Considering a used ZL1 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Chrispy · 11-26-2014, 07:10 AM

Hi folks,

I've decided on picking up a fifth gen and am having an internal debate on what to do. I've owned four heavily modified fourth gens previously, a 99 C5 and a 2012 CTS V wagon among other performance cars.

This will be a third car / weekend ride and one I plan to keep long term as a retirement toy. For motorsports I plan to primarily drag race and do lapping / autocross days.

Here are the two options I'm considering:

- Pick up a low mile used ZL1 and putting on a JRE 75RWHP no tune kit (or similar) and run DRs

- Pick up a 2014 or 2015 1SS 1LE with Recaros, NPP and BA and look at adding a heartbeat blower kit, JBA offroads, DRs and tune

Target ET is 11.50 on drag radials so I won't get any grief from the tracks. (I still have DR's/wheels from my CTS V wagon)

Right now I'm leaning towards the ZL1 option given how robust the entire drivetrain is and may actually go for the automatic. (I've always had six speed manual cars but that's another discussion)

If I do go for the ZL1 what would you recommend I do when shopping for the car? I was planning on having carfax and service history run, have a leakdown and compression test performed, look for signs of pulley removal etc. Any other things to watch out for?

Thanks in advance for your help. There's a nice black 2013 for sale locally with only 5K miles on it. It's a loaded auto with sunroof (I'd actually prefer no roof but it's not a showstopper) Planning to check out the car this week.

Cheers,
Chris

sbubbaklein · 11-26-2014, 07:29 AM

that local car sounds good. Black is timeless and you wont get tired of the color. Shopping local saves some travel money that you can put towards mods.

Bigtime53 · 11-26-2014, 07:50 AM

If you plan on tracking the car and drag racing it alot of the guys on here say the sunroof causes a problem when wearing a helmet. I say get the ZL1 because it is track ready and so much easier to modify and not as costly as the other cars you ask about if you choose to do so. Good luck with which ever one you choose and post up some pics after you buy one.

Chrispy · 11-26-2014, 08:18 AM

Thanks guys...that's my big concern with the sunroof as well. I'm actually going to bring my helmet when I check out the car and see if I smack my head against the liner/sunroof

JamesZL1 · 11-26-2014, 08:19 AM

I have a Black 2013 A6 with the Sunroof (and all other options). I love this CAR! See if they have done the Supercharger TSB on it. Listen to the blower, if you can hear what sounds like marbles in a can, make them replace the S/C before you buy it...I agree with Bigtime53, Buy the ZL1 platform, thats what you want to start modifying from, plus if you like Auto-X, the ZL1 has the best suspension stock out of the box. Hey, your on a ZL1 Forum, you think we are going to tell you to buy anything else...lol

Six.Two SC · 11-26-2014, 03:20 PM

Sure you want an automatic?

Todd in Vancouver · 11-26-2014, 03:37 PM

ZL1 for sure. Better diff, axles, suspension for tuning at drag, autocross, tour. Its a rock solid car so not much to go wrong.

Chrispy · 11-26-2014, 03:50 PM

Thanks guys...You've convinced me on the ZL1. Thanks for the tip on the blower TSB I had forgotten about that.

I'm on the fence about the auto versus manual. My V wagon was a manual. (All my race cars have been manual except for one Z-28 back in 94)

I'll test drive both and then decide. I'm sure the ZL1 would feel very similar to the V Wagon from a trans/clutch/shifting perspective.

Here's a vid of me in the V. (Went a best of 11.85@120mph in that car with Airraid and DRs only)

Cheers,
Chris

Six.Two SC · 11-26-2014, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chrispy

Thanks guys...You've convinced me on the ZL1. Thanks for the tip on the blower TSB I had forgotten about that.

I'm on the fence about the auto versus manual. My V wagon was a manual. (All my race cars have been manual except for one Z-28 back in 94)

I'll test drive both and then decide. I'm sure the ZL1 would feel very similar to the V Wagon from a trans/clutch/shifting perspective.

Here's a vid of me in the V. (Went a best of 11.85@120mph in that car with Airraid and DRs only)

Cheers,
Chris

Very fast shifting! Nice job.

ZL155 · 11-27-2014, 12:46 AM

No brainer, get the ZL1 ..There are some with STOCK autos running 11.50's on stock meat ....
Put that 75 rwhp package on an auto, guarantee you be smashing low 11's with stock tires..
Nothing wrong with the auto, it definitely has it's pluses ...but man it's biggest negative is BOREDOM!!

Check out the link in my post below...
Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

ZL155 · 11-27-2014, 12:49 AM

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385642

New best for my stock ZL1

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

Chrispy · 11-27-2014, 11:54 AM

Thanks guys. Checked out a ZL1 with a sunroof and it won't work. Helmet won't clear. (I'm 6 foot 1)

I'll keep looking around...still on fence between auto and manual so will check out both.

Nice runs, I used to live in Maryland and raced at Cecil, MIR, Capitol and 75&80. Nothing like Cecil or MIR in November!

Six.Two SC · 11-27-2014, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZL155

but man it's biggest negative is BOREDOM!!

Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

Yes, exactly. No thanks. Also, if you don't mind hearing a letdown when asked about the tranny...lol

ckosiek · 11-27-2014, 07:35 PM

Interested in a convertible?
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385574

11-26-2014, 07:10 AM	#1
Chrispy 11.91 ET Bone stock Drives: 2015 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 353	Considering a used ZL1 Hi folks, I've decided on picking up a fifth gen and am having an internal debate on what to do. I've owned four heavily modified fourth gens previously, a 99 C5 and a 2012 CTS V wagon among other performance cars. This will be a third car / weekend ride and one I plan to keep long term as a retirement toy. For motorsports I plan to primarily drag race and do lapping / autocross days. Here are the two options I'm considering: - Pick up a low mile used ZL1 and putting on a JRE 75RWHP no tune kit (or similar) and run DRs - Pick up a 2014 or 2015 1SS 1LE with Recaros, NPP and BA and look at adding a heartbeat blower kit, JBA offroads, DRs and tune Target ET is 11.50 on drag radials so I won't get any grief from the tracks. (I still have DR's/wheels from my CTS V wagon) Right now I'm leaning towards the ZL1 option given how robust the entire drivetrain is and may actually go for the automatic. (I've always had six speed manual cars but that's another discussion) If I do go for the ZL1 what would you recommend I do when shopping for the car? I was planning on having carfax and service history run, have a leakdown and compression test performed, look for signs of pulley removal etc. Any other things to watch out for? Thanks in advance for your help. There's a nice black 2013 for sale locally with only 5K miles on it. It's a loaded auto with sunroof (I'd actually prefer no roof but it's not a showstopper) Planning to check out the car this week. Cheers, Chris

11-26-2014, 07:29 AM	#2
sbubbaklein Drives: early 2011 Camaro convertible Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: House Springs, Mo Posts: 2,002 View My Garage	that local car sounds good. Black is timeless and you wont get tired of the color. Shopping local saves some travel money that you can put towards mods. __________________ Early 2011 LT Convertible, ZL1 bumper, hood, side skirts, belly pan and wheels, Truecarbon ECF hood extractor, K&N CAI, Elite catch can, Big Worm Bow Tie emblems, Jacfab bracket, Vitesse TC, BMR strut brace, BMR tunnel brace, NPP exhaust

11-26-2014, 08:19 AM	#5
JamesZL1 Drives: 2013 ZL1 A6 Camaro, 2015 C7 A6 Z51 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 396	I have a Black 2013 A6 with the Sunroof (and all other options). I love this CAR! See if they have done the Supercharger TSB on it. Listen to the blower, if you can hear what sounds like marbles in a can, make them replace the S/C before you buy it...I agree with Bigtime53, Buy the ZL1 platform, thats what you want to start modifying from, plus if you like Auto-X, the ZL1 has the best suspension stock out of the box. Hey, your on a ZL1 Forum, you think we are going to tell you to buy anything else...lol __________________ Roto-Fab CAI, Texas Speed Headers, Texas Speed X-Pipe, Texas Speed LS3-B Blower Cam, Metco 9.10" Crank Pulley, Metco 2.5 Upper Pulley, ID 850 Injectors, LPE Ported Throttle Body, Alky Control Methanol kit, E2 Catch Can, 610HP / 608 Torque.

11-26-2014, 03:37 PM	#7
Todd in Vancouver Drives: 2014 ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Vancouver, BC Posts: 1,538 View My Garage	ZL1 for sure. Better diff, axles, suspension for tuning at drag, autocross, tour. Its a rock solid car so not much to go wrong. __________________ Todd in Vancouver '14 ZL1 Camaro '67 Camaro SS Pro-tour in process How hard can it be... Check out my other build http://www.pro-touring.com/threads/9...ject-Obsession

11-26-2014, 07:50 AM	#3
Bigtime53 Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,301	If you plan on tracking the car and drag racing it alot of the guys on here say the sunroof causes a problem when wearing a helmet. I say get the ZL1 because it is track ready and so much easier to modify and not as costly as the other cars you ask about if you choose to do so. Good luck with which ever one you choose and post up some pics after you buy one.

11-26-2014, 08:18 AM	#4
Chrispy 11.91 ET Bone stock Drives: 2015 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 353	Thanks guys...that's my big concern with the sunroof as well. I'm actually going to bring my helmet when I check out the car and see if I smack my head against the liner/sunroof

11-26-2014, 03:20 PM	#6
Six.Two SC Drives: 2018 Summit White Camaro 1SS Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Pasadena, CA Posts: 352	Sure you want an automatic?

11-27-2014, 12:46 AM	#10
ZL155 Banned Drives: 13' ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: NY Posts: 311	No brainer, get the ZL1 ..There are some with STOCK autos running 11.50's on stock meat .... Put that 75 rwhp package on an auto, guarantee you be smashing low 11's with stock tires.. Nothing wrong with the auto, it definitely has it's pluses ...but man it's biggest negative is BOREDOM!! Check out the link in my post below... Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

11-27-2014, 12:49 AM	#11
ZL155 Banned Drives: 13' ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: NY Posts: 311	http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385642 New best for my stock ZL1 Sent from my SM-N900V using Tapatalk

11-27-2014, 11:54 AM	#12
Chrispy 11.91 ET Bone stock Drives: 2015 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 353	Thanks guys. Checked out a ZL1 with a sunroof and it won't work. Helmet won't clear. (I'm 6 foot 1) I'll keep looking around...still on fence between auto and manual so will check out both. Nice runs, I used to live in Maryland and raced at Cecil, MIR, Capitol and 75&80. Nothing like Cecil or MIR in November!

11-27-2014, 07:35 PM	#14
ckosiek Drives: Former owner 2013 ZL1 Convertible Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: Delaware Posts: 72	Interested in a convertible? http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385574