Anyone upgrade to a ZL1 from an SS? Worth it? - Page 3

Staves · 05-14-2021, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by closs2sx

A smart car is enough for the street and you can break the speed limit with it eventually lol

Braindead analogy. Unlike a smart car, the SS is a rocket. Stock.

19 2SS · 05-14-2021, 11:12 AM

I dont understand the whole "not able to use the power on the street" like do you realize that even the 0-60 mph range is going to be a lot more fun too? its literally night and day difference for me

KingLT1 · 05-14-2021, 11:20 AM

It depends on your goals. Are you wanting more straight line power only? If you were looking at Heads/Cam for the SS then that means you obviously want more power. A Heads/Cam SS from the right Vendor will out perform a stock ZL1 straight line.

The ZL1 makes the most sense if you want more power without modding or light mods and a car that handles, rides, looks, even better. The ZL1 imo needs a couple mods and a tune. They tend to pull timing and close throttle with stock tune on 93. Rotofab, headers, flex sensor(E50-60), tires, and Pray tune = Mid 10 second car @ 130. When you start trying to pulley it down then heat and efficiency of the stock supercharger come into play. The cost to mod goes way up to make more power. Fuel system upgrades, cooling mods, supercharger porting, or moving to a larger supercharger are expensive upgrades.

The SS is still a lot of car for the street. And you can mod a SS reliably for less money then the cost of moving up to a ZL1 if all you want is more straight line power. You could do a LT4 supercharger and fuel system installed and tuned for around 7k. The SS doesn't need as much boost since it's higher compression to make similar power as the ZL1. I would run 6-7psi and E60...you would have a solid reliable setup.

So right now you can get a lower mileage SS for 36-38k. Low mileage 2017-18 ZL1 are running 55-57k. 19's are hovering around 60k. That's a 20k + spread. When you could get into a low mileage ZL1 for 45-50k, that made the decision to move up to a ZL1 less difficult. For some reason ZL1 and Z06's have gone up in price a bit more compared to the lower models.

closs2sx · 05-14-2021, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Staves

Braindead analogy. Unlike a smart car, the SS is a rocket. Stock.

trust me the ss is not a rocket nice car and not slow but its no rocket...in your words braindead analogy

Camaro fanboy · 05-14-2021, 11:53 AM

imho the ss is more than fast enough for the road. for the extra 200 bhp on the road i dont think it's needed.
ofc i'm an old fart and not a speed freak anymore

LT4Greg · 05-14-2021, 02:23 PM

I’m not a speed demon anymore either but it’s nice to have the extra hp when you need it! And I’m an old fart too and enjoy my ZL1.

Staves · 05-14-2021, 03:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19 2SS

I dont understand the whole "not able to use the power on the street" like do you realize that even the 0-60 mph range is going to be a lot more fun too? its literally night and day difference for me

3.4 compared to 3.9, 3.7 compared to 4.2 rolling start 5-60. Definitely night and day difference LOL.

Staves · 05-14-2021, 03:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by closs2sx

trust me the ss is not a rocket nice car and not slow but its no rocket...in your words braindead analogy

3.9 is not a rocket? It's just not slow?

Tesla Model S Performance owners must say the same thing about the ZL1.

Cmax · 05-14-2021, 03:09 PM

I think in this used car market, and the same as the housing market.....
the OP said he got 7k more than he paid and is looking for a used ZL1.....
what makes you think you aren’t gonna pay an inflated price for the next one...?
If it’s not a primary driver, I say sell it, and when prices come back to earth, get back in what you want....
I’ll take 44k for mine! Has 7,000 miles on it

Cmax · 05-14-2021, 03:10 PM

I think in this used car market, and the same as the housing market.....
the OP said he got 7k more than he paid and is looking for a used ZL1.....
what makes you think you aren’t gonna pay an inflated price for the next one...?
If it’s not a primary driver, I say sell it, and when prices come back to earth, get back in what you want....
I’ll take 44k for mine! Has 7,000 miles on it....mint

Trak-Toy · 05-14-2021, 06:07 PM

The difference that’s being missed in these comparisons is exactly how and where these engines produce their torque. That’s the sensation difference everyone with a ZL1 (or any LT4) is describing when comparing these two cars.

