[arpad_m]

One thing we mustn't forget is that OP already has an SS, so his starting point isn't no car + $x of cash.

Starting with an LT4 makes a ton of sense in a clean slate "purchase, then build" scenario, but much less when you need to trade an SS and take a $15-20K extra bath plus lose your cam investment just to get a stock ZL1 as a new baseline.

[RobZL1]

Alternatively, buy a modded ZL1

[18.2SS.1LE]

Originally Posted by dfxrte

Agreed on most of what you said, just again we get to the same argument. Dumping X amount of $ into an ss 1le to be at best, marginally better than a stock zl1 which at that point, the zl1 would likely cost less & gives you that much more of a platform to work with.

Both are great options whichever direction someone goes, time and budget usually are the constraints why one picks one over the other. Ego too I guess, it's same argument the m340 guys have with the m3 guys and vice versa. At the end of the day one is an ///m or ZL1 and the other isn't.

Originally Posted by dfxrte

no one would, and that's not what we're talking about. As you can see he said, then we get to a subjective matter. prior to that we were saying to get to a stock ZL1 levels from a stock SS, is roughly the cost difference of buying a ZL1 instead of building an SS.

To get to 200+ whp from a stock ZL1 is not the same cost $

stock ss + 20K
sock zl1 + 20K

2 very diff cars and thats the only way we can take subjectivity out of it. no point really discussing this as OP just needs to decide dump more and more into an SS, or get a ZL1 and dump a little bit more. It's probably, give or take, the same total amount of $ to get either platform to 800ish whp including car cost + build cost. ZL1 is more up front, SS is more on the build

No one would? Those are literally your words... My car costs what a stock ZL1 does and far outperforms it.

[LiquidRS]

The answer to your question is rather nuanced unfortunately. I came out of a stage 3 BTR C6 Z06 into my ZLE. With the NA cammed car you can step on it more as there is less torque lower down, you can regularly change up at 3-4k whilst not breaking the speed laws and feel the emotion of a cammed v8. And as the delivery is more linear traction can be controlled easier. And finally its repeatable power as there is minimal heat soak.



With the LT4, standard, there is definitely less emotion and drama. With the huge torque low down I often find myself short shifting and enjoying the wave of torque. cannot really step on it and enjoy the upper range of revs as I would loose my license rather quickly. Stock exhaust note and no chop also a downside. However I'm really enjoying driving a stock car with stock reliability with just enough emotion to still make me smile.



which one would I choose? well i'm looking for another Z06 and will never sell the ZLE, maybe theres an answer in there somewhere.

Originally Posted by Dmoney2SS

Currently contemplating going into a ZL1 from my 22 cammed SS, those of you that have gone from a FBO/cammed SS to a ZL1, would you say there’s a big difference in feeling power wise? Do you regret it/ regret not doing it sooner?

[MisterMarauder]

Originally Posted by LiquidRS

With the LT4, standard, there is definitely less emotion and drama..

Strong disagree. With the supercharger whine and more prominent exhaust, my ZL1 has more drama than my SS ever did.

[Forbaken]

Originally Posted by Dmoney2SS

That’s exactly what has me contemplating this move. Yes a stock ZL1 might not make a lot more than my car currently does, I have no intention of keeping it stock and I’ve seen plenty bolt on ZL1s making 700+whp which is ideally where I’d like to be (until I decide I want to make 900). Like others have said, I’m pretty much maxed out power wise unless I decide to dump 10-20k on essentially a full rebuild (fueling, engine, trans, power adder)

Just a heads up, these 700+ whp bolt ons you have to be careful with what people are claiming. Most people are just slapping on a bored supercharger and small upper pulley. What they don't tell you is that they're heat soaked and losing hp after one pull. My biggest effort has been into cooling my IATs after getting reliable power. Also, you will start needing low pressure fuel pump and injectors around 750ish whp.

[LiquidRS]

I was comparing my LT4 to my cammed LS7.

Originally Posted by MisterMarauder

Strong disagree. With the supercharger whine and more prominent exhaust, my ZL1 has more drama than my SS ever did.

