[Mister Will]

Hi All,

I was reading the ZL1 appreciation thread, and noticed a comment. The poster mentioned, "I'm getting used to wheel spin..".

So my question, is wheel spin common and can it be a problem?

After going mod crazy with a C5 corvette coupe (see avatar). I decided to melo a bit and bought an SS 1LE as a affordable and livable high performance ride. A C7 Z06 simply wasn't going to happen, C7 GS was expensive and still had a LT1 engine. SS 1LE was more affordable, and had a back seat.

However, I still lurk in the ZL1 section regularly. I may eventually trade my 1LE in for a ZL1. My main concern is that if I purchase a ZL1, I'll find it is much more car than I can ever use (then again duh).

BTW, I have never done a track (in my own car), or a drag strip. My driving is cruising and back roads, or canyons.

Thanks for reading the post.

[Mark R]

It all depends on your right foot. However, there are electronic nannies that are all functioning unless you turn them off, so that is a big plus for safety.

My best recommendation for street driving is a set of Michelin 4S tires. They are always ready to go on the street. The stock tires are very slippery when cold or even when just cruising around, or when it's wet, which may account for the wheel spin comment. The Michelins are probably the best all around street tire that most everyone here will agree on.

[Grumpy1]

Yes a better tire for street use would benefit a lot concerning wheel spin.
The nannies will reel you in to a certain degree depending on how aggressive you are.
This car is completely docile if that's the way you want to drive or can go into beast mode in a fraction of a second.
Who cares if you don't take it to the track (I don't) and have a shit eating grin every time I take her out for a drive.

[Gunkk]

If you cannot respect the car's power, don't buy the car.

[Mister Will]

Originally Posted by Gunkk

If you cannot respect the car's power, don't buy the car.

That's not a problem.


Had a friend who bought a 2012 ZL1. He advised me not to get a ZL1, said he was constantly breaking traction. Now I understand that 5th GEN ZL1 had a reputation for being a little raw and rough. But his comments were to be noted.


Another friend who is an HP addict. He made a comment once that his car was fun at around 600 RWHP. But at around 700 RWHP he felt like his right foot was resting on egg shells.

Lets use a firearm analogy. A 44 Magnum is an appealing gun. "The most powerful handgun in the world" (doubtful). But it big, expensive, ammunition is also, and if I only hunt squirrels, its not very practical. Makes more sense to stick with a lower caliber firearm. Likewise, if 98% of your driving is under 100 MPH, who needs a ZL1?

(Doesn't mean I wouldn't get a S&W 44 Magnum).

In the end we all make our own decisions.

[JB'sZL1]

Originally Posted by Mister Will

That's not a problem.


Had a friend who bought a 2012 ZL1. He advised me not to get a ZL1, said he was constantly breaking traction. Now I understand that 5th GEN ZL1 had a reputation for being a little raw and rough. But his comments were to be noted.


Another friend who is an HP addict. He made a comment once that his car was fun at around 600 RWHP. But at around 700 RWHP he felt like his right foot was resting on egg shells.

Lets use a firearm analogy. A 44 Magnum is an appealing gun. "The most powerful handgun in the world" (doubtful). But it big, expensive, ammunition is also, and if I only hunt squirrels, its not very practical. Makes more sense to stick with a lower caliber firearm. Likewise, if 98% of your driving is under 100 MPH, who needs a ZL1?

(Doesn't mean I wouldn't get a S&W 44 Magnum).

In the end we all make our own decisions.

Any 2wd vehicle can have issues hooking w/ over 500 rwhp. One has to know the vehicle, surface and tires...which is the one key variable (assuming you know how to control and handle 500 rwhp on a 2wd vehicle).

[collinms]

Just run track mode ptm dry setting. You can floor it everywhere while not getting wheelspin. Makes a crazy noise too while doing it.

[nicktechla]

warm tires in sport mode, there isn't much wheel spin. unless your tires are about shot.

[unavailablezl1]

Originally Posted by Mister Will

That's not a problem.