The ZL1 LT4 hits 650 lb ft of torque at a relatively low 3600 rpm’s and it remains mostly flat from there on up to the top HP rating at 6400 rpm’s. That’s basically Diesel truck engine torque down low in the rpm power band. Comparatively, the SS LT1 has a thick torque curve, with the dyno showing 350 lb-ft from 2,000 rpm up to a lofty 6,000 rpm, with peak torque occurring between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm.

These differences are stark when driven on the street. I’ve owned two Gen 5 LT1’s, one in a C7 Grand Sport Corvette and one in an Gen 6 Camaro SS 1LE so I am very familiar with how they produce power. There really is no comparison between these cars from a non -scientific ‘shove you into the seat’ sensation.

This is not to disparage the LT1 or the SS Camaro. They make a perfect, balanced, pairing and I wouldn’t hesitate to own one again.

LT4Greg · 05-14-2021, 06:33 PM

You hit the nail on the head about the ZL1, Trak-Toy! ��

KILLA BEE · 05-14-2021, 07:13 PM

My A10 1le is the closest you can get to the Zl1 I'm staying where I am. This thing is amazing

N Camarolina · 05-14-2021, 07:42 PM

I'll take the LT4 owners word for it that you can easily feel the difference on acceleration, but I'll add my own take on it.

When I use WOT on the LT1, my main complaint (if I have one) is that I don't get to enjoy the acceleration (and the sound!!!) for long enough. On regular roads (or even back-roads), it takes no time at all before I'm considerably over the speed limit. Pass a car over the single lane dotted line, and before I know it I'm doing over 80. Have a little fun with rowing through a gear or two, and in no time you're doing over 100.

If I had an LT4, the wow factor would be even greater, but the duration of enjoyment would be even shorter. No thanks, I'll stick with the LT1.

05-14-2021, 11:12 AM	#30
19 2SS Drives: 2019 camaro 2ss Join Date: Feb 2020 Location: PA Posts: 249	I dont understand the whole "not able to use the power on the street" like do you realize that even the 0-60 mph range is going to be a lot more fun too? its literally night and day difference for me __________________ 2.9 Whipple, CSP longtubes, borla atak, lt4 fueling, dsx aux pump, big gulp, nw 103mm, zl1 rep wheels, Toyo r888r

05-14-2021, 11:20 AM	#31
KingLT1 Drives: 2016 1SS NFG A8 Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: 46804 Posts: 6,793	It depends on your goals. Are you wanting more straight line power only? If you were looking at Heads/Cam for the SS then that means you obviously want more power. A Heads/Cam SS from the right Vendor will out perform a stock ZL1 straight line. The ZL1 makes the most sense if you want more power without modding or light mods and a car that handles, rides, looks, even better. The ZL1 imo needs a couple mods and a tune. They tend to pull timing and close throttle with stock tune on 93. Rotofab, headers, flex sensor(E50-60), tires, and Pray tune = Mid 10 second car @ 130. When you start trying to pulley it down then heat and efficiency of the stock supercharger come into play. The cost to mod goes way up to make more power. Fuel system upgrades, cooling mods, supercharger porting, or moving to a larger supercharger are expensive upgrades. The SS is still a lot of car for the street. And you can mod a SS reliably for less money then the cost of moving up to a ZL1 if all you want is more straight line power. You could do a LT4 supercharger and fuel system installed and tuned for around 7k. The SS doesn't need as much boost since it's higher compression to make similar power as the ZL1. I would run 6-7psi and E60...you would have a solid reliable setup. So right now you can get a lower mileage SS for 36-38k. Low mileage 2017-18 ZL1 are running 55-57k. 19's are hovering around 60k. That's a 20k + spread. When you could get into a low mileage ZL1 for 45-50k, that made the decision to move up to a ZL1 less difficult. For some reason ZL1 and Z06's have gone up in price a bit more compared to the lower models. __________________ 2016 NFG 1SS A8 Options-2SS Leather/NPP Perf. mods-Whipple 2.9/Fuel System/Flex Fuel/103mm TB/Rotofab Big Gulp/Cat Deletes/Corsa NPP Per. times- 10.5 @ 137 w/ 1.8 60ft Full weight on 20's 1200DA

