1/3 tank of gas per 20 minute session of tracking?!?!

GunMetalGrey · 06-08-2019, 10:50 PM

Is using 1/3 of a tank of gas per 20 minute session of tracking normal?

It was my 2nd track day at a corner heavy technical track and after a little less than 20 minutes I was down to 2/3 of a tank, after the next 20 minutes session I had 1/3 of a tank of gas left, is this normal for a ZL1?

BigShow1960 · 06-08-2019, 11:11 PM

In a 1LE I use about 1/4 per 20 min session, maybe a tad more. 4.7 mpg.

mblum · 06-09-2019, 06:41 AM

Depending on the track, yes it is to be expected. On our 2.3 mile road course I can only get two twenty minute sessions from a tank. If I push the car really hard I will starve it of fuel on some long sweepers towards the end of the second session. Last time I finished a track day my aver MPG was 3.4

These engines use a lot of fuel, I wonder how much could fuel could be saved with a re-tune. From what I've read it seems the LT4 is rich under heavy load to keep the cats cool.

Maybe someone who has removed the cats and has had the engine tuned can chime in if they noticed any fuel savings?

Stephen12ZL1 · 06-09-2019, 06:50 AM

yes...at VIR a 25 min session is nearly 1/2 a tank

Norm Peterson · 06-09-2019, 06:53 AM

Sounds about right . . . WOT with big power, high revs, and lower gears isn't much of a recipe for getting good mpg numbers. Even at the wimpy 300-ish HP level I'll burn over 4 gallons in a 20 minute session.

Norm

breakskeet · 06-09-2019, 08:48 AM

I use 1/2 a tank at Sebring (3.7 miles) in 30 min. Your fuel usage seems ok. I average about 4.5mpg.

Badmojo · 06-09-2019, 09:13 AM

Normal. I got through 10.5 gallons every 30 minutes at Carolina Motorsports Park, ~3.5 MPG.

GunMetalGrey · 06-09-2019, 03:22 PM

Thanks for the feedback guys, much appreciated!

GunMetalGrey · 06-09-2019, 03:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mblum

These engines use a lot of fuel, I wonder how much could fuel could be saved with a re-tune. From what I've read it seems the LT4 is rich under heavy load to keep the cats cool.

Maybe someone who has removed the cats and has had the engine tuned can chime in if they noticed any fuel savings?

Yeah I was wondering about this too, if the tune is enough to make a significant difference in MPG when tracking.
Any one who's done something simple like CAI, LT Headers and a tune?

Harpinc · 06-09-2019, 06:24 PM

I used almost a full tank per 25 minute session in my 17' M3 on the 500whp setting.

Laststandard · 06-10-2019, 08:17 AM

I average about 6.5 mpg at the local track, but it's short with really only two WOT spots up to 90mph or so. I usually go through a 1/2 tank on track night (3x 20 min sessions).

Snakebt6 · 06-10-2019, 08:52 AM

Reset the mileage thing and see what kind of mileage you are getting.

I reset it going in the gate and take note of mileage after I pack up and am getting ready to head out for the day.

I got 4.8mpg on the Daytona Road Course and get 4.2 at my local track pretty consistently.

Yours seems normal to me.

Lafourche1 · 06-10-2019, 10:58 AM

I typically get around 4 - 4.5 MPG at NOLA Motorsports 16 turn - 2.7 mile configuration. I refill after 3 runs at the most.

Snakebt6 · 06-10-2019, 01:24 PM

Lafarouche I used to live in Belle Chasse in the 90's.

I loved it there..I remember they used to do track days, I think it was autocross and then some, out at the base on the original runways that were no longer in use.

06-08-2019, 10:50 PM	#1
GunMetalGrey Drives: Track prepped 2018 Camaro ZL1 (a10) Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Victoria B.C. Canada Posts: 1,384	1/3 tank of gas per 20 minute session of tracking?!?! Is using 1/3 of a tank of gas per 20 minute session of tracking normal? It was my 2nd track day at a corner heavy technical track and after a little less than 20 minutes I was down to 2/3 of a tank, after the next 20 minutes session I had 1/3 of a tank of gas left, is this normal for a ZL1? __________________ 2018 ZL1; Mag 2650 and 2 inch LT Headers , every SPL suspension upgrade, MCS 2 way coilovers, sway bars, square SC3R 325's all the way around, and multiple brake cooling upgrades

