134112 I wouldn't suggest this route even though you have already made your decision others will read this thread while making a similar choice. The other replies are good advice. The ZL1 has so much more than just a supercharger slapped on a stock engine as some might think. It is far better (easier and cheaper with retained value) to buy a ZL1 than heavily mod an SS if that level of performance and comfort are what you are after. The ZL1 can be made to add on up to couple hundred hp with bolt ons. I would say stay with the stock or near stock SS. If you want more hp a mild cam and emissions passing things for your area, maybe headers. With your stock SS shortblock it will be wrecked going twin turbo or supercharger and pushing lots of boost. If you want more performance might as well step up to the ZL1, OR Get a 6th gen SS, used is an option. It would be faster and better to get a used 6th SS than trying to dump the money in a 5th SS in my opinion.

07-02-2017, 04:39 PM	#12
RandyT Drives: 2014 ZL1 Summit White Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Boulder,Co Posts: 312	Sorry 2014 Summit White 14,988 for miles, wasn't sure I would like the color I loved my CRT but it's growing on me and it's a ZL! doesn't get much better than this Attached Images Last edited by RandyT; 07-02-2017 at 04:40 PM. Reason: added picture

07-02-2017, 04:51 PM	#13
ZL1 Maniac Drives: 2014 ZL1 Red Hot M6 Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Ohio Posts: 75	Sweet....

07-02-2017, 05:48 PM	#14
jrhagen Banned Drives: Camaro Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: USA Posts: 2,701	If it's a car to trade in a few years, you made the right choice. I bought as a toy and made it totally mine with mods, I will have until the day I die. It is, currently, perfect. Until I get the next mod bug.