[dfxrte]

Originally Posted by 18.2SS.1LE

No one would? Those are literally your words... My car costs what a stock ZL1 does and far outperforms it.

Lmao okay man, enjoy your SS. Reading isn't your strong point it seems.

OP - this is the other thing when you mod an SS, you have to convince everyone why your SS is awesome where as ppl just respect a ZL1 off the bat

[taylorforschool@gmail.com]

Originally Posted by dfxrte

Lmao okay man, enjoy your SS. Reading isn't your strong point it seems.

OP - this is the other thing when you mod an SS, you have to convince everyone why your SS is awesome where as ppl just respect a ZL1 off the bat

Haha damn. To each their own. I think it’s all cool. If I wasn’t a financial buffoon, my ZL1 would be way past stock. But I can barely afford to let it be a weekend driver, no chance I’m taking the risk turning it into an un-warrantied potential money pit. Love this platform, still a huge risk when you’re financed and you don’t keep it stock. But I also understand a lot of people in this conversation and forum are not of the financing nature.

[18.2SS.1LE]

"Originally Posted by dfxrte View Post
Agreed on most of what you said, just again we get to the same argument. Dumping X amount of $ into an ss 1le to be at best, marginally better than a stock zl1"

Quote:
Originally Posted by 18.2SS.1LE View Post
I wouldn't consider making 200whp more than a ZL1 only marginally better...Lol.

[QUOTE=dfxrte;11476662]no one would, and that's not what we're talking about. As you can see he said, then we get to a subjective matter. prior to that we were saying to get to a stock ZL1 levels from a stock SS, is roughly the cost difference of buying a ZL1 instead of building an SS.

Good Lord, please read the text on the screen you typed out. Your argument verbatim is in BOLD. The fact is, you can put the money saved into an SS to outperform a ZL1 - especially with port injection and ethanol in play now which weren't out when my car was done.

[Wolfman1]

I agonized over the decision to get a ZL1 vs mod my 2SS. In the end I decided to go with the ZL1. The 2SS would have cost around $20K to get close to stock ZL1 performance and I'd still have a 2SS w/o all the other 'upgrades' of the ZL1; just didn't make sense to me. Rides a bit stiffer and I'm getting used to the Recaros. The A10 is a significant upgrade vs the A8 as well.

[ZLRob]

Originally Posted by Wolfman1

I agonized over the decision to get a ZL1 vs mod my 2SS. In the end I decided to go with the ZL1. The 2SS would have cost around $20K to get close to stock ZL1 performance and I'd still have a 2SS w/o all the other 'upgrades' of the ZL1; just didn't make sense to me. Rides a bit stiffer and I'm getting used to the Recaros. The A10 is a significant upgrade vs the A8 as well.

Welcome to the ZL1 club. These cars are pound for pound better in many ways right out of the gate over the SS's (their price reflects that, however. From the supercharger, the forged internals, the A10 transmission, and the fuel system. I think you're gonna be really happy with the decision you made in the end.

[Idaho2018GTPremium]

Originally Posted by Wolfman1

I agonized over the decision to get a ZL1 vs mod my 2SS. In the end I decided to go with the ZL1. The 2SS would have cost around $20K to get close to stock ZL1 performance and I'd still have a 2SS w/o all the other 'upgrades' of the ZL1; just didn't make sense to me. Rides a bit stiffer and I'm getting used to the Recaros. The A10 is a significant upgrade vs the A8 as well.

FWIW I think you made the right decision. Congrats. Do you have possession yet? You’ll have to give us an update with initial impressions comparing your modded SS vs the stock ZL1.

[Bosse'sBoss]

Originally Posted by Dmoney2SS

Ideally if I were to get a ZL1 I’d like it to already have some bolt ons and I’d definitely do at least bolt ons for a little bit should I buy a stock one. I’ve just been at a bit of a crossroads since I’ve heard some people say that the ZL1 is a bit underwhelming stock

Why the "underwhelming" ZL1 comments?