[reeper]

Here is a post I started months ago on the subject. Pretty decent detailed info on comparison of the 2 cars and 2SS conversion. For as cheap as some of the 2016's went for you could do a whole conversion and have plenty of cash left for problems. You can't compare MSRP to MSRP yet because the 2016' and probably the 2017's 2SS and 1SS have been deeply discounted vs ZL1's which have not beenn

[datboi448]

The very last day of the year is the best day to buy a car, because it gets the dealership that one last sale before the new year to boost their numbers. You can find some of the biggest discounts then

[Joe's_cool_1le]

Originally Posted by laynlo15

I supercharged mine and love it, bigger supercharger then the zl1 (2.3 compared to 1.7) and much more room to grow and 20k cheaper.

Throwing the 2.9 Whipple on my 1LE! LOL I pee farther!

[Fraxum]

Already seeing ZL1s in the mid $50s. Not much more than a A8 SS with lots of add ons.

https://www.cars.com/for-sale/search...rchSource=SORT

[mariojmoe]

imho (not bragging) I know for sure I'm faster than a Zl1 (ported Lt4 heads, cam, blower with upper and lower pulleys, fully forged, headers , exhaust,cai, etc) and am wayyyyy cheaper than a Zl1. I love my car as it sits and I saved at least 15k I'm sure vs a stock Zl1. No brainer here

[Fraxum]

Originally Posted by mariojmoe

imho (not bragging) I know for sure I'm faster than a Zl1 (ported Lt4 heads, cam, blower with upper and lower pulleys, fully forged, headers , exhaust,cai, etc) and am wayyyyy cheaper than a Zl1. I love my car as it sits and I saved at least 15k I'm sure vs a stock Zl1. No brainer here

Really, with a $57K ZL1 you only have $42K on your car?

[Stoner]

I'm a bit confused by the numbers here. I went to the GM site and built a fully loaded 2SS with a lot of the stuff that come on the ZL1. The price was in the high 50's. By the time you add the supercharger, all the extra cooling, tune, etc, you would have at least as much as a new ZL1.

[Joe's_cool_1le]

Yeah. I'm not sure on the cost of a fully loaded 2SS which is what the OP was asking. So my below numbers aren't the same but I'll still add for my build.

42Kish OTD 2017 1LE
$7195 Whipple
$140 Freight
$1250 Install
$750 Tuning
$60 Shop Supplies
$400 Tax

$9795
$1000ish for new fabricated airbox
$52795ish?
Keep in mind that comes with some extra goodies for the 1LE package but still way under what I've truly seen Zl1's being sold for.

On a side note though - Peace of mind with the ZL1 having a warranty? But then that means the person getting the ZL1 would never ever ever mod it. I do like to play!

[draph]

I absolutely fault no one for wanting more power and performance, and I can empathize with people who get accustomed to big power and can understand when 455hp just might not feel strong enough for the daily commute; but when deciding between a 2SS and a ZL1, IMHO, you are now in the zone of considering the trade-offs toward your primary and secondary uses of the car, and that involves more than just how much you spend on purchase price, guzzler tax, insurance premiums, fuel, maintenance, and speeding tickets. The wider ZL1 tires that contribute to the awesome 1.0+ g of lateral grip are probably more prone to hydroplaning than the 275s on the 2SS, and they are noisier. The ZL1 MRC/Suspension tune is stiffer. So, for a daily commuter, expect rougher, noisier commute compromise in return for the better track performance, and the commute in the rain might be a little more perilous depending on how well your locality's roads drain and prevent puddling of the water. Then there's the frustration of having all that power and not being able to use it unless you're willing to risk your license...with a 6MT ZL1, I imagine you can run it up to redline in 1st, and just get started in second, and your pretty much 20mph over the highway speed limit by then...in the realm of "reckless driving endangering other motorists" that can get you into serious trouble.

So, for me, while the ZL1 is very tempting and in my realm of affordability, I think a 2SS presents to better set of trade-offs if the primary use is daily commuting while still having the flavor of "American muscle car". Note the "American muscle car flavor" is an underlying rule here, or my arguments could be taken and twisted by my spouse to make me end up in a Honda CRV..;-L

[Mr. Wyndham]

The problem with this discussion is the same as it's always been...and repeated numerous times....

The ZL1 is everything. It is max handling...it is max HP...it is max "luxury"; within the Camaro world.

So, if you don't want one of those three characteristics, then yes: it's not hard to build up your own car. But I will argue it won't feel as well put-together as the ZL1 does, whatever the "equal" mods are. After all, anyone can take a 1SS, 2SS, or 1SS/1LE and toss a $7500 supercharger + tune on there. But it will not be as reliable as a ZL1, hp for hp. And of course, that's reflected in the missing warranty....

And you've also got to remember that although the ZL1 and 1LE share similar chassis/suspension equipment, they've been calibrated separately for each car.

I love seeing folks play around with their cars, so don't get me wrong - everyone has their own taste and goals...it just makes my eye twitch when I read something about "making a ZL1 for cheaper", as though it were that simple.

[mariojmoe]

Originally Posted by Fraxum

Really, with a $57K ZL1 you only have $42K on your car?

I won't get into details about how much I paid for my car but rest assured (no bs) I am at a minimum 12K under a bare bones Zl1.

My supercharger and heads were pretty much a freebee for me (buddy bought a new Z06 and swapped his out immediately) and gave me his for yes free. Labor is a very reputable shop that happens to be a very good friend of mine as well (lucky for me), so labor is a total of 2500.00 for s/c install, building and balancing motor, clutch install, cam install, and obviously re-assembly and installation. Tune is another 800.00, cai is 500, heat exchanger was 250.00 I believe. My cam kit with truniun upgrade, springs, timing chain, lifters, gaskets, and other what not was 2100.00. Lp/fp was 280.00. The most expensive parts were the lower balancer with ring (765.00), and headers and exhaust (1800).

I might actually not be 15k on the head but I'm not far off (12k+ saved)

[Joe's_cool_1le]

I can definitely understand peoples different points of view on this topic. I totally respect the ZL1 and think it's an awesome car, and even for the money IMHO. Great discussion!

[Joe's_cool_1le]

"Sort" of reminds me of when I bought my truck back in 2012. Cough *Ford* I wanted the 6.7 diesel for pulling my 5th wheel and could have just gotten the barebones F250 but wanted all the creature comforts with F350 Lariat which was over 20k more.

[mariojmoe]

Originally Posted by Joe's_cool_1le

"Sort" of reminds me of when I bought my truck back in 2012. Cough *Ford* I wanted the 6.7 diesel for pulling my 5th wheel and could have just gotten the barebones F250 but wanted all the creature comforts with F350 Lariat which was over 20k more.

Yup, I was with you 100%! Sold mine 2 months ago lol.