ZL1 too much for the Street?

Mister Will · 09-28-2017, 02:30 PM

This has been a question for a while. But since the 6th Gen ZL1 has been out for a year, I think owners can provide working knowledge to the answer.

I have some friends who own 5th Gen ZL1s and C7 Z06. All say they are beasts. But except for the high power junkies several say the power is too much and they are always on the verge of breaking traction.

So is this true? Does the 6th Gen ZL1 have too much torque for the street and risks spinning out?

ninetres · 09-28-2017, 02:32 PM

No. It hooks well for its power level.

ZED SLED · 09-28-2017, 02:36 PM

I don't have a problem with that. Then again I'm generally not trying to drift past an elementary school. But seriously, I've never spun it on the track either. Way too much torque management in these cars.

neenja_jenkins · 09-28-2017, 02:37 PM

The elephant in the room is that you're in control of the accelerator. It's only going to go as fast as you tell it to ya know?

If you mash the pedal to the ground, (and especially if the nannies are off) then yes, traction disappears like a fart in the wind. If you drive it like a sensible human being however, it's no harder to handle than any other car on the road. It's a fantastic machine, and will give as much as you ask, or go as slow as you require.

The nannies actually do a great job of keeping thing under control.

mzdadoc · 09-28-2017, 02:37 PM

Never too much. If you respect the power, it's a controlled thrill ride every day. Disrespect and you will go ditch diving.

Walkure · 09-28-2017, 02:38 PM

I've never had a problem with traction.

mzdadoc · 09-28-2017, 02:39 PM

I will add it ruins you for the other family cars. I took my wife's Durango to the gun range and went to pass someone and let's just say it didn't go well. No powered big pig. Don't tell her I said that. LOL

Tara Martin · 09-28-2017, 02:46 PM

I have 97xx miles now and have very spiritedly driven it many times. The control is excellent! Even if you feel it get a little loose, the control comes right back if your lighten your foot just a little. I've not ever been on the verge of losing control. That said, the first to second shift (M6) at full throttle is OMG-what-a-rush!

C Man · 09-28-2017, 03:09 PM

I've only broken mine in recently and been able to enjoy going WOT.

Truthfully... I think it's too much power for the street. You get to ridiculous illegal speeds too quickly and the car just always feels like it wants to go.

I love the handling of it... and being top down is great. But I think even an SS 1LE would fit the bill for what I need when driving around.

I do LOVE the car... and will be taking it to the drag and race tracks to really enjoy it. But I've never been in a car that is so tempting to drive fast... and my other Camaro is no slouch.

TeleZL1 · 09-28-2017, 03:14 PM

Not at all. I just came from a 2015 Mustang GT with the performance pack. Car was tuned, CAI, e85..blah blah and that car would jump out from under me waaay faster than the ZL1 and it probably only made 470ish HP. Of course the 285 P Zeros didnt help. Now, if your going with the 6sp ZL1 and turn the nannies off and think your some badass driver (drive over your head) and go crazy then yeah, your gonna lose your $h1t!

All this being said....its what the others have said. It's the driver. If you don't respect the machine it will bite you.

jimmydude · 09-28-2017, 03:24 PM

No its not too much. You just have to warm up the tires and you’re good to go. My tires will easily hook and I can actually mash it down.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

ZL1 1LE · 09-28-2017, 03:25 PM

Know your abilities and the car's abilities and don't exceed either.

Mr. Meh · 09-28-2017, 03:26 PM

A10 here -- not that I can tell.. Sure if it's slippery or cold out and you floor it you'll break loose, but the car corrects that pretty quickly.. And, this would be true of even lesser powered cars as well.

Otherwise, I don't feel it's too much power and the car is quite composed.. Remember, this isn't a some heavy cammed out car. We're talking about a blower that doesn't engage until you command it.. For all intents and purposes, it drives like the LT1 powered cars until the bypass closes.

It will get up and move out very rapidly with little to no issues with good conditions out.. No DRs needed.

Delaney · 09-28-2017, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL1 1LE

Know your abilities and the car's abilities and don't exceed either.

That seems to be the best advice!

09-28-2017, 02:30 PM	#1
Mister Will Drives: 2021 Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: May 2013 Location: San Diego, CA. Posts: 457	ZL1 too much for the Street? This has been a question for a while. But since the 6th Gen ZL1 has been out for a year, I think owners can provide working knowledge to the answer. I have some friends who own 5th Gen ZL1s and C7 Z06. All say they are beasts. But except for the high power junkies several say the power is too much and they are always on the verge of breaking traction. So is this true? Does the 6th Gen ZL1 have too much torque for the street and risks spinning out?

