Stick with my 2017 Camaro SS or trade up to a 2018 or newer ZL1

Hawaiiboy510 · 03-29-2020, 02:22 AM

As you can tell by the tittle you can see where this discussion is going. I currently have a 2017 Chevy Camaro SS really good car no problems (knock on wood) The mods I have are Rotofab cai, ported intake manifold, 95MM throttle body, Kooks headers no cats,new spark plugs, new thermostat, e85 kit stock x-pipe and flowmaster axle back exhaust which makes 485rwhp I also lowered it with eibach lowering srpings and have Hre flowform wheels.I have recently started taking my car to the car and was wondering if it was smart for me to trade up to a ZL1 or just stay with my SS and keep building it? Things to comside I live in Cali so when it comes time ill have to figure out how to pass smog on my SS and my SS is already too loud for some tracks so ill have to find a way to quiet it down anyway. Thank you guys for your time I look forward to hearing from you guys have a good day

Need4Camaro · 03-29-2020, 03:35 AM

depends. If you want ZL1 power or want to go F.I. - ZL1. Less Headaches, warrantied, all the homework done for you and the costs will be fairly similar.
If you're content with the SS and don't go F.I. then keep it.

For what its worth my SS is still stock and I'm still very pleased with it.

Hawaiiboy510 · 03-29-2020, 04:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Need4Camaro

depends. If you want ZL1 power or want to go F.I. - ZL1. Less Headaches, warrantied, all the homework done for you and the costs will be fairly similar.
If you're content with the SS and don't go F.I. then keep it.

For what its worth my SS is still stock and I'm still very pleased with it.

Yeah thats where my head was at the warranty and it'll be street legal in CA as my SS is not. I've heard some people say that I wouldn't be any faster on the track without the experience and just stay with the SS and get as much seat time as possible

LT4Greg · 03-29-2020, 08:24 AM

I would trade up to a used ZL1 over doing any more mods to your SS! The ZL1 would have probably 100 or more hp than what you have now that’s a complete package from Chevy. I upgraded last year from a 2016 2SS to a slightly used 2017 ZL1 and couldn’t be happier with my choice!

arpad_m · 03-29-2020, 08:45 AM

Not easy, but I'd try to keep emotions out of this and do a cold hard calculation, given the choice is between two amazing cars anyway. Basically, if you want 540-560 rwhp with a warranty, the obvious choice is ZL1.

Now, ZL1 and ZL1 1LE owners will obviously tell you to get one

, but I'd simply write up all the pros and contras for both choices, with costs, plus my honest personal preferences (say, how much money I have for the upgrade, how important warranty is for me, how much power do I really want, how many miles max on a used ZL1, color, acceptable mods, max distance to travel for the car etc.) and then make a decision.

Also, consider that the basic price difference between the SS and the ZL1 is roughly $20k ($45k vs $65k new, $30-35k vs $50-55k used), but, say, if you want more power, you'll get rid of the LT4 blower anyway, so why pay that much more for the factory FI to begin with.

You can get high flow cats or even a complete SS/ZL1 factory exhaust for next to nothing to pass smog (neighbor does that for his 5th gen here, another CARB state), I don't think that would be a major factor.

LT4Greg · 03-29-2020, 09:42 AM

It all depends on how much more money you want to spend on your 2017! Before I found and bought my ZL1 I was seriously thinking about adding a supercharger to my 2016 2SS and some different wheels either factory 1LE or ZL1 takeoffs or even aftermarket and exhaust but after adding all the costs up for the upgrades it would be better to buy a ZL1 to be cost effective. All total for the parts I listed was going to be at least $12,000 or more and I was going to let Vengeance Racing do most of the work to my 3 year old 2016. I originally paid around $43,000 and change for the 2016 and added up all the costs I was going to have $53 to 54,000 total in the 2016 and buying the 2017 ZL1 for about $52,000 was a better deal for me. Emotions aside, but you have to decide and cost compare if you want to put more money in your 2017 SS or upgrade to a used ZL1 like I did and in no way am I promoting a ZL1 over the SS! I’m just giving you my perspective on my experience. Good luck!

1hprush · 03-29-2020, 10:03 AM

Why put the money into a car, that you won't get back, and sounds like you are going too sell anyway. Get the ZL1, save time, money and frustration.

Hawaiiboy510 · 03-29-2020, 09:22 PM

Thank you for the great advice. ZL1 it is

Hawaiiboy510 · 03-29-2020, 09:23 PM

ZL1 it is!!! Thanks

GuywithL86 · 03-30-2020, 07:27 AM

The key to success in the car game = light mods only

Once you go heavy mods, you probably should have bought a faster car. Not only does it not cost any more, its more reliable and the car has more value.

Exception....the 1000hp game as buying a mclaren 720s is a whole lot more expensive than a 1000hp camaro.

Hawaiiboy510 · 04-01-2020, 05:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuywithL86

The key to success in the car game = light mods only

Once you go heavy mods, you probably should have bought a faster car. Not only does it not cost any more, its more reliable and the car has more value.

