[Maverick ZL1]

I'm was considering buying a ZL1 with a manual transmission due to its performance capabilities,
however during my car searches I found a low mileage LT1 Camaro at a very good price. $27,000.
It got me thinking maybe buy the LT1 and after driving it for a while and getting used to the performance and horsepower, adding a supercharger to it and getting almost ZL1 power at less than half the price.
Would be quite the sleeper.
Good or bad idea?
How much hp can the stock LT1 engine, clutch safely handle?
Money is not an issue.
I guess the question is, are the many differences/upgrades the ZL1 offers over the base LT1 worth it?
Any thoughts?

[2SS Capt]

Originally Posted by Maverick ZL1

I'm was considering buying a ZL1 with a manual transmission due to its performance capabilities,
however during my car searches I found a low mileage LT1 Camaro at a very good price. $27,000.
It got me thinking maybe buy the LT1 and after driving it for a while and getting used to the performance and horsepower, adding a supercharger to it and getting almost ZL1 power at less than half the price.
Would be quite the sleeper.
Good or bad idea?
How much hp can the stock LT1 engine, clutch safely handle?
Money is not an issue.
I guess the question is, are the many differences/upgrades the ZL1 offers over the base LT1 worth it?
Any thoughts?

If "Money is not an issue" the ZL-1 and a base LT-1 are NIGHT and DAY different... By all means, get the ZL-1... If you are just looking for something with a V8 to play around with and not spend a lot, the LT-1 would be a good choice... But may need some upgrades to handle the power (wider wheels/tires, perhaps suspension upgrades...)

Basically the LT-1 is the V-6 car with a V-8 dropped in it, but nothing else...

If you want something in the middle, grab a nice 1SS or 2SS... You'll get some great handling, performance (cooling, etc) and ride upgrades without going full steam into a ZL-1...

[bishopts]

i was thinking of this today. a ZL1 vs a SS with a supercharger. would they be close enough in power that either would be a solid choice? i know the ZL1 has an upgraded fuel system compared to the SS and i feel like ive read the compression ratio is lower on the ZL1.

but also im no sure how you guys drive the ZL1 on the streets... my SS already feel like a monster, i couldnt imagine having another 200+ hp and trying to get it to grab.

[2SS Capt]

Originally Posted by bishopts

i was thinking of this today. a ZL1 vs a SS with a supercharger. would they be close enough in power that either would be a solid choice? i know the ZL1 has an upgraded fuel system compared to the SS and i feel like ive read the compression ratio is lower on the ZL1.

but also im no sure how you guys drive the ZL1 on the streets... my SS already feel like a monster, i couldnt imagine having another 200+ hp and trying to get it to grab.

Exactly, was considering a ZL1 as I loved the front end and hood, but knowing I would never track it and after driving an SS and having to let off after 5-6 seconds before going to jail, I personally couldn't justify the extra $20,000+ for the extra 200HP... (4.0 sec 0-60 vs 3.5 sec 0-60) Anything else that matters is on the track... Don't get me wrong, I love the ZL-1, but I feel if you aren't tracking it you are probably paying for something you aren't really going to be able to enjoy...

But that's just my opinion...

[NYTMARE23]

Originally Posted by 2SS Capt

Exactly, was considering a ZL1 as I loved the front end and hood, but knowing I would never track it and after driving an SS and having to let off after 5-6 seconds before going to jail, I personally couldn't justify the extra $20,000+ for the extra 200HP... (4.0 sec 0-60 vs 3.5 sec 0-60) Anything else that matters is on the track... Don't get me wrong, I love the ZL-1, but I feel if you aren't tracking it you are probably paying for something you aren't really going to be able to enjoy...

But that's just my opinion...

Agree with what you're saying for the most part.. I ALWAYS wanted a Camaro since I was 16 years old, but my life direction(joining the military/getting out), odd jobs, bills, etc(life in general) prevented me from owning one. FINALLY at age 44 and with my wife's blessing she let me order my dream Camaro. I knew it would never be a daily and never be on the track, but I also knew if I was going to get one, it was going to be the top trim available which was the ZL1 for me. I'll most likely never "use" the 650hp alot but it sure is nice to have and alot of fun when I feel like being "spirited"...and it's safe to do so. SS's are ABSOLUTELY nice cars and great values as well, but to me at the time, it was "go big" or nothing since it was my first ever and most likely my ONLY Camaro I'll ever own. I also feel $67,000 for my brand new ZL1(at the time I got it) was best "bang for buck" high horsepower car available at that time between the "Big 3". DEFINITELY happy with my choice, even though it's only got 1,069 miles on it as it sits right now.

