[NG329]

Before I get flamed I know that most of us here are already aware of how great a car this is. I consider myself fortunate to have bought one just before the price gouging began a few weeks ago.

I've had the opportunity to log about 6,000+ miles on it. I've done 1/4 mile; 50mph rolls, a few burnouts, and two hard track days, along with some highway pulls.

For the money, I've concluded that anything short of a loaded $175k+ GT3 is just not worthwhile. This car checks off all the boxes.

At NJMP Thunderbolt two Saturdays ago, my first track day in the car, I logged a respectable 1:38 lap. That's moving, although not elite you're in the top 10% of a track day if you're in the 30s there. Then this past Friday I managed to clock a 1:16 at NJMP Lightning.... and that's moving pretty good...... with the instructor in the car. The car is mechanically stock. The only mods being a GM Flex Fuel sensor, HP Tuners MPVI2+ with a Jannetty remote tune. For tires I run the Michelin PS42 at 40psi cold on the street and 28psi cold on the track. At the end of each session my hot pressure is roughly 35psi all around. One session I came in the right front was 37psi. It never happened again after that though.

I don't consider myself a great driver, but the fact that I can manage those times (granted, I have a motorcycle background and am very familiar with those tracks) in only my second track day I think underscores how capable this car is. The powerband is linear and even though you can get yourself hurt in this thing, you are given warning as you approach the limits. My lap times actually got faster as I turned DOWN the driver electronic aides. 'Sport 2' seems to be the sweet spot while in Competition mode. At some point I'll play with 'RACE' mode.

With all that said, I wanted to briefly point out my "Novice" opinions on the car.

Chassis: 9 out of 10
- I have to ding it for weight.
- My instructor felt some rear instability when I let him drive it. Although I ran two seconds quicker than he did in my car, I could not feel it. Likely due to my inexperience. I'll need to play with the rear stabilizer bar adjustments for my next outing to see if I can get it to square off the corners better.
- I only felt a tiny hint of body roll when I started to pick up the pace. This thing is sorted!

Engine: 10 out of 10
- No additional power needed on the track. Maybe a tad more midrange would have helped me make up time on the straights if I got a corner exit wrong but ultimately that's on me and not the car's fault.

Components: 10 out of 10
- For the track, the Spool Valve Suspension and the Forged Wheels are top notch. No need to upgrade. I just wish slicks came in the OEM 305/30/19 fronts.

Tires: 9 out of 10
- I ran Michelin PS4S. In 50 degree temps these things worked fantastic. I had no issues with traction and I ran respectable laps without them even howling. I always tell my buddies that no tire will tolerate bad lines. If you're running on the correct racing line these tires will do whatever you ask of them. I wouldn't run them in the Summertime tho. They are wearing even and quite nicely.
- I'll have to test the SuperCar 3Rs later on this summer but I imagine they will be 2 seconds a lap faster.

Aero: 10 out of 10
- It flat out works! Period!


I have to mention that I had zero heat soak issues. I ran nearly a 30 minute session non stop and blew thru half a tank of gas and the temps were fantastic. E40/E50 runs cooler and I also added "Keyser's Pro-Blend High Performance Engine Racing Concentrate" into the oil. The oil temps were low the entire time. By contrast, a friend that I met at the track ran nearly identical times as me, possibly 1 sec/lap faster and he kept going into limp mode in his C7 Z06 (Same tires too) due to heat soak. *****I've had the chance to see both cars in action and HANDS DOWN (and in my humble opinion of course hahaha) the ZL1 1LE is the all around better track car than the C7 Z06 due to the heat soak issues. I also observed a C8 there and he couldn't keep up with the guy in the C7 Z06.... I noticed he had his engine bay open between sessions to cool off the motor. Maybe it was nothing but as a guy who contemplates a C8 down the road it made me wonder.


Fuel Economy: 1 out of 10
- I literally went thru half a tank of gas in 1 session. Not cool! hahaha

Presence: 10 out of 10
- This car gets so much damn respect it's ridiculous. I had no issues getting wave by's all day. And all of the teenage Jail bait hit on me at the McDonald's Drive Thru. hahahaha

Anyhow I will post links to the footage. It is as follows:

Here's my first session after lunch with the instructor where I started to drop time. Prior to this session I was running 1:22 laps:
https://youtu.be/nfPPLIGVtHg



This is my fastest lap of the day and it happened during my second session after lunch with the instructor:
https://youtu.be/ShZgd8sK-ZM



Lastly, this is my last session of the day. It was damn near an open track maybe a handful of guys out there. 25 minute session and I logged 22 laps before the fuel light came on.
https://youtu.be/1D47oiNHZMI



I did have a question for you guys who are tracking the car. Can I expect a noticeable difference after going to the stiff setting on the adjustable rear sway bar? Would you recommend the BMR stuff? I'm honestly quite happy with my current pace tho so maybe it won't be necessary. Either way I'd love to get your opinions. Lastly, is there a way to disable the ABS? It kicked in when I tried to brake really deep into the corners.

