Thinking about a ZL1, but why are they soo.. slow?

TheFleshRocket

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I'm window-shopping for a replacement for my '04 Cobra to do street and roadcourse duty. No solid-axle cars, so GT500s are out. Needs to be factory supercharged, so '15+ GT and GT350 are out. Needs to have a back seat, so the Vette and Viper are out. Which pretty much leaves the Camaro ZL1.

The ZL1 is very impressive around a roadcouse, doing extremely well in Car & Driver's Lightning Lap. But most media / magazine tests show the ZL1 doing the 1/4 in the high 11s at low 120s. That's what pullied Cobras are supposed to run. Mine's got a (poorly tuned) TVS on it so it ought to be even quicker than that. So, I'm hesitant to go spending $50K+ on a car that might be slower (on the street) than my Cobra.

What do you guys think? How's a street-driven ZL1 going to feel, power-wise, compared to a VMPed Cobra?
 

Voltwings

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Most factory cars cant... Why not an NA car if you're concerned with lapping, most superchargers have incredibly high diminishing returns in terms of lap speed. Now, if you're just going out there to Hoon I cant really blame you... no one necessarily likes the guy just drag racing between the corners, but to each his own.
 

TheFleshRocket

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Most factory cars cant... Why not an NA car if you're concerned with lapping, most superchargers have incredibly high diminishing returns in terms of lap speed. Now, if you're just going out there to Hoon I cant really blame you... no one necessarily likes the guy just drag racing between the corners, but to each his own.

I like the supercharger for the torque everywhere that a NA car doesn't have and the instant torque that a turbo car doesn't have. It makes for a better street driving experience.

The ZL1 turned a 2:50 at VIR, which is in the top-10 fastest lap times Car & Driver has ever recorded at that track. It's definitely not a "park it in the corners" kind of car.
 

RedVenom48

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Kenne Bell your Cobra, install poly bushings in your suspension. Upgrade cooling system. Be lighter and in a car people still love to see than a ZL1. I am admittedly not a Camaro fan, but the ZL1 is a much heavier car than a Terminator.
 

blk02edge

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Id buy a pp2 gt and put a tvs on it. Not much is going to compete with ZL1 otherwise
 

csvt98

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I'm not sure why you wouldn't look at a Viper. You're in the same predicament I was in.

I wanted something that was a monster on the street and also on the track. Gen IV ACR. 641/603. Done.
You do H/C on your Viper for those numbers? Most FBO G4's are around 620 rwhp at most that I have seen. I do second this notion, except it seems he wants to keep 4 seats. Going to the 2-seat class also brings in the C7Z, which I would chose over all of those except for track playing. I think a ZL1 is a good compromise, one with an A10 would be quick and fun. Intake/Mamo TB/exhaust will pick up a little power as well without voiding warranty.
 

sono

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I think it's a question of cheap internals. Not sure why they build them without forged internals. Seems like they would be kicking a lot of ass for an extra 2-3k in parts.
 

13COBRA

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You do H/C on your Viper for those numbers? Most FBO G4's are around 620 rwhp at most that I have seen. I do second this notion, except it seems he wants to keep 4 seats. Going to the 2-seat class also brings in the C7Z, which I would chose over all of those except for track playing. I think a ZL1 is a good compromise, one with an A10 would be quick and fun. Intake/Mamo TB/exhaust will pick up a little power as well without voiding warranty.

Nope. I think with a H/C package it'd be in the 680-690 range.

Gen V intake, full custom exhaust (headers back), MOPAR ECU w/Dick Winkles' extreme tune, 10% lower underdrive pulley, stock 3.07 rear end on 93 octane.
 

Silverstrike

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Love that he says he needs a backseat and yet everyone says oh get a Viper or Vette.

The biggest thing is the weight and the fact that the ZL-1 has larger and wider wheels and tires over the 03 Cobra so a lot of rolling mass on each corner for the Camaro.

Curb weight for a 2003/04 is about 3700 lbs vs almost 4000 lbs for the 2017 ZL-1
 
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Serpent

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I would not recommend a Viper to a Termie guy.

Termie guy logic is using magazine accomplished times on newer car and compare it to a car that has been out X amount of years thats also modded and be disappointed with the newer better car. LOL

Also:
The ZL1 turned a 2:50 at VIR, which is in the top-10 fastest lap times Car & Driver has ever recorded at that track. It's definitely not a "park it in the corners" kind of car.
1 super fast lap doesnt mean it can do that same time lap after lap. There are hard core track guys that heatsoak their ZL1. its the supercharger and weight that is slowing it down.
 

csvt98

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C6 Z06 is my vote...I went from a whippled 03 Cobra to a Z and I don’t regret it one bit


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Sweet, another Z guy in SC lol. I am down in Sumter right now. The C6Z is an animal stock and when you go HCIE.

Nope. I think with a H/C package it'd be in the 680-690 range.

Gen V intake, full custom exhaust (headers back), MOPAR ECU w/Dick Winkles' extreme tune, 10% lower underdrive pulley, stock 3.07 rear end on 93 octane.
I got you, sounds about right. Viper's are awesome NA cars, those and C6Z's.
 

HudsonFalcon

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I'm window-shopping for a replacement for my '04 Cobra to do street and roadcourse duty. No solid-axle cars, so GT500s are out. Needs to be factory supercharged, so '15+ GT and GT350 are out. Needs to have a back seat, so the Vette and Viper are out. Which pretty much leaves the Camaro ZL1.

The ZL1 is very impressive around a roadcouse, doing extremely well in Car & Driver's Lightning Lap. But most media / magazine tests show the ZL1 doing the 1/4 in the high 11s at low 120s. That's what pullied Cobras are supposed to run. Mine's got a (poorly tuned) TVS on it so it ought to be even quicker than that. So, I'm hesitant to go spending $50K+ on a car that might be slower (on the street) than my Cobra.

What do you guys think? How's a street-driven ZL1 going to feel, power-wise, compared to a VMPed Cobra?

If you're not in a hurry the new GT500 should be out in 6 or 7 years.
 

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