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Old 04-18-2026, 09:24 AM   #1
Glow01
 
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Gen 6 1SS to Gen 5 ZL1, upgrade or downgrade?

I enjoy my 1SS (6-speed manual) a ton, it's a total thrill to drive. But I sometimes think about upgrading to a Gen 6 ZL1, just not sure if it makes sense budget wise in my life right now.

I've seen a few generation 5 Camaro ZL1s with a 6 speed manual that tempt me price wise (and good mileage!)

The specs for the Gen5 ZL1 show a slower 0-60 time than the Gen6 1SS online? How, with 100 more bhp? I guess gearing, weight, powerband and all that stuff, but is what I'm reading correct?

Would I really be trading a faster N/A V8 for a slower supercharged V8 if I was to go that route?

What about handling, straight line stability and such?
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Old 04-18-2026, 11:20 AM   #2
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Depends on what you're after and if you want to mod it I guess.
I personally skipped over the 5th gens because they are big fat dogs going down the 1/4 mile in stock form. Even if modded they still have all that pig blubber lol unless you want to dump a bunch of money in weight reduction.
I'd stay with the 6th gen.
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Old 04-18-2026, 02:42 PM   #3
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Pretty noticeable downgrade in handling, if you like to really throw your SS around now. I've never tried driving a bone stock 5th gen ZL1, just one with light power mods, and it was quick, but not a whole different world from my 6th gen SS when judged by the butt dyno. Very different in handling and road feel. I personally would not make the change, as there would be too much of a loss in handling and tech, but you may have different wants.
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Old 04-18-2026, 03:03 PM   #4
AZCamaroFan
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it's several hundred pound heavier than a 6thgen. for me i prefer the newer, ligher chassis.
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Old 04-18-2026, 04:44 PM   #5
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If you don’t care about handleing do it. First off, they run the same ET’s so I’m not sure where you’re seeing they are slower. 5th gen ZL1’s and 6th gen SS’s trap about the same, maybe a slight edge to the 5th gen ZL1.

5th gen ZL1 is a wayyyyyyyyyyyy cheaper platform to mod and you can make stupid power in them for not much money.

Do you want a well balanced sports car or an overpowered muscle car is what you have to ask yourself. Pm me if you have questions, I just made a similar switch. The 6th gen will ride nice fyi.
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Old 04-19-2026, 02:32 AM   #6
ariZona28
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As a 5th Gen owner I'd say moving from a 6th Gen SS to a 5th Gen ZL1 is not necessarily an upgrade or downgrade but a move over to an earlier version. Keep in mind the 5th Gen ZL1 was designed by Al Oppenheiser so any doubt of its performance capabilities can be cast aside. The car did a 7:41 Nurburgring time that's still impressive even by today's standards. What you'd be stepping into would be a car that is very well built with a bulletproof drivetrain. Plenty of creature comforts and stunning good looks. If you can find one to test drive and you can really wring it out I think you'd be pretty impressed.
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Old 04-19-2026, 02:43 AM   #7
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Basically a 5th Gen ZL1 = a 6th Gen SS in performance... But the 6th Gen will handle better on the track...
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Old 04-19-2026, 08:48 AM   #8
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The 6th gen vs 5th gen SS are basically 200lb difference (1ss-1ss). So a normal sized male passenger. ZL1s are 400lbs heavier than the 6th gen. ZL1s will dyno high 400whp to low 500whp. Coming from the 1LE platform and having both a 5th gen 1LE and 6th gen 1LE. The 6th gen is definitely a more solid feeling car. 6th gen definitely handles better as well. Performance wise my car FBO would run door to door with my wifes stock A10 1LE. Heads cam my car would run with gutted FBO A8 6th gens. As far as a DD goes. 5th gen all day. Way better touring car, its more comfortable than the 6th gen. As far as modding goes, 5th gen is cheaper.

You already have a 6th gen keep it. If you're getting bored with it...... mod it.
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Old 04-19-2026, 03:37 PM   #9
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stupid question, but since we are talking ZL1:

I "thought" our SS was gonna be a GQ, but it has become a DD since the weather got warmer.

I have a 1SS - which is a GREAT car....however, it does NOT have Adaptive/Automatic cruise control

(both of our other DD's have it, and we have two 7 mile stretches of two lane with Semi's on the road. so it's more annoying than you would think to have to mash the gas & brake (first world problems, right?) it's a few hours a day, and Adaptive cruise control is right beside Beer & Pizza for best invention ever.

I have friend looking for Camaro, he is leaning toward a ZL1 convertible.
but he will get bored with it in 6 months (he hates playing "garage tetris" to get a car out, and he has a tiny drive way.

if he wants to dump that ZL1 cheap in a few months.
should I sell my 1SS and buy his ZL1 just for the 2SS stuff?
I will probably keep a camaro convertible for the rest of my life, so the ZL1 could be more of a collector it.

