[Schroedinger]

Background: long time car guy, track rat for the last three years. I've done 25 events, and usually drive in the intermediate groups with various track day operators. I currently drive a street-legal Miata with a low-boost turbo setup. It has been a great car, but I'm thinking about upgrading for a few reasons.

- Frequent small reliability issues on the track with the aftermarket turbo setup. Manageable, but I'm getting tired of constantly having to sort little things out to keep it track ready.

- My driving skills have gotten pretty good, but it's hard to continue to make progress in sessions where I'm getting dragged in the straights by slower drivers in faster cars. Typical scenario at Road Atlanta; I'm on a Mustang's a$$ from turn 1 to turn 7, but don't get a point-by. They pull away from me on the long straight from 7 to 10a. I've already caught them by the exit of turn 12. Repeat, again and again.

- The Miata is a tiny 25 year old car, and even with a race seat, harness and HANS it's probably not as safe as a newer car in stock form.

- I'm a pretty big guy and I barely fit in the car. It is brutal to drive to the track in the summer (no A/C, etc.), so I've been trailering it which is a PITA.

I've been thinking about an SS 1LE, but I can also see stretching for the ZL1 with the A10 tranny. If I buy such a car, it would be mixed street/track and I'm not interested in a ZL1 1LE that's unpleasant on the street for the sake of getting the last 2% of performance. My understanding is that the SS 1LE suspension is fantastic on the track, and the same suspension is in the standard ZL1. My questions:

- Does the standard ZL1 (non 1LE) have all the same track reliability features as the 1LE cars? Oil and transmission coolers, ducting, big brake package, etc.?

- The 1LE cars have a warranty that extends to track use. Does the same apply to the standard ZL1 (non 1LE)?

- Is anyone running a standard ZL1 hard on the track, and have there been any reliability issues to report?

- Are you running different (i.e. cheaper) wheels and tires for street duty, and saving the sticky stuff for the track? Is it possible to get four wheels into the trunk and cabin to haul them to a track day?

[kropscamaro16]

my buddy has a zl1 a10 and he tracks it with no problems and he has done some of the fastest hottest tracks in socal


all gm cars have a track warranty at long as its only modified with gm parts



he has hre wheels on oem goodyear tires and he loves em same with brakes just upgrade fluid and lines hell probably comment on here soon lol

[PROMETHEUS]

I have a regular ZL-1 which is stock, except for the TB and exhaust. It is a monster on the track. I looked and test drove a 1LE and it didn't take me long to say...….hell no. It felt like I was back in my 2nd Gen Camaro. Not that it was a bad thing, but I was a hell of a lot younger back then.
I have an M6 and have had no overheating issues what so ever and several of these track days have been in 95+ degrees.
Warranty issues should not be a problem. In other words, driving it on the track, doesn't negate the warranty.
Overall, you wont be disappointed! In this thing, the only tang you will see is in the rear view mirror.....LOL
Good Luck

[Artos]

Lots of regular Z's out there hitting the tracks.

I don't think 4 full size tires are gonna fit in the back?? How far are you traveling to hit the tracks??

[Try2paz]

Plenty of Non-1LE's on the track, they have all the cooling goodies as well so no issue with heat. The brakes a tad smaller in the front (honestly it's not a bad thing opens you up to more rotor / pad options).

No way you can fit four tires in the trunk..

[Vigilante375]

You can fit 1 tire in the trunk, 2 in the back seat and 1 in the passenger seat....

[Stephen12ZL1]

my ZL1 A10 has been great. A few minor bolt on mods but mostly stock. You will love it for road course action.

[Schroedinger]

Originally Posted by Vigilante375

You can fit 1 tire in the trunk, 2 in the back seat and 1 in the passenger seat....

This is the info I was looking for, thanks. If I can put a trailer hitch on it, I’m also not above towing a small tire trailer to the track.

[philpacs]

I've tracked it as hard as I did my modded CZO6 and was pleasantly surprised plus my regular ZL1 was all stock save SRF. I actually matched my best ZO6 time at Sebring where I have probably 50 plus days experience and my ZL1 is my only car and a great daily. I had no heating issues except the last run where they let us run over 30 mins. Only then I experienced heat soak and pulled power but only after about 25-30 min hot lapping in Super Solo class. For 20 mins sessions no issues and it was upper 80's at least. It puts the power down better than my ZO6 which is where I gained even with less straight speed (147 ZL1 vs 152MPH ZO6).

[Vigilante375]

Originally Posted by Schroedinger

This is the info I was looking for, thanks. If I can put a trailer hitch on it, I’m also not above towing a small tire trailer to the track.

That's stock ZL1 tire size with no rims. Getting the 2 in the back seats is a hassle.

If you cut out the stopper that stops the front seats from reclining all the way (or if you have a 2019 and above) then it may be a little bit easier.

[Lafourche1]

I cannot speak to the tires. However, I've tracked my ZL1 A10 about 6 events. I have not had any heating issues and this is in South Louisiana. It was pretty hot in 2018 at NCM (well over 90 degrees) for CamaroFest. No issues there, either.

[juice3]

I have a ZL1 1LE with A10 now. In between my 17 ZL1 A10 I did a Nissan GT-R, MB AMG GTR, and back to ZLE A10.

The ZL1 A10 with the DSC Controller was a very nice highway, take the wife to dinner, and enjoy 650whp. But it didn't feel.... special on track. It was just... so so. Just not enough aero out of the box for me.

I have 10+ years of track time under my belt and have set a few track records in my ZLE A10 this year. I would not DD the ZLE or Take the wife to dinner in it. The regular ZL1 I would all day.

ZLE


ZL1 A10

[Zl1+911]

[QUOTE=juice3;10635558]I have a ZL1 1LE with A10 now. In between my 17 ZL1 A10 I did a Nissan GT-R, MB AMG GTR, and back to ZLE A10.

The ZL1 A10 with the DSC Controller was a very nice highway, take the wife to dinner, and enjoy 650whp. But it didn't feel.... special on track. It was just... so so. Just not enough aero out of the box for me.

I have 10+ years of track time under my belt and have set a few track records in my ZLE A10 this year. I would not DD the ZLE or Take the wife to dinner in it. The regular ZL1 I would all day.

]


I tried to figure it out from the video - can you help summarize the delta between your best with the ZA10 and the ZLEA10?

[Gunkk]

Originally Posted by kropscamaro16

all gm cars have a track warranty at long as its only modified with gm parts

Not exactly. GM (dealer) must do a mod that is approved/warranted by GM. The only two I know of are the GM Performance intake and the Borla catback, neither of which gives any performance gains. And both are likely to increase noise, not something you want at Laguna Seca.

For example, if you buy a used LT4 blower and put it on your SS, GM most certainly will not honor any drivetrain related warranty.


Bottom line, buy the car you prefer to run at the track, which is a new/used ZL1 based on the “getting dragged” comment.