[hotlap]

Originally Posted by Faster12

I had to skip everybody responses just so I could say my peace! Lol. I'm absolutely floored that you guys kept feeding that troll. It's really pointless to state the obvious time and time again. Chevy wasn't competing with the hellcat or the mustang. Maybe in sales, but for the last two generations they have not even compared in performance metrics. The ZL1 set its sights on the M in 2012 and never looked back. This car is light years ahead of both the mustang and hellcat in total performance. This car did exactly what Chevy intended it to do and that would be considered a success, it's really that simple.

Chevy has its own definition of performance and it's more than roll racing or just drag racing.

[John Hennessey]

Here are a few more thoughts on this subject:

1. We only had a manual Hellcat available. We tried to find a local HC with manual but didn't get any takers. So we just ran with what we had, auto vs manual.

2. Stock ZL1 manual vs HC auto = ZL1 loss every time. I do think that the ZL1 auto runs even with or slightly edges the HC auto. I am sure we will see this race from one of the magazines soon as they will get a ZL1 auto before the public does.

3. We could have run them from a dig but I believe that there would have been a lot more haters crying about the results from one side or the other. A side by side dig race would have been even harder as reaction time would have factored in. The roll on race tells the story as both cars would have issues hooking up from a dig on street tires with full air pressure.

4. I own the ZL1 and really am impressed with the overall car. The ZL1 is a sports car whereas the HC is a big living room couch with a jet engine. Both are very fast and fun to drive. HC super comfy cruiser but the size and weight are significant. ZL1 feels tight, light, balanced but it does feel smaller.

5. ZL1 seats are comfortable and supportive. I like the shifter a lot. Car sounds good, not as loud as the Gen5 ZL1. Brakes are great.

6. Would like to get ZL1 on road course. It will be way faster than HC on road course. It may give the GT350 a hard time on a road course. But don't expect ZL1 to beat GT350 by much, if it does win on a road course. GT350 is true road race weapon even with less power.

7. Overall, what other car offers this much power, performance, practicality for the money? It runs very close to the Z06 Corvette from a roll, has 4 seats and a trunk. If Cadillac offered a CTS-V 2-door coupe it would be this car but it would cost $100k. Its a tremendous bang for the buck and looks great, especially in the front.

8. Expect to see approx. 100 rwhp gains with tune, intake, pulley and headers for around $5k worth of parts. At this power level, the all-in performance value becomes unmatched.

The Camaro team has outdone themselves with the new ZL1. It's a world-class sports car.

[jjsc6]

Originally Posted by 396ssrat

I see cars weekly kiss the guard rails on stock tires. I hate to see that. The drivers of these cars think all one has to do is mash the gas and go but it's not that simple. Stock tires will get you in trouble if you aren't careful. I've done this thing for a while and still respect the dangers involved. Last thing I want to do is have to buy sheet metal for my car. I want the car to stick and go straight, as fast as it can. And my junk is a dinosaur by comparison to the ZL1. Now tht the ZL1 and the HC can pair up, it would be wise to be on your game if you choose to take on the HC. Nothing I'd like to see more than a ZL1 hand the HC it's backside. When that does happen we'll some people dumping their Hellcats.

Amen. I first drag raced at 48 years old. I went through several Corvettes from 2001-2009. I didn't seriously drag race but thought I'd give it a try and then wanted to run everyone I had a couple of times to see what they and me could do. I ran a 2001, 2003 two 2005s and a 2008. All manuals. And I got pretty good in a short time. Then I bought a 2009 Z06. For exactly the reasons you mentioned I never took it to the strip. With that much power I didn't like the thought of wadding it up in a manner that insurance may not cover. There was just not much to prove or gain at that point.

[hotlap]

Originally Posted by John Hennessey

Here are a few more thoughts on this subject:

1. We only had a manual Hellcat available. We tried to find a local HC with manual but didn't get any takers. So we just ran with what we had, auto vs manual.