IDC about the ZL1, I don't need 650hp on tap. i got two $1000 tickets in one stop in my pickup.

do all ZL1's have the 2SS luxury package of heated/cooled seats, Adaptive Cruise, and side-scan radar (you don't realize how much you depend on that either)

back on this thread: I think my 4th Gen was more comfortable than my 6th Gen.'
I am taking the Run Flats off soon to see how much that helps.
if my 6th Gen SS runs over a penny, my wife tells me if it was heads or tails.
its a stiff ride.
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Old 04-19-2026, 04:19 PM   #10
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Ditch those crappy runflats, get some decent summer tires and then ask your wife if she even feels those dimes anymore

No Camaro has adaptive cruise control, GM must have saved a couple bucks on not including it even though there is a front camera and frontal collision warning is supported in the 6th gen refresh (2019+).

Yes, the ZL1 has everything that the 2SS does (I assume you've been talking about a 6th gen ZL1 all along). If your friend does get a 6th gen vert ZL1 and dumps it real cheap, I'd latch onto that deal like a starved tick.

Quote:
Originally Posted by 2023-SS View Post
stupid question, but since we are talking ZL1:

I "thought" our SS was gonna be a GQ, but it has become a DD since the weather got warmer.

I have a 1SS - which is a GREAT car....however, it does NOT have Adaptive/Automatic cruise control

(both of our other DD's have it, and we have two 7 mile stretches of two lane with Semi's on the road. so it's more annoying than you would think to have to mash the gas & brake (first world problems, right?) it's a few hours a day, and Adaptive cruise control is right beside Beer & Pizza for best invention ever.

I have friend looking for Camaro, he is leaning toward a ZL1 convertible.
but he will get bored with it in 6 months (he hates playing "garage tetris" to get a car out, and he has a tiny drive way.

if he wants to dump that ZL1 cheap in a few months.
should I sell my 1SS and buy his ZL1 just for the 2SS stuff?
I will probably keep a camaro convertible for the rest of my life, so the ZL1 could be more of a collector it.

IDC about the ZL1, I don't need 650hp on tap. i got two $1000 tickets in one stop in my pickup.

do all ZL1's have the 2SS luxury package of heated/cooled seats, Adaptive Cruise, and side-scan radar (you don't realize how much you depend on that either)

back on this thread: I think my 4th Gen was more comfortable than my 6th Gen.'
I am taking the Run Flats off soon to see how much that helps.
if my 6th Gen SS runs over a penny, my wife tells me if it was heads or tails.
its a stiff ride.
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Old 04-19-2026, 05:00 PM   #11
SS_Don

 
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 2023-SS View Post
stupid question, but since we are talking ZL1:

I "thought" our SS was gonna be a GQ, but it has become a DD since the weather got warmer.

I have a 1SS - which is a GREAT car....however, it does NOT have Adaptive/Automatic cruise control

(both of our other DD's have it, and we have two 7 mile stretches of two lane with Semi's on the road. so it's more annoying than you would think to have to mash the gas & brake (first world problems, right?) it's a few hours a day, and Adaptive cruise control is right beside Beer & Pizza for best invention ever.

I have friend looking for Camaro, he is leaning toward a ZL1 convertible.
but he will get bored with it in 6 months (he hates playing "garage tetris" to get a car out, and he has a tiny drive way.

if he wants to dump that ZL1 cheap in a few months.
should I sell my 1SS and buy his ZL1 just for the 2SS stuff?
I will probably keep a camaro convertible for the rest of my life, so the ZL1 could be more of a collector it.

IDC about the ZL1, I don't need 650hp on tap. i got two $1000 tickets in one stop in my pickup.

do all ZL1's have the 2SS luxury package of heated/cooled seats, Adaptive Cruise, and side-scan radar (you don't realize how much you depend on that either)

back on this thread: I think my 4th Gen was more comfortable than my 6th Gen.'
I am taking the Run Flats off soon to see how much that helps.
if my 6th Gen SS runs over a penny, my wife tells me if it was heads or tails.
its a stiff ride.
I have a '22 2SS and it does not have adaptive CC. To my knowledge adaptive CC was not available in any Camaro.
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Last edited by SS_Don; 04-24-2026 at 03:39 PM.
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Old 04-22-2026, 06:20 PM   #12
Bosse'sBoss

 
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Wink Owned both

Hi,
I think I can give you a good opinion of both since I owned them.
- 5th gen Camaro ZL1. A great looking muscle car, better looking than the 6th gen Camaro SS, way better rear seat space, the 6th gen rear seat is useless for adults. Very strong 580 hp SC engine but heavy. I compared it to a C7 Corvette Z51 460 HP both felt similarly fast because the Stingray was lighter and more aerodinamic. Very rare to see a ZL1 in the street, base Camaros are everywhere. The ZL1 was an attention getter, even people asked me to open the hood to see the engine.
-6th gen Camaro, the best designed generation, very light and a great handling car because of its Alpha chassis. If you like the driving of a BMW M sport car, you will love the 6th gen Camaro SS, very common to see them in the street, unless is a ZL1 or SS1LE. For looks, strong powertrain, better rear seat, and resale value: the 5th gen ZL1.
For a very well-balanced sport car: the 6th gen Camaro.
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Old 04-22-2026, 06:40 PM   #13
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Thumbs up

By the way the best 5th gen ZL1 year to get: '14-'15, Supercharger was improved on those years, more reliable.
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Old 04-22-2026, 07:25 PM   #14
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I feel like you would be settling if you dont get both.
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