[coffeelover]

Shortly after I got my 21 2SS 1LE Manual in Fall 2024, a local Nissan dealer had a 23 ZL1 manual which was offered about $25,000 more than I paid.
I thought about it but the 2SS has plenty of power and it is my daily. I have been happy with my choice and as other's said, unless you are tracking then the SS is plenty quick for the street.


I would suggest going for a 2SS instead of a LT. Some are fine with the 1SS but the 2SS adds safety and convenience features which should have been standard in 2021 I think.


my thoughts anyhow,


Patrick

[His ZL1]

I decided I wanted a new Camaro one last time before that option disappeared. I chose to part with my low mileage 5th gen ZL1 to make room for one. I decided to drop down to an SS for multiple cost reasons (insurance, fuel, etc.). Also, the ZL1, even at 580 HP, was more than enough power for the street. As much as I wanted to indulge myself, I went with an SS. Beside that, manual trans ZL1s were next to non-existent.

The SS performs great as a street car. The ZL1 requires restraint to drive on the street. If you can practice restraint yourself, the ZL1 gives you an option when you get the urge to use the power. My daily is a turbo 1LE which I enjoy every time I drive it.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Maverick ZL1

I'm was considering buying a ZL1 with a manual transmission due to its performance capabilities,
however during my car searches I found a low mileage LT1 Camaro at a very good price. $27,000.
It got me thinking maybe buy the LT1 and after driving it for a while and getting used to the performance and horsepower, adding a supercharger to it and getting almost ZL1 power at less than half the price.
Would be quite the sleeper.
Good or bad idea?
How much hp can the stock LT1 engine, clutch safely handle?
Money is not an issue.
I guess the question is, are the many differences/upgrades the ZL1 offers over the base LT1 worth it?
Any thoughts?

Originally Posted by bishopts

i was thinking of this today. a ZL1 vs a SS with a supercharger. would they be close enough in power that either would be a solid choice? i know the ZL1 has an upgraded fuel system compared to the SS and i feel like ive read the compression ratio is lower on the ZL1.

but also im no sure how you guys drive the ZL1 on the streets... my SS already feel like a monster, i couldnt imagine having another 200+ hp and trying to get it to grab.

There is definitely an allure to these sleeper builds. To make them work and have some longevity, however, you can't just slap a supercharger on the LT1, you need to address the fuel system differences between the LT1 and the LT4 (low side, high side, injectors). Also, E85 is a great choice with this platform, very cheap to get because GM made the engine and the fuel system compatible (thanks James ), one just needs a sensor, a single added pin in a connector and a small tune.

Compression ratio on the LT1 engine is 11.5:1 whilte the LT4 is 10:1, so the LT4 will resist fueling deficiencies better.

The LT1 trim is also dumbed down compared to, say, the 2SS, although at least it does have the proper engine and transmission (the TR-6060 instead of the less capable TR-3160 in the non-V8 trims). However, not only does it come with plastic literally everyhwere in the interior, the 1990s style gauge cluster, the small radio with crap audio, missing most convenience and safety gizmos, it doesn't even have proper rear brakes. Its exterior differences vs the SS or the ZL1 are subjective, so I won't talk about that. Overall, these points indicate that a ZL1 would be the better choice even in terms of value if money isn't an issue.

On the other hand, to me it has been extremely satisfying to start with an SS and add power in stages, it's like getting a new powertrain every time, which also allowed me to get used to the extra power (wasn't a cheap route though, because I can't do most of the work to the quality level I'd expect, so I had it built by Jannetty Racing who are professionals coming in at an appropriate rate). The tune I'm running is also extremely good, it makes even the 8L90 trans shine.

The extra rear wheel horsepower I have (+150 hp compared to the stock ZL1, +350 compared to the stock SS, roughyl speaking) is rarely usable on the street indeed, but that doesn't mean the car is undrivable. It has a true Jekyll and Hyde personality, the monster sleeps most of the time, but when it awakes, the smile it puts on my face is priceless

[HankVA]

If you're planning on beating on it; taking it to the track, etc., I recommend going with a ZL1. I've talked to a few instructors that went the SS route, added a supercharger, and found that the car was overheating after being pushed hard for a while on track.

Maybe they skipped a step and didn't add additional cooling, I don't know. But, if you're able to swing it, the upgraded internals and cooling of the ZL1 would be better for you in the long run.

