[TX18ZL1]

Originally Posted by jjgi5150

TX18ZL1,

My ‘22 ZLE has a few important (to me) upgrades over my ‘18 ZLE. I’ll list them below.

1. Much better oil pressure than the ‘18. Consistently higher and more stable across all the RPM ranges.
2. Improved engine management ECU settings. Smoother off-idle transition, running leaner with no over-rich black soot exhaust tips, plus a noticeable gas mileage increase.
3. Lost the home link but a real improvement with the wireless Bluetooth for Apple Car Play.
4. Lost the pre-loaded GPS, now deferring to the super shitty On-Star “pay for it” GPS, which I do not enroll in. instead I’m using the Apple Car Play GPS mapping for free.
5. Same GREAT TR6060 manual trans and suspension system.
6. My Cali sold ‘22 has the copper free brake system and I find no negatives with that over the ‘18’s brakes.
7. Overall power performance seems to be the same, perhaps a bit better in the ‘22 since the ECU improvements.

My ZLE is a street driven car. I do not track it, but still enjoy the tight suspension and great power delivery it offers for weekend trips to the mountains.

In my opinion, with my ‘22 anyway, there are subtle but good improvements. I no longer stress about taking a drive up the mountains and out of nowhere having an oil pump failure.

I’m very happy with my ‘22 and feel lucky to have found it. I was contemplating getting a new C8 Z06, but ridiculous Chevy price gouging and limited availability destroyed that thought. I’ll be keeping this ZLE as my final street performance car.

Take care,

JJ

Thanks JJ! Very thorough response - I will be sure to carefully analyze those details - the wireless apple car play would be great - that is one thing I find annoying in my '18. Thank you!

[TX18ZL1]

Originally Posted by ZLE dude

What everyone else said.... plus for 2019+ = no homelink (built in garage door openers), round style tail lights (I like my 2018 tails), red seat belts are an option (not standard on 1LE's anymore), rear view camera comes standard, automatic transmission was an option for 1LE's, and a slightly better infotainment system, but no actual performance differences

Agreed on the tail lights - I prefer the more angular look as well

[ZLE dude]

Originally Posted by TX18ZL1

Thanks JJ! Very thorough response - I will be sure to carefully analyze those details - the wireless apple car play would be great - that is one thing I find annoying in my '18. Thank you!

Regarding your wireless apple car play issue.....I've found a cheaper option for wireless apple carplay that so far works like a champ. They sell this bluetooth/wireless adapter that plugs into the car usb (inside the armrest) and connects to your phone using bluetooth and it works just as well as having the phone cable plugged in. No lag, no intermittent issues if the cable gets bumped (which was my main issue) and so far after using it for around 4 months I'm loving it. For 120 bucks it's a lot cheaper than any other option to attain wireless carplay in an older camaro. It took 5-10 mins to get setup, but now it connects up automatically and has carplay displayed within 20 seconds of me backing out of the garage. You can also add multiple phones to the adapter so different phones can be displayed if you have more than one running carplay.

https://cplay2air.com/

[Dave777]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

No performance differences since 2017.

Very disappointing to see the Camaro die a slow death and nothing done to compete against a GT500.

Most new ZL1 buyers would not hesitate to spend more for 120 extra horsepower from the factory.

[Vigilante375]

Originally Posted by Dave777

Very disappointing to see the Camaro die a slow death and nothing done to compete against a GT500.

Most new ZL1 buyers would not hesitate to spend more for 120 extra horsepower from the factory.

Well the ZL1 was used as a base for the new GT500. Plus the new GT500 had plenty of years to make up the difference and the ZL1 is how much less than a GT500? So I calling the lesser price a win win for ZL1 owners.

If GM has upped the performance then we'd see a price to equal that upgrade.

[Z OH 6]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

Well the ZL1 was used as a base for the new GT500. Plus the new GT500 had plenty of years to make up the difference and the ZL1 is how much less than a GT500? So I calling the lesser price a win win for ZL1 owners.

If GM has upped the performance then we'd see a price to equal that upgrade.

Agreed, I paid 69k for my fully loaded ZL1. I thought hard about buying a GT500 but the price difference between the two made my decision easy. I was able to buy my ZL1, drop around 10k in mods and it will destroy a GT500 on the drag strip or road course and I'm in it for considerably less than a GT500. The downside is that I honestly see the GT500 appreciating in value quite a bit over the coming years.

[JBones81]

RS3s are no joke

They're totally different animals, but the rs3 is way more enjoyable to drive overall. The zl1 satisfies me in a different way

[USAFS197]

Originally Posted by JBones81

RS3s are no joke

They're totally different animals, but the rs3 is way more enjoyable to drive overall. The zl1 satisfies me in a different way

Yeah. Lots of folks completely underestimate them. While I'm confident that there are faster cars out there, ZL1s included, it would have to be a pretty heavily modified one to be quicker in the 60-130 range than my TT RS or my wife's RS3. I'm not super willing to gut my car but, there's dudes out there that have, with the same hybrid I'm running and they're comfortably in the 8's w/ mid 3-second 60-130's.

[HemiDave]

I believe the exhaust note is also different creating more "pops and bangs" on the 2019 and up ZL1's due to a different tune.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=563293

[jjgi5150]

Originally Posted by HemiDave

I believe the exhaust note is also different creating more "pops and bangs" on the 2019 and up ZL1's due to a different tune.

https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=563293

HemiDave,

I believe you are correct with that thought. I pulled the NPP fuse in my ‘18 ZLE, and even with the Green air filter and TM throttle body, it still ran very rich. It did pop and burble, but not as much as my new ‘22 ZLE (totally stock with just a Green air filter and NPP fuse pulled). I believe it is a more refined factory tune, as the mileage is also improved noticeably and NO filthy black soot exhaust tips.

The ‘22 just seems to be a bit more refined overall. FWIW, I would sure love to have a set of 3.90 rear gears in this car. That would put it over the top for me.

JJ

[TX18ZL1]

Originally Posted by ZLE dude

Regarding your wireless apple car play issue.....I've found a cheaper option for wireless apple carplay that so far works like a champ. They sell this bluetooth/wireless adapter that plugs into the car usb (inside the armrest) and connects to your phone using bluetooth and it works just as well as having the phone cable plugged in. No lag, no intermittent issues if the cable gets bumped (which was my main issue) and so far after using it for around 4 months I'm loving it. For 120 bucks it's a lot cheaper than any other option to attain wireless carplay in an older camaro. It took 5-10 mins to get setup, but now it connects up automatically and has carplay displayed within 20 seconds of me backing out of the garage. You can also add multiple phones to the adapter so different phones can be displayed if you have more than one running carplay.

https://cplay2air.com/

THANK YOU! great idea - didn't know that was a thing

[TX18ZL1]

Originally Posted by Z OH 6

Agreed, I paid 69k for my fully loaded ZL1. I thought hard about buying a GT500 but the price difference between the two made my decision easy. I was able to buy my ZL1, drop around 10k in mods and it will destroy a GT500 on the drag strip or road course and I'm in it for considerably less than a GT500. The downside is that I honestly see the GT500 appreciating in value quite a bit over the coming years.

Agreed - in regards to the sale price of the ZL1 vs the GT500, but that Shelby badging is tempting. I am thinking that maybe the Zl1s will also have a following in coming years once you cant buy new ones anymore.

As for the 120 HP, not worth the buy in at all, like you said once you drop the cash on the upgrades it will far exceed that GT500