19 ZL1, Idle too tame

TinCorvette · 02-26-2021, 07:04 PM

For an engine making this kind of HP, the factory must be using some type of "lumpy" cam to get the most out of boost, etc. But, the idle sounds too smooth. Has anyone tuned to get a more suitable "hunting" idle? If so, is starting more difficult? Does the motor "surge" at parking lot speeds?
My 650 HP C6 Vette idle has a LOT more personality.
Thanks

passwords · 02-26-2021, 08:01 PM

Maybe something like this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C1eT6p5LJUI. WeaponX Stage 2.

No doubt, for a true muscle car enthusiast these cars need a better cam and exhaust sound. I miss my Camaro from high school in the late 80s, I built that motor in my parent’s garage when I was 15 and it had the best idle lump. Man, memories... The new ZL1s have a great sound at WOT, but they’re disappointing at idle. I’m pretty sure GM was more concerned with track times than idle sound, so I’m curious to know how that WeaponX stage 2 can affects IATs, power curve, etc. Anyone here do a cam swap with before and after track data?

I’m sure you could get a better idle sound with some tune inputs but I’m not sure that’s how I would try to get that cam/compression lump.

Alain · 02-26-2021, 08:04 PM

I couldn't agree with this more !! This car sounds nothing like what it is at idle or even at cruising speed.

It is the ONLY complaint I have about this car. In my opinion, sound is such an important part of the driving experience.

Smokin19 · 02-27-2021, 05:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by passwords

Maybe something like this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C1eT6p5LJUI. WeaponX Stage 2.

No doubt, for a true muscle car enthusiast these cars need a better cam and exhaust sound. I miss my Camaro from high school in the late 80s, I built that motor in my parent’s garage when I was 15 and it had the best idle lump. Man, memories... The new ZL1s have a great sound at WOT, but they’re disappointing at idle. I’m pretty sure GM was more concerned with track times than idle sound, so I’m curious to know how that WeaponX stage 2 can affects IATs, power curve, etc. Anyone here do a cam swap with before and after track data?

I’m sure you could get a better idle sound with some tune inputs but I’m not sure that’s how I would try to get that cam/compression lump.

No cam with a stg 2 from WeaponX, need to go to stg 5 to get that sound and cam.

Z OH 6 · 02-27-2021, 06:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smokin19

No cam with a stg 2 from WeaponX, need to go to stg 5 to get that sound and cam.

He meant a stage 2 cam from WeaponX, not stage 2 package.

LT4Greg · 02-27-2021, 08:06 AM

You will have to change the cam for a more aggressive one if you want a different sound and choppy idle. The Weapon X cam is good and Vengeance Racing has a good one too. Your LS3 in your C6 Corvette is a different beast than the LT4. Obviously it has been modded to get 650 hp and our LT4s have 650 hp from the factory and were designed to run smoothly and get decent gas mileage with the supercharger. You could do what many ZL1 owners here have done and get a package deal from Weapon X, Vengeance and other companies with the cam, headers, other parts and of course tuning to get your ZL1 to the next hp level.��

CW3SF · 02-27-2021, 09:32 AM

I came from a Gen II Viper. In those cars the OEM idle is also very smooth and docile. But you can swap out the 1.6 ratio OEM rocker arms for a set of 1.7 aftermarkets, pick up a handful of HP and it chops majorly at idle. Most people who hear it can’t believe it’s the stock cam. I wonder if something like that’s possible with these cars?

Stock cam

http://youtu.be/yInJ_k5rKoE

2018ZL1 · 02-27-2021, 10:04 AM

I agree with these cars sounding tame for what they are!

Here is a clip of what mine sounds like after I added a cam.

Paintslinger16 · 02-27-2021, 10:17 AM

Your car sounds awesome

SJFGTO · 02-27-2021, 10:17 AM

The lobe design, lift and duration of a FI cam is going to give a much smoother idle than a traditional “muscle car” cam. That is by design. But, as mentioned above, the aftermarket has a number of cams designed to work with FI but produce a more choppy idle. I have heard the offerings from Vengeance and they sound nasty, yet compliment the FI system just fine. A quality dyno/street tune is a must, however.

gtfoxy · 02-27-2021, 10:47 AM

I like the sound of a more aggressively cammed motor, but I’m actually contemplating doing a stock duration LLSR in the future.

Add:OP, Stock duration is in the 190* range. Valve curtain, lift, valve angle/ size, port velocity/ flow rate, firing order & chamber design all play a very big part in the power these motors make. The LS was a leap ahead of the old SBC in head design & the LT’s are a good jump ahead of those.

Z OH 6 · 02-27-2021, 10:48 AM

Vengeance stage 3 cam if you have a manual, stage 2 cam if you have an auto.