[vince3]

Originally Posted by Maverick ZL1

I'm was considering buying a ZL1 with a manual transmission due to its performance capabilities,
however during my car searches I found a low mileage LT1 Camaro at a very good price. $27,000.
It got me thinking maybe buy the LT1 and after driving it for a while and getting used to the performance and horsepower, adding a supercharger to it and getting almost ZL1 power at less than half the price.
Would be quite the sleeper.
Good or bad idea?
How much hp can the stock LT1 engine, clutch safely handle?
Money is not an issue.
I guess the question is, are the many differences/upgrades the ZL1 offers over the base LT1 worth it?
Any thoughts?

Get the LT1, it's the best value, and it's the lightest. You won't find a better deal than 27k if it's a clean title and decent shape, so just do it.

I'm not an expert, but Supercharger is fine, but not much else if you go that route. I think some say 600 rwhp is fine? Maybe a little higher with the toohighpsi. Compression and stock cam aren't the greatest, so beyond that you would need to change that.

I know the stock clutch can handle a decent amount if you go FBO, but not sure beyond that. I think the clutch starts to have issues when it gets hot, so once I do something like a 1/4 mile run, I let it cool.

Is the upgrade to the Zl1 worth it over the LT1? If you are like me and hate leather seats and extra options and the issues they might bring, NO. The ZL1 price range is way out there, and if I'm looking at 70K plus, I'm going C7Z06.

If I had to start over, I'd still pick the LT1, followed by a C7 1LT M7, and then a 1SS M6. The only thing different I wish I could change about my car is the sunroof. I didn't want it, and the extra 27lbs is something that aggravates me. People underestimate how much weight makes a difference, and when you look at an LT1 M6 vs something like a 2SS auto, it's probably 200lbs plus.

[LTfun]

LT1 owner here. The biggest limiting factors (IMO) are the compression ratio (if you want to go boosted) and the lack of Brembos on the rear. For a street car or drag car the rear Brembos are not an issue and may even be preferred for clearance with a small rear wheel like a drag back setup. The compression ratio means if you want to make big power you will eventually need to open the engine up but then again I guess that could always be true, if you want to do Cams etc. To try an make a long story short for a street car the LT1 may exactly what you are looking for. For example I might not even try to copy the LT4 fuel setup and instead add port injection, a combination that a lot modern performance cars are doing. Mixing port and direct injection has a lot of benefits IMO. You could really be different by doing a mild turbo setup rather than a SC. Either way you're going to have to limit boost and will probably be capped around 6 or 700 hp depending on a plethora of variables. But you could score some really solid area under the curve and have a motor with an excellent power band. However if you want this car to be track capable (not talking about the drag strip) I'd go with the ZL1.

[m6-lt1]

Originally Posted by coffeelover

Shortly after I got my 21 2SS 1LE Manual in Fall 2024, a local Nissan dealer had a 23 ZL1 manual which was offered about $25,000 more than I paid.
I thought about it but the 2SS has plenty of power and it is my daily. I have been happy with my choice and as other's said, unless you are tracking then the SS is plenty quick for the street.


I would suggest going for a 2SS instead of a LT. Some are fine with the 1SS but the 2SS adds safety and convenience features which should have been standard in 2021 I think.


my thoughts anyhow,

Patrick

Man I wish I felt this way, but I personally feel my SS 1LE is way too slow for how good the chassis and wheel and tire setup is. I think it’s partly because I’ve had LT1 power for 6 years now.

For everyone saying you can’t use a ZL1 on the street, I’ll counter with it depends where you live. Where I live, there’s empty stretches to use it and I wish I had went the ZL1 route.

Op, get the ZL1 if you want big power. It will be far more reliable than supercharging the LT1. Also the LT1 has limitations to how much boost it can handle on pump 93. It’s not the best engine imo for boosting without building it.

[KingLT1]

You can supercharge a LT1 and get great results if you run good fuel and not pump gas. Ideally the LT1 engine needs an Ethanol blend (due to the high compression) and then you can make some steam(650-700whp) and easily outperform a stock ZL1.

That being said the ZL1 is still the better car with a much stronger bottom end, diff, driveshaft, axles, and better brakes. Can easily push them to 800-850whp reliably. If it's in your budget, then just go that route.

[vince3]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

Man I wish I felt this way, but I personally feel my SS 1LE is way too slow for how good the chassis and wheel and tire setup is. I think it’s partly because I’ve had LT1 power for 6 years now.

For everyone saying you can’t use a ZL1 on the street, I’ll counter with it depends where you live. Where I live, there’s empty stretches to use it and I wish I had went the ZL1 route.

Op, get the ZL1 if you want big power. It will be far more reliable than supercharging the LT1. Also the LT1 has limitations to how much boost it can handle on pump 93. It’s not the best engine imo for boosting without building it.

I also don't get the people saying their stock cars feel fast. These things are slow stock. If I had a ZL1, it would also feel slow stock too.