09-28-2017, 02:32 PM	#2
ninetres Drives: Crush ZLE M6 \| 2000 Corvette FRC Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Cencal Posts: 1,659	No. It hooks well for its power level. Last edited by ninetres; 09-28-2017 at 02:43 PM.

09-28-2017, 02:36 PM	#3
ZED SLED Drives: 2017 Mosaic Bk ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: South of Raleigh, NC Posts: 9,477 View My Garage	I don't have a problem with that. Then again I'm generally not trying to drift past an elementary school. But seriously, I've never spun it on the track either. Way too much torque management in these cars. __________________

09-28-2017, 02:46 PM	#8
Tara Martin Loves Camaros Drives: Red '79 Z28, '21 Red Hot M6 ZL-1! Join Date: Sep 2012 Location: Corpus Christi, TX Posts: 1,623 View My Garage	I have 97xx miles now and have very spiritedly driven it many times. The control is excellent! Even if you feel it get a little loose, the control comes right back if your lighten your foot just a little. I've not ever been on the verge of losing control. That said, the first to second shift (M6) at full throttle is OMG-what-a-rush! __________________ Old and new, sharing space!

09-28-2017, 03:09 PM	#9
C Man Drives: 2018 White Convertible Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Toronto Posts: 74	I've only broken mine in recently and been able to enjoy going WOT. Truthfully... I think it's too much power for the street. You get to ridiculous illegal speeds too quickly and the car just always feels like it wants to go. I love the handling of it... and being top down is great. But I think even an SS 1LE would fit the bill for what I need when driving around. I do LOVE the car... and will be taking it to the drag and race tracks to really enjoy it. But I've never been in a car that is so tempting to drive fast... and my other Camaro is no slouch. __________________ White 2018 Camaro A10 Convertible ZL1

09-28-2017, 02:37 PM	#4
neenja_jenkins Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Dallas Posts: 145	The elephant in the room is that you're in control of the accelerator. It's only going to go as fast as you tell it to ya know? If you mash the pedal to the ground, (and especially if the nannies are off) then yes, traction disappears like a fart in the wind. If you drive it like a sensible human being however, it's no harder to handle than any other car on the road. It's a fantastic machine, and will give as much as you ask, or go as slow as you require. The nannies actually do a great job of keeping thing under control.

09-28-2017, 02:37 PM	#5
mzdadoc Drives: 2017 Red Hot Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Jordan Posts: 34	Never too much. If you respect the power, it's a controlled thrill ride every day. Disrespect and you will go ditch diving.

09-28-2017, 02:38 PM	#6
Walkure Drives: '17 ZL1 A10 Vert Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: SW Florida Posts: 375	I've never had a problem with traction.

09-28-2017, 02:39 PM	#7
mzdadoc Drives: 2017 Red Hot Camaro ZL1 A10 Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Jordan Posts: 34	I will add it ruins you for the other family cars. I took my wife's Durango to the gun range and went to pass someone and let's just say it didn't go well. No powered big pig. Don't tell her I said that. LOL

09-28-2017, 03:14 PM	#10
TeleZL1 Drives: 2018 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2017 Location: Texas Posts: 50	Not at all. I just came from a 2015 Mustang GT with the performance pack. Car was tuned, CAI, e85..blah blah and that car would jump out from under me waaay faster than the ZL1 and it probably only made 470ish HP. Of course the 285 P Zeros didnt help. Now, if your going with the 6sp ZL1 and turn the nannies off and think your some badass driver (drive over your head) and go crazy then yeah, your gonna lose your $h1t! All this being said....its what the others have said. It's the driver. If you don't respect the machine it will bite you.

09-28-2017, 03:24 PM	#11
jimmydude Drives: . Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: . Posts: 28	No its not too much. You just have to warm up the tires and you’re good to go. My tires will easily hook and I can actually mash it down. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

09-28-2017, 03:25 PM	#12
ZL1 1LE @zle_blackwing Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: S OC Posts: 1,390	Know your abilities and the car's abilities and don't exceed either. __________________ 2018 ZL1 1LE - Red Hot, Nav, PDR

09-28-2017, 03:26 PM	#13
Mr. Meh Drives: Sold Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Somewhere Posts: 775	A10 here -- not that I can tell.. Sure if it's slippery or cold out and you floor it you'll break loose, but the car corrects that pretty quickly.. And, this would be true of even lesser powered cars as well. Otherwise, I don't feel it's too much power and the car is quite composed.. Remember, this isn't a some heavy cammed out car. We're talking about a blower that doesn't engage until you command it.. For all intents and purposes, it drives like the LT1 powered cars until the bypass closes. It will get up and move out very rapidly with little to no issues with good conditions out.. No DRs needed.

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