2. Stock ZL1 manual vs HC auto = ZL1 loss every time. I do think that the ZL1 auto runs even with or slightly edges the HC auto. I am sure we will see this race from one of the magazines soon as they will get a ZL1 auto before the public does.

3. We could have run them from a dig but I believe that there would have been a lot more haters crying about the results from one side or the other. A side by side dig race would have been even harder as reaction time would have factored in. The roll on race tells the story as both cars would have issues hooking up from a dig on street tires with full air pressure.

4. I own the ZL1 and really am impressed with the overall car. The ZL1 is a sports car whereas the HC is a big living room couch with a jet engine. Both are very fast and fun to drive. HC super comfy cruiser but the size and weight are significant. ZL1 feels tight, light, balanced but it does feel smaller.

5. ZL1 seats are comfortable and supportive. I like the shifter a lot. Car sounds good, not as loud as the Gen5 ZL1. Brakes are great.

6. Would like to get ZL1 on road course. It will be way faster than HC on road course. It may give the GT350 a hard time on a road course. But don't expect ZL1 to beat GT350 by much, if it does win on a road course. GT350 is true road race weapon even with less power.

7. Overall, what other car offers this much power, performance, practicality for the money? It runs very close to the Z06 Corvette from a roll, has 4 seats and a trunk. If Cadillac offered a CTS-V 2-door coupe it would be this car but it would cost $100k. Its a tremendous bang for the buck and looks great, especially in the front.

8. Expect to see approx. 100 rwhp gains with tune, intake, pulley and headers for around $5k worth of parts. At this power level, the all-in performance value becomes unmatched.

The Camaro team has outdone themselves with the new ZL1. It's a world-class sports car.

Thank you for the feedback John Hennessey. I agree that team Camaro has outdone themselves and their priorities are evident in the entire line. V6 1LE, track capable SS, more track capable 1LE SS, ZL1. They aimed high and hit a performance bulls-eye

[DrkPhx]

It would have nice to see the ZL1 driver use the No Lift Shift feature on the ZL1; it may or may not have changed the outcome but your driver was taking way too long to shift.

3. We could have run them from a dig but I believe that there would have been a lot more haters crying about the results from one side or the other. A side by side dig race would have been even harder as reaction time would have factored in. The roll on race tells the story as both cars would have issues hooking up from a dig on street tires with full air pressure.

It would have been great had you taken them to a bona fide 1/4 mi track to settle that outcome but you're right; the mags will probably have countless side by side comparisons on the two cars.

[17CamaroZL1]

Originally Posted by John Hennessey

Here are a few more thoughts on this subject:

1. We only had a manual Hellcat available. We tried to find a local HC with manual but didn't get any takers. So we just ran with what we had, auto vs manual.

2. Stock ZL1 manual vs HC auto = ZL1 loss every time. I do think that the ZL1 auto runs even with or slightly edges the HC auto. I am sure we will see this race from one of the magazines soon as they will get a ZL1 auto before the public does.

3. We could have run them from a dig but I believe that there would have been a lot more haters crying about the results from one side or the other. A side by side dig race would have been even harder as reaction time would have factored in. The roll on race tells the story as both cars would have issues hooking up from a dig on street tires with full air pressure.

4. I own the ZL1 and really am impressed with the overall car. The ZL1 is a sports car whereas the HC is a big living room couch with a jet engine. Both are very fast and fun to drive. HC super comfy cruiser but the size and weight are significant. ZL1 feels tight, light, balanced but it does feel smaller.

5. ZL1 seats are comfortable and supportive. I like the shifter a lot. Car sounds good, not as loud as the Gen5 ZL1. Brakes are great.

6. Would like to get ZL1 on road course. It will be way faster than HC on road course. It may give the GT350 a hard time on a road course. But don't expect ZL1 to beat GT350 by much, if it does win on a road course. GT350 is true road race weapon even with less power.

7. Overall, what other car offers this much power, performance, practicality for the money? It runs very close to the Z06 Corvette from a roll, has 4 seats and a trunk. If Cadillac offered a CTS-V 2-door coupe it would be this car but it would cost $100k. Its a tremendous bang for the buck and looks great, especially in the front.