Exception....the 1000hp game as buying a mclaren 720s is a whole lot more expensive than a 1000hp camaro.

fair enough. So ZL1 it is

03-29-2020, 02:22 AM	#1
Hawaiiboy510 Drives: Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Oakland California Posts: 16	Stick with my 2017 Camaro SS or trade up to a 2018 or newer ZL1 As you can tell by the tittle you can see where this discussion is going. I currently have a 2017 Chevy Camaro SS really good car no problems (knock on wood) The mods I have are Rotofab cai, ported intake manifold, 95MM throttle body, Kooks headers no cats,new spark plugs, new thermostat, e85 kit stock x-pipe and flowmaster axle back exhaust which makes 485rwhp I also lowered it with eibach lowering srpings and have Hre flowform wheels.I have recently started taking my car to the car and was wondering if it was smart for me to trade up to a ZL1 or just stay with my SS and keep building it? Things to comside I live in Cali so when it comes time ill have to figure out how to pass smog on my SS and my SS is already too loud for some tracks so ill have to find a way to quiet it down anyway. Thank you guys for your time I look forward to hearing from you guys have a good day

03-29-2020, 08:24 AM	#4
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,809	I would trade up to a used ZL1 over doing any more mods to your SS! The ZL1 would have probably 100 or more hp than what you have now that’s a complete package from Chevy. I upgraded last year from a 2016 2SS to a slightly used 2017 ZL1 and couldn’t be happier with my choice! __________________ 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.

03-29-2020, 08:45 AM	#5
arpad_m Drives: 2018 Camaro 2SS A8 Join Date: Jul 2017 Location: East Tennessee Posts: 11,574 View My Garage	Not easy, but I'd try to keep emotions out of this and do a cold hard calculation, given the choice is between two amazing cars anyway. Basically, if you want 540-560 rwhp with a warranty, the obvious choice is ZL1. Now, ZL1 and ZL1 1LE owners will obviously tell you to get one , but I'd simply write up all the pros and contras for both choices, with costs, plus my honest personal preferences (say, how much money I have for the upgrade, how important warranty is for me, how much power do I really want, how many miles max on a used ZL1, color, acceptable mods, max distance to travel for the car etc.) and then make a decision. Also, consider that the basic price difference between the SS and the ZL1 is roughly $20k ($45k vs $65k new, $30-35k vs $50-55k used), but, say, if you want more power, you'll get rid of the LT4 blower anyway, so why pay that much more for the factory FI to begin with. You can get high flow cats or even a complete SS/ZL1 factory exhaust for next to nothing to pass smog (neighbor does that for his 5th gen here, another CARB state), I don't think that would be a major factor. __________________ 2018 Camaro 2SS — G7E MX0 NPP F55 IO6 735 rwhp \| 665 rwtq Magnuson TVS 2300 80mm pulley \| Kooks 1 7/8" LT headers \| JRE smooth idle terminator cam \| LT4 FS & injectors \| TSP forged pistons & rods JMS PowerMAX \| DSX flex fuel kit \| Roto-Fab CAI \| Soler 95mm LT5 TB \| 1LE wheels \| 1LE brakes \| BMR rear cradle lockout \| JRE custom tune 1100 - 1/30/18 \| 2000 - 1/31/18 3000 - 2/06/18 TPW 2/26/18 3400 - 2/19/18 \| 3800 - 2/26/18 4300 - 2/27/18 \| 4B00 - 3/01/18 4200 - 3/05/18 \| 4800 - 3/14/18 5000 - 3/16/18 \| 6000 - 3/19/18

03-29-2020, 09:42 AM	#6
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,809	It all depends on how much more money you want to spend on your 2017! Before I found and bought my ZL1 I was seriously thinking about adding a supercharger to my 2016 2SS and some different wheels either factory 1LE or ZL1 takeoffs or even aftermarket and exhaust but after adding all the costs up for the upgrades it would be better to buy a ZL1 to be cost effective. All total for the parts I listed was going to be at least $12,000 or more and I was going to let Vengeance Racing do most of the work to my 3 year old 2016. I originally paid around $43,000 and change for the 2016 and added up all the costs I was going to have $53 to 54,000 total in the 2016 and buying the 2017 ZL1 for about $52,000 was a better deal for me. Emotions aside, but you have to decide and cost compare if you want to put more money in your 2017 SS or upgrade to a used ZL1 like I did and in no way am I promoting a ZL1 over the SS! I’m just giving you my perspective on my experience. Good luck! __________________ 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.

03-29-2020, 03:35 AM	#2
Need4Camaro Drives: '17 Camaro 2SS & '99 Camaro Z28 Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 1,836	depends. If you want ZL1 power or want to go F.I. - ZL1. Less Headaches, warrantied, all the homework done for you and the costs will be fairly similar. If you're content with the SS and don't go F.I. then keep it. For what its worth my SS is still stock and I'm still very pleased with it.

03-29-2020, 10:03 AM	#7
1hprush 2018 ZL1 1LE Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Westfield, IN Posts: 1,010	Why put the money into a car, that you won't get back, and sounds like you are going too sell anyway. Get the ZL1, save time, money and frustration.

03-29-2020, 09:22 PM	#8
Hawaiiboy510 Drives: Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Oakland California Posts: 16	Thank you for the great advice. ZL1 it is

03-29-2020, 09:23 PM	#9
Hawaiiboy510 Drives: Camaro SS Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Oakland California Posts: 16	ZL1 it is!!! Thanks

03-30-2020, 07:27 AM	#10
GuywithL86 Drives: Black Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Nj Posts: 440	The key to success in the car game = light mods only Once you go heavy mods, you probably should have bought a faster car. Not only does it not cost any more, its more reliable and the car has more value. Exception....the 1000hp game as buying a mclaren 720s is a whole lot more expensive than a 1000hp camaro.

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