Had a friend who bought a 2012 ZL1. He advised me not to get a ZL1, said he was constantly breaking traction. Now I understand that 5th GEN ZL1 had a reputation for being a little raw and rough. But his comments were to be noted.


Another friend who is an HP addict. He made a comment once that his car was fun at around 600 RWHP. But at around 700 RWHP he felt like his right foot was resting on egg shells.

Lets use a firearm analogy. A 44 Magnum is an appealing gun. "The most powerful handgun in the world" (doubtful). But it big, expensive, ammunition is also, and if I only hunt squirrels, its not very practical. Makes more sense to stick with a lower caliber firearm. Likewise, if 98% of your driving is under 100 MPH, who needs a ZL1?

(Doesn't mean I wouldn't get a S&W 44 Magnum).

In the end we all make our own decisions.

I have the "Dirty Harry" pistol. No matter how often I shoot it at a can or piece of paper. It is still the crowd pleaser where ever I take it.

Don't listen to someone that says don't buy it because he doesn't want you to have a more powerful car than his.

It will still be the crowd pleaser as well as yourself.

[LT4Greg]

I agree with Gunkk but it’s up to the person that wants to buy a ZL1 to know what kind of car they are looking at and the power level they may be getting into. The Z is docile when you need/want it to be and a beast when you are ready to go fast. Just keep the nannies on and you will be okay until you get familiar with the car how it runs and handles and you will adjust to the car in a short time!

[collinms]

Originally Posted by nicktechla

warm tires in sport mode, there isn't much wheel spin. unless your tires are about shot.

The only problem with this is that it's very intrusive when it does detect wheelspin and that can cause severe instabilty in certain situations. Performance traction management is where it's at. Less intrusive and doesn't upset the car at all. It modulates the power very quickly while still allowing you to accelerate very fast. The best way to test this is in the rain. Try accelerating hard in sport mode and then try PTM wet. Night and day difference. I almost crashed in sport mode because the car sidestepped a lane. PTM wet is far more stable. I know it might sound like I'm exaggerating, but I recommend you test yourself. The PTM feature on this car is one of its best features.

[nicktechla]

Originally Posted by collinms

The only problem with this is that it's very intrusive when it does detect wheelspin and that can cause severe instabilty in certain situations. Performance traction management is where it's at. Less intrusive and doesn't upset the car at all. It modulates the power very quickly while still allowing you to accelerate very fast. The best way to test this is in the rain. Try accelerating hard in sport mode and then try PTM wet. Night and day difference. I almost crashed in sport mode because the car sidestepped a lane. PTM wet is far more stable. I know it might sound like I'm exaggerating, but I recommend you test yourself. The PTM feature on this car is one of its best features.

I use it on the track.. sport does fine for me around the public streets.

[sengli]

I must have too much control, cause I had three ZL1's and the Gen5 would break loose with the nannies on, under WOT pulls. My two Gen6 cars, I am not sure I have ever had the tires spin. I never turn off the nannies, and its crazy fast enough for me.

[kwav8r]

To the OP, an SS 1LE will never be a ZL1 - at least that's the epiphany I had while trying to option out an 2SS with 1LE type equipment (at the time you couldn't get a 1LE in a 2SS).

Having said that, anyone that hasn't driven a sports car with the power that a ZL1 has should not expect to drop into the seat and not have to learn how to drive this car. Most folks (me included) haven't driven much, if any, cars with the amount of HP and torque this beast has. Most folks spend most of their lives driving cars in the 200-400 pony range with, generally speaking, either less torque or gearing that is designed for pulling stuff.

Personally speaking, I used to spin the shite out of the tires all the time because I was used to 'jumping' on the gas and the car would respond accordingly. I've since learned that "less is more", if I leave the car to the shifting. Even better, using the downshift paddles to put me into a gear that I can wind her up in without spinning the wheels is a whole lot more fun and Performance Shift Mode is even more awesome.

Judging from previous rides/setups you've had I don't think you would be alarmed by any of this nor would it be a problem for you to adjust to. Others without your experience are going to have the torque monster get their attention a lot more often which is the point of my novella.

My .02.