05-14-2021, 11:53 AM	#33
Camaro fanboy Drives: 2017 2SS Arctic blue fully loaded Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: SWEDEN Posts: 880	imho the ss is more than fast enough for the road. for the extra 200 bhp on the road i dont think it's needed. ofc i'm an old fart and not a speed freak anymore __________________

05-14-2021, 02:23 PM	#34
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,809	I’m not a speed demon anymore either but it’s nice to have the extra hp when you need it! And I’m an old fart too and enjoy my ZL1. __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

05-14-2021, 06:33 PM	#40
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,809	You hit the nail on the head about the ZL1, Trak-Toy! �� __________________ ZL1 Coupe, PDR, Exposed carbon fiber hood insert, My Link with Nav, M6 6 speed and Silver Ice Metallic. Mods done: ceramic window tint, GM Accessories Camaro floor mats and Roto-Fab CAI.

05-14-2021, 03:09 PM	#37
Cmax Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS FIFTY convertible Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 366	I think in this used car market, and the same as the housing market..... the OP said he got 7k more than he paid and is looking for a used ZL1..... what makes you think you aren’t gonna pay an inflated price for the next one...? If it’s not a primary driver, I say sell it, and when prices come back to earth, get back in what you want.... I’ll take 44k for mine! Has 7,000 miles on it

05-14-2021, 03:10 PM	#38
Cmax Drives: 2017 Camaro 2SS FIFTY convertible Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Cincinnati Posts: 366	I think in this used car market, and the same as the housing market..... the OP said he got 7k more than he paid and is looking for a used ZL1..... what makes you think you aren’t gonna pay an inflated price for the next one...? If it’s not a primary driver, I say sell it, and when prices come back to earth, get back in what you want.... I’ll take 44k for mine! Has 7,000 miles on it....mint

05-14-2021, 06:07 PM	#39
Trak-Toy Drives: 2023 SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2020 Location: Virginia Posts: 270	The difference that’s being missed in these comparisons is exactly how and where these engines produce their torque. That’s the sensation difference everyone with a ZL1 (or any LT4) is describing when comparing these two cars. The ZL1 LT4 hits 650 lb ft of torque at a relatively low 3600 rpm’s and it remains mostly flat from there on up to the top HP rating at 6400 rpm’s. That’s basically Diesel truck engine torque down low in the rpm power band. Comparatively, the SS LT1 has a thick torque curve, with the dyno showing 350 lb-ft from 2,000 rpm up to a lofty 6,000 rpm, with peak torque occurring between 4,000 and 5,000 rpm. These differences are stark when driven on the street. I’ve owned two Gen 5 LT1’s, one in a C7 Grand Sport Corvette and one in an Gen 6 Camaro SS 1LE so I am very familiar with how they produce power. There really is no comparison between these cars from a non -scientific ‘shove you into the seat’ sensation. This is not to disparage the LT1 or the SS Camaro. They make a perfect, balanced, pairing and I wouldn’t hesitate to own one again.

05-14-2021, 07:13 PM	#41
KILLA BEE Black lightning Drives: 2021 ZL1 1LE A10 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Nottingham Md Posts: 1,997 View My Garage	My A10 1le is the closest you can get to the Zl1 I'm staying where I am. This thing is amazing __________________ [ 2021 Camaro ZLE 10 speed

05-14-2021, 07:42 PM	#42
N Camarolina Drives: 2021 2SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Cary, NC Posts: 802	I'll take the LT4 owners word for it that you can easily feel the difference on acceleration, but I'll add my own take on it. When I use WOT on the LT1, my main complaint (if I have one) is that I don't get to enjoy the acceleration (and the sound!!!) for long enough. On regular roads (or even back-roads), it takes no time at all before I'm considerably over the speed limit. Pass a car over the single lane dotted line, and before I know it I'm doing over 80. Have a little fun with rowing through a gear or two, and in no time you're doing over 100. If I had an LT4, the wow factor would be even greater, but the duration of enjoyment would be even shorter. No thanks, I'll stick with the LT1.

User Name		Remember Me?
Password