Thanks in advance and I hope you guys like the footage.

[closs2sx]

The ps4s will sing like a canary when pushed hard even in the proper line.

[CW3SF]

Props for getting it out on track. As someone who tracks their car I can tell you, it’s a different experience with the GY SC3s or 3Rs. The PS4s do their best work on the street. Anyhow congrats.

[NG329]

Thanks guys.

I will for sure be throwing on the OEM Supercar 3Rs for June, July, and August events.

[Apexslayer]

Congrats on the purchase! You are using it the way its supposed to be used. Couple of thoughts:
1) Try the OEM Supercar 3Rs - they take a lap to warm up, but after that they are great.
2) Don't make any major modifications yet - the car is great out of the box. Not sure what GM could have done differently apart from seats compatible with harnesses and losing 300lbs
3) Don't disable the ABS - its good to have that safety net if needed, some of the guys I drive with also believe if you aren't tipping into ABS, you aren't braking late and hard enough :-).
4) Btw - did you buy that new?

[Apexslayer]

One other thought - remember to remove that black water redirector (i forget the official name) underneath the hood when doing track days (its held on by three bolts and is made to be taken off for track days)

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Apexslayer

Congrats on the purchase! You are using it the way its supposed to be used. Couple of thoughts:
1) Try the OEM Supercar 3Rs - they take a lap to warm up, but after that they are great.
2) Don't make any major modifications yet - the car is great out of the box. Not sure what GM could have done differently apart from seats compatible with harnesses and losing 300lbs
3) Don't disable the ABS - its good to have that safety net if needed, some of the guys I drive with also believe if you aren't tipping into ABS, you aren't braking late and hard enough :-).
4) Btw - did you buy that new?

Thanks for the suggestions.

1) OEM Supercar 3Rs are definitely on my list. SCCA offers a 20% discount on them too so that is definitely happening.

2) Bet! I don't plan to make any additional mods. I'll hold off on the BMR stuff and just stiffen up the rear and see how it goes.

3) Yeah I was kind of teed off. The data showed at one point that I was about to log a 1:14 lap and the ABS kicked in while braking underneath the bridge. It threw off the entire lap. It's actually in one of the videos....I forget which one. You can hear it.

4) I bought it used. It was a 1 owner car with 8,800 miles when I bought it. Car was essentially stock.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Apexslayer

One other thought - remember to remove that black water redirector (i forget the official name) underneath the hood when doing track days (its held on by three bolts and is made to be taken off for track days)

Aaaaaahhhh that's right! I totally forgot about that. That should also keep the engine cooler too in the hotter months. Thanks for the reminder. I honestly totally forgot.

[Apexslayer]

Did you get it from a dealer or an individual? Sorry for the questions, I sold mine back to the dealer due to an ankle injury and it was the same colour blue with about that many miles. Also - at some point change the brake fluid to SRF.

[JBones81]

I didnt order one because I don't track my cars. I fully respect what an amazing car the zl1 with the 1le package is, but for my needs, the plain model was plenty.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by Apexslayer

Did you get it from a dealer or an individual? Sorry for the questions, I sold mine back to the dealer due to an ankle injury and it was the same colour blue with about that many miles. Also - at some point change the brake fluid to SRF.

I bought it from a Florida dealer who somehow received it from California where it was originally registered. That's all the info I have on it.

[NG329]

Originally Posted by JBones81

I didnt order one because I don't track my cars. I fully respect what an amazing car the zl1 with the 1le package is, but for my needs, the plain model was plenty.

....and the ZL1 without the 1LE is awesome, so you're still winning.

[JBones81]

Originally Posted by NG329

....and the ZL1 without the 1LE is awesome, so you're still winning.

Yes, for sure. Having the rs3 and a zl1 will be pretty fun. My wife is about to order a Tesla, too...so with those 3 in the garage, we'll have all types of speed covered

[JSH]

Originally Posted by NG329

1) OEM Supercar 3Rs are definitely on my list.

Mine only lasted 2200 miles. They are strictly a dry road course/street tire, don't work as an everyday tire, and they're extremely dangerous on wet surfaces.

I just ordered a set of R888R to replace them, but mine is not a DD.