[blk04sr]

Well I am starting a long journey in selling my 14' STi and save a few more dollars to either get a 2018+ 1LE boosted with supporting mods or a ZL1. I want to make 600+ rwhp and keep going back and forth. I feel the ZL1 will be worth more money in the end, you need less in the end to make the horsepower level I want to be. I will be taking the car to track making turns and drag strip as well and maybe a 1/2 mile events.

What is everyone's thoughts on this? I want to keep a manual car, this will not be a DD just a fun weekend car.

[WhyUMad1LE]

Well first I'm going to assume you're talking about an SS 1LE and not a V6 or ZL1 1LE.

Second I say get the SS 1LE and build the motor naturally aspirated.

[FATTEMUNK]

Why not get the better starting point, the main reason MOST people get the 1LE is that they cant afford the ZL1. You need most of the engine parts from the ZL1 for a 1LE for boost anyways.... Thats the only reason I'm getting a 1LE vs a ZL1.

[BlaqWhole]

It depends on what you really wanna do with the car. I would say that if you can get a ZL1 then go for it and don't look back. I never even considered a SS. The SS is a nice car. But the ZL1 is just that much better. Plus you won't have to worry about ordering the blower, dropping it off at a shop, waiting for the shop to finish it, worrying about a faulty install, etc. And a ZL1 is a ZL1 so that right there...

[blk04sr]

Yes I am talking about a SS 1LE, I forgot that the 1LE does come in V6.

Ive been poking around the forum and youtube watching people do builds, and see that you need quite the bit to make decent power on the motor. I haven't put everything down on paper yet to pencil everything out but I was also considering the cost of each car, the amount of money it would take to make the horsepower I want to make, and the difference in parts the car has.

My thought right now is the ZL1, I dont have to do a lot to the car to get decent power out of it and it should retain its value in the long run. Just trying to get a feel for everything. I have been out of the domestic game for some time now.

[brantley847]

.....looks like its going to be a close one.

I struggled with the same, honestly. I am going with the warranty side of things with a ZL1 (although I am sure ill void within a year with headers/tune). My thought was I could potentially regret not going bigger out the gate. I had already put a cam in my 5th when that ZL1 came out so I didn't have regrets, but I did think "what if".

I won't regret not buying the ball buster ZL1 - Except my wallet might.

I am not pulling the trigger on the 18 though. I kinda want to wait to see if we see any refresh at all for 19. I was hoping we wouldve heard something by now, but maybe that happens around Jan/Feb.

[1le32907]

If you can do the zl1 go for it. I went with the 1le because it had some zl1 parts. I probably should have went with the zl1 since now I have a whipple and am doing an engine build. Might have saved a few dollars with zl1. I love the 1le it is also nice when people don’t know what’s under the hood haha

[craigss50]

If the poll didn't convince you than think about this; ZL1 resale will be much higher than a built SS.

[JoshuaHyperblue2ss]

I completely regret my Blown 2SS.. However, I ordered my ss in 2016 so I paid full MSRP $51,100.. no discounts and had to wait 3 months.. now 2 years later my car has depreciated 20k due to ss not selling.. I could of almost got a ZL1 for the price of my 16.. I regret but I still love my 2SS but wished I would of just held out another year and got a zl1. I love my procharged ss but at 56k all said and done for 550whp no warranty vs 65k 530whp zl1 with warranty..

[camaromike77]

Originally Posted by craigss50

If the poll didn't convince you than think about this; ZL1 resale will be much higher than a built SS.

^^ This......

[LT4Greg]

Definitely get a ZL1. The ZL1 is the better of the two IMO. And if 650 hp isn't enough then you can mod it to get more!

[blk04sr]

Yeah I just wanted to confirm my gut feeling on getting the ZL1 over the SS 1LE. Its going to be a big step going to the ZL1, the amount of car you get for the money I cant pass up. My main reason behind the ZL1 is the minimal effort to make 600+ rwhp, I dont want to go down the same rabbit hole I was going with my STi. It takes a lot to make 500+ awhp reliably so I opted to get out now and start something new. Dont get me wrong it was fun driving the STi it made some decent power 348 awhp and 437 awtq and looked completely stock but I miss the V8.

[Swagger]

I would do the 1LE as evidenced by the fact I did the 1LE LOL... My reasons were a few

1. I am not a roots blower fan, so going to a ZL1 to switch to a Procharger felt like a waste.
2. Money saved would yield a built block, lots of blower etc...
3. I had everything from the ZL1 I wanted on a 1LE (brakes, suspension, diff) and I think the 1LE looks better

This is all subjective of course, but for me the 1LE is the better starting point. That said I should bought a ZL1 1LE and done the Procharger LOL. That would have been my ultimate

[blk04sr]

Originally Posted by Swagger

I would do the 1LE as evidenced by the fact I did the 1LE LOL... My reasons were a few

1. I am not a roots blower fan, so going to a ZL1 to switch to a Procharger felt like a waste.
2. Money saved would yield a built block, lots of blower etc...
3. I had everything from the ZL1 I wanted on a 1LE (brakes, suspension, diff) and I think the 1LE looks better

This is all subjective of course, but for me the 1LE is the better starting point. That said I should bought a ZL1 1LE and done the Procharger LOL. That would have been my ultimate

Trust me I have been going back and forth. In the end I dont want to go down a rabbit hole and have to build a motor and all the other bits to support a blower. Yes I agree and am not a fan of a roots blower as much as I am a fan of a procharger but hey sometimes you have to give a little to gain a little.