JSH · 02-27-2021, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinCorvette

For an engine making this kind of HP, the factory must be using some type of "lumpy" cam to get the most out of boost, etc. But, the idle sounds too smooth. Has anyone tuned to get a more suitable "hunting" idle? If so, is starting more difficult? Does the motor "surge" at parking lot speeds?
My 650 HP C6 Vette idle has a LOT more personality.
Thanks

There's no substitute for a lumpy aftermarket camshaft idle such as mine

jvandy50 · 02-27-2021, 04:18 PM

my fix for the stock idle was a cam also

02-26-2021, 07:04 PM	#1
TinCorvette Drives: 2019 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2019 Location: Naples FL Posts: 3	19 ZL1, Idle too tame For an engine making this kind of HP, the factory must be using some type of "lumpy" cam to get the most out of boost, etc. But, the idle sounds too smooth. Has anyone tuned to get a more suitable "hunting" idle? If so, is starting more difficult? Does the motor "surge" at parking lot speeds? My 650 HP C6 Vette idle has a LOT more personality. Thanks

02-26-2021, 08:04 PM	#3
Alain Drives: 2016 Challenger Hellcat, 2018 ZL1LE Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Northern NJ Posts: 3,003	I couldn't agree with this more !! This car sounds nothing like what it is at idle or even at cruising speed. It is the ONLY complaint I have about this car. In my opinion, sound is such an important part of the driving experience. __________________ 2016 Challenger Hellcat /B5 blue/Sepia interior/Brass Monkey Wheels/ 2018 ZL1 1LE/Red hot 2019 Shellby GT 350R/ Oxford white/ Matte Black Stripes/ Carbon Fiber Dash/ Electronics Package #413

02-27-2021, 08:06 AM	#6
LT4Greg Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016 Location: Georgia Posts: 5,813	You will have to change the cam for a more aggressive one if you want a different sound and choppy idle. The Weapon X cam is good and Vengeance Racing has a good one too. Your LS3 in your C6 Corvette is a different beast than the LT4. Obviously it has been modded to get 650 hp and our LT4s have 650 hp from the factory and were designed to run smoothly and get decent gas mileage with the supercharger. You could do what many ZL1 owners here have done and get a package deal from Weapon X, Vengeance and other companies with the cam, headers, other parts and of course tuning to get your ZL1 to the next hp level.�� __________________ 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.

02-27-2021, 09:32 AM	#7
CW3SF Drives: 2019 Chevy Camaro ZL1 M6 Join Date: Jul 2019 Location: Sea level Posts: 1,252 View My Garage	I came from a Gen II Viper. In those cars the OEM idle is also very smooth and docile. But you can swap out the 1.6 ratio OEM rocker arms for a set of 1.7 aftermarkets, pick up a handful of HP and it chops majorly at idle. Most people who hear it can’t believe it’s the stock cam. I wonder if something like that’s possible with these cars? Stock cam http://youtu.be/yInJ_k5rKoE __________________ Kong Stage X Port, NW103, LPE HPFP, XDI +30 Injectors, ARH Headers, Flex Fuel, JMS Booster, AWE Touring, Elite E2-X CC. Stock heads, stock cam, stock pulleys: Tuned by KingLT1. 740whp Uncorrected on e50

02-27-2021, 10:17 AM	#10
SJFGTO Oh Oh it's Friday Night! Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Nightfall Gray Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Walton Woods Posts: 1,061	The lobe design, lift and duration of a FI cam is going to give a much smoother idle than a traditional “muscle car” cam. That is by design. But, as mentioned above, the aftermarket has a number of cams designed to work with FI but produce a more choppy idle. I have heard the offerings from Vengeance and they sound nasty, yet compliment the FI system just fine. A quality dyno/street tune is a must, however. __________________ 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE NFG; ARH 2” headers, catless mids, ARH full exhaust, Lingenfelter 18% lower pulley, ATI Harmonic Balancer, Roto-fab CAI, EE-catch can, TM ported TB, NX Lid, BMR strut tower brace. Aeroforce dual pod interceptor gauges. Tuned by Vengeance Racing!!! 644 HP @ 6250 rpm / 689 trq @ 3660 rpm Four that wanna own me Two that wanna stone me One says she's a friend of mine...

02-26-2021, 08:01 PM	#2
passwords Drives: 2019 ZLE, 2019 GT350R Join Date: Apr 2020 Location: Denver Posts: 32	Maybe something like this: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=C1eT6p5LJUI. WeaponX Stage 2. No doubt, for a true muscle car enthusiast these cars need a better cam and exhaust sound. I miss my Camaro from high school in the late 80s, I built that motor in my parent’s garage when I was 15 and it had the best idle lump. Man, memories... The new ZL1s have a great sound at WOT, but they’re disappointing at idle. I’m pretty sure GM was more concerned with track times than idle sound, so I’m curious to know how that WeaponX stage 2 can affects IATs, power curve, etc. Anyone here do a cam swap with before and after track data? I’m sure you could get a better idle sound with some tune inputs but I’m not sure that’s how I would try to get that cam/compression lump.

02-27-2021, 10:47 AM	#11
gtfoxy Account Suspended Drives: '21 Wild Cherry ZL1 Join Date: Aug 2018 Location: WI Posts: 2,082	I like the sound of a more aggressively cammed motor, but I’m actually contemplating doing a stock duration LLSR in the future. Add:OP, Stock duration is in the 190* range. Valve curtain, lift, valve angle/ size, port velocity/ flow rate, firing order & chamber design all play a very big part in the power these motors make. The LS was a leap ahead of the old SBC in head design & the LT’s are a good jump ahead of those. Last edited by gtfoxy; 02-27-2021 at 12:11 PM.

02-27-2021, 10:48 AM	#12
Z OH 6 Drives: 2021 Red Hot ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2020 Location: Gapplebees Posts: 3,082	Vengeance stage 3 cam if you have a manual, stage 2 cam if you have an auto.

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