06-09-2019, 06:41 AM	#3
mblum Drives: 2017 ZL1 Camaro Join Date: May 2018 Location: Iowa Posts: 100	Depending on the track, yes it is to be expected. On our 2.3 mile road course I can only get two twenty minute sessions from a tank. If I push the car really hard I will starve it of fuel on some long sweepers towards the end of the second session. Last time I finished a track day my aver MPG was 3.4 These engines use a lot of fuel, I wonder how much could fuel could be saved with a re-tune. From what I've read it seems the LT4 is rich under heavy load to keep the cats cool. Maybe someone who has removed the cats and has had the engine tuned can chime in if they noticed any fuel savings? __________________ 2017 Garnet Red ZL1 A10 Other Rides, 97 Trans Am, 72 Chevelle

06-09-2019, 06:50 AM	#4
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	yes...at VIR a 25 min session is nearly 1/2 a tank __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

06-09-2019, 06:53 AM	#5
Norm Peterson corner barstool sitter Drives: 08 Mustang GT, 19 WRX Join Date: Jul 2012 Location: Eastern Time Zone Posts: 6,990	Sounds about right . . . WOT with big power, high revs, and lower gears isn't much of a recipe for getting good mpg numbers. Even at the wimpy 300-ish HP level I'll burn over 4 gallons in a 20 minute session. Norm __________________ '08 GT coupe 5M (the occasional track toy) '19 WRX 6M (the family sedan . . . seriously)

06-09-2019, 09:13 AM	#7
Badmojo aka BeastZL1 Drives: 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE, 2004 Cobra Join Date: Dec 2017 Location: NC Posts: 1,104	Normal. I got through 10.5 gallons every 30 minutes at Carolina Motorsports Park, ~3.5 MPG. __________________ 2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE Racing for ALS Youtube Link

06-08-2019, 11:11 PM	#2
BigShow1960 BigShow Drives: 2017 1 Camaro + Chevy Avalanche Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Tucson Posts: 335	In a 1LE I use about 1/4 per 20 min session, maybe a tad more. 4.7 mpg.

06-09-2019, 08:48 AM	#6
breakskeet Kevin Drives: 2018 Callaway Camaro ZL1 1LE Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Rattlesnake, FL Posts: 321	I use 1/2 a tank at Sebring (3.7 miles) in 30 min. Your fuel usage seems ok. I average about 4.5mpg.

06-09-2019, 03:22 PM	#8
GunMetalGrey Drives: Track prepped 2018 Camaro ZL1 (a10) Join Date: Aug 2013 Location: Victoria B.C. Canada Posts: 1,384	Thanks for the feedback guys, much appreciated! __________________ 2018 ZL1; Mag 2650 and 2 inch LT Headers , every SPL suspension upgrade, MCS 2 way coilovers, sway bars, square SC3R 325's all the way around, and multiple brake cooling upgrades

06-09-2019, 06:24 PM	#10
Harpinc Drives: 19' ZL1 1LE Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Houston,Tx Posts: 128	I used almost a full tank per 25 minute session in my 17' M3 on the 500whp setting.

06-10-2019, 08:17 AM	#11
Laststandard Drives: 2018 1SS 1LE Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mpls, MN Posts: 428	I average about 6.5 mpg at the local track, but it's short with really only two WOT spots up to 90mph or so. I usually go through a 1/2 tank on track night (3x 20 min sessions). __________________ 2018 1SS 1LE (sold)

06-10-2019, 08:52 AM	#12
Snakebt6 Drives: Rally Green 2020 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Jacksonville Florida Posts: 402	Reset the mileage thing and see what kind of mileage you are getting. I reset it going in the gate and take note of mileage after I pack up and am getting ready to head out for the day. I got 4.8mpg on the Daytona Road Course and get 4.2 at my local track pretty consistently. Yours seems normal to me.

06-10-2019, 10:58 AM	#13
Lafourche1 Drives: 2019 CLA 450 Mercedes Join Date: May 2016 Location: South Louisiana Posts: 1,107	I typically get around 4 - 4.5 MPG at NOLA Motorsports 16 turn - 2.7 mile configuration. I refill after 3 runs at the most. __________________ 2019 Lunar Blue Metallic Mercedes CLS 450 2021 C43 AMG Mercedes Coupe Metallic Cardinal Red 2014 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost (The Bus)

06-10-2019, 01:24 PM	#14
Snakebt6 Drives: Rally Green 2020 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Jul 2018 Location: Jacksonville Florida Posts: 402	Lafarouche I used to live in Belle Chasse in the 90's. I loved it there..I remember they used to do track days, I think it was autocross and then some, out at the base on the original runways that were no longer in use.

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