8. Expect to see approx. 100 rwhp gains with tune, intake, pulley and headers for around $5k worth of parts. At this power level, the all-in performance value becomes unmatched.

The Camaro team has outdone themselves with the new ZL1. It's a world-class sports car.

I really appreciate the write up, and most of all, the videos! Keep them coming!

I agree with most of what you're saying. You're right on. #3 is the only part I sort of disagree with. I feel you should've ran them from a dig and a roll to be totally fair and tell the whole story. Yeah, if all you want to do is compare the best power to weight ratio, then the roll race is all you need, but some are more curious about 1/4 mile results. A roll race is always an advantage for a car with more weight and/or higher power and/or traction issues, all of which the HC has. It also doesn't matter if it's a dig or a roll race, reaction time is always a factor. The first one to hit has the advantage. Just doing one or the other has the one being put at the biggest disadvantage crying the most, unless their car wins anyway, lol. That said, I doubt the outcome would be any different from a dig with those particular cars, but you never know until you try. I hope you find a stock manual HC willing to throw down, or we'll be waiting a while for the auto Z.

[Diggitydog]

Thanks for the write up John Hennessey. I think you addressed in the video a lot of the unbalanced portions of the matchup. Reaction time is a factor on both dig and roll races though as mentioned.

I like the production quality and content of your videos, keep them coming. I usually watch the ZL1 vids a couple times each and I'm pretty busy. I'm also very excited about what GM has done with the Camaro this gen. They have to be planning some major enhancements in the Corvette family because these top line Camaros are crushing it.

Keep it coming!

[JulesWinnfield]

Originally Posted by 17 White ZL1

This vid is a joke oh that's why it's ( Hennessey)
this vid is so obviously stupid in the way they were shifting the 6 speed so know the Hennessey team can tune the ZL1 and then say after there tune the ZL1 will beat a Hellcat

Hellcat is faster. Calm down, bro.

[Raven87]

Should have raced them from a dig and manual vs manual. Looking forward to more vids of comparable cars (manual vs manual, auto vs auto).

The vid didn't rally prove a lot other than that the HC will definitely pull the ZL1 from a roll - with these two cars on this particular day. Even if the ZL1 driver used no lift shift, etc, the HC was pulling away even when the ZL1 driver was not shifting.

Not by much but definitely some.

The HC is a beast. I can't wait to see them head to head with both being autos.

[newmoon]

Originally Posted by Raven87

Should have raced them from a dig and manual vs manual. Looking forward to more vids of comparable cars (manual vs manual, auto vs auto).

The vid didn't rally prove a lot other than that the HC will definitely pull the ZL1 from a roll - with these two cars on this particular day. Even if the ZL1 driver used no lift shift, etc, the HC was pulling away even when the ZL1 driver was not shifting.

Not by much but definitely some.

The HC is a beast. I can't wait to see them head to head with both being autos.

ZL1 Auto vs Hellcat Charger is the race to see. The Charger is faster than the Challenger.

[URBAN LEGEND]

Originally Posted by newmoon

ZL1 Auto vs Hellcat Charger is the race to see. The Charger is faster than the Challenger.

Just what we needed. A new variable. Then people will say it's the wrong color.

[big dave]

The hp difference between these 2 cars is more significant than their manufacturer ratings. He said the manual ZL1 made almost 570 rwhp, and the hellcat made 640 through an auto. 70 hp difference. What will the hc dyno through a manual...660? Unless their auto transmissions are super efficient, there's no way those cars are making the power they claim. Either way, good race though.

[newmoon]

Originally Posted by URBAN LEGEND

Just what we needed. A new variable. Then people will say it's the wrong color.

Dodge says 11:00s and 204-mph for the Charger, 11:20s and 199 for the Challenger

[John Hennessey]

In our experience, the Hellcat Challengers are slightly quicker than the Chargers. At least to 150 mph.