Thoughts on modding the ZL1 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

1st Gen Forever · 03-18-2012, 01:37 PM

I've been going round and round with my own thoughts and research on modding my ZL1 for more power while, ideally, maintaining the correct function of PTM and MR.

There are a lot of options out there right up to a full engine swap with something on the order of 1000HP but when looking at the costs involved, you definitely start to see a sweet spot of power per dollar.

From the bottom up, it seems reasonable you could do pulley, headers, tune first for a possible 70-100HP bump. Next heads and cam for approx another 70-100HP bump.

In my opinion, this seems to be the sweet spot because you'd be around $10k into it and going beyond this you really should be tearing into the LSA and doing something about the pistons, etc, or maybe even an engine swap. And since you'll be at about 700RWHP at this point, You really need to go all out as the next step. At this point the cost seems to jump well into the $20k's and beyond with power output options from 700-1000HP and it remains to be seen what needs to happen to the MR and PTM to manage the added power.

What are some others' thoughts to my ramblings above?

*Mr. Wyndham* · 03-18-2012, 02:08 PM

I'd tend to agree with your ramblings.

Camaro Fred · 03-18-2012, 03:41 PM

I don't have any intentions of modifying my ZL1. I waited for the ZL1 because it had the unique features other Camaros don't have and came that way from the factory. Lots of Engineering went into making this car what it is, so changing out the exhaust or changing the Super Chargers pulley is not going to happen for me. If I wanted to design a power train I would do it on a much cheaper car vs. pulling a new one apart. It will be interesting to see what GM does in 2013 to improve upon 2012. There is always rom for improvement.

Sack Rat 2SS · 03-18-2012, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1st Gen Forever

I've been going round and round with my own thoughts and research on modding my ZL1 for more power while, ideally, maintaining the correct function of PTM and MR.

From the bottom up, it seems reasonable you could do pulley, headers, tune first for a possible 70-100HP bump. Next heads and cam for approx another 70-100HP bump.

What are some others' thoughts to my ramblings above?

The 8 rib pulley on blower are pressed on. Not bolt on like maggie and others. So you can change the drive pulley on the crank to do the blower tweek. Not for sure on that. Not as easy as one might think.

2012ZL1 · 03-18-2012, 04:09 PM

I think a lot of people will do the pulley.

1st Gen Forever · 03-18-2012, 04:56 PM

It seems the crank pulley is a common change on the LSA. It's larger rather than smaller (on blower) which provides more surface area for the belt reducing the likelihood of belt slip.

I actually chose the ZL1 as a starting point for modifications rather than modding my current SS for 2 reasons. 'Course I think I may still end up modding both. Can't just leave a car like these alone.

First, the ZL1 power train has been beefed up vs the SS from the start and if GM can offer a 100,000 mile warranty on it with the LSA, it should be better able to handle added torque than an SS without upgrades in clutch, transmission, and rear end.

Second, with the advanced PTM and MR, it's reasonable to assume (not a guarantee) that it should be better able to put increased torque to the ground effectively.

Time will tell if these assumptions prove true but that's the risk with being the first. Either way, I'm going to have fun with this car!

DrkPhx · 03-18-2012, 04:56 PM

I would recommend driving the car stock first to anyone not used to driving with that kind of power. It's more than you think. FWIW - My friend has a 09 CTS-V that dyno'd 500 rwhp/477 tq stock. He added an upper pulley, ported snout, LS7 throttle body with tuning and it dyno'd 562 rwhp/563 tq through stock exhaust. That's a huge gain and alot of hp for a street car.

1st Gen Forever · 03-18-2012, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrkPhx

I would recommend driving the car stock first to anyone not used to driving with that kind of power. It's more than you think. FWIW - My friend has a 09 CTS-V that dyno'd 500 rwhp/477 tq stock. He added an upper pulley, ported snout, LS7 throttle body with tuning and it dyno'd 562 rwhp/563 tq through stock exhaust. That's a huge gain and alot of hp for a street car.

+1

Most definitely! I've been driving high torque street cars since I was a teenager and what you need to learn is respect for the power. It's a totally different experience in a car when you CANNOT floor the gas pedal. You have to have an increased degree of self control or you'll end up in trouble or worse. My personal rule is to never drive (or ride motorcycle) tired or angry. It's surprising what happens when you drive a high torque car "sloppy"

ZL119 · 03-18-2012, 05:30 PM

Once whipple comes out with a TVS I would consider swapping the SC out for a 2.3L

29er · 03-18-2012, 07:35 PM

03-18-2012, 01:37 PM	#1
1st Gen Forever ZL1 #140 Drives: Camaros: 68 SS, 10 2SS/RS, 12 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 594	Thoughts on modding the ZL1 I've been going round and round with my own thoughts and research on modding my ZL1 for more power while, ideally, maintaining the correct function of PTM and MR. There are a lot of options out there right up to a full engine swap with something on the order of 1000HP but when looking at the costs involved, you definitely start to see a sweet spot of power per dollar. From the bottom up, it seems reasonable you could do pulley, headers, tune first for a possible 70-100HP bump. Next heads and cam for approx another 70-100HP bump. In my opinion, this seems to be the sweet spot because you'd be around $10k into it and going beyond this you really should be tearing into the LSA and doing something about the pistons, etc, or maybe even an engine swap. And since you'll be at about 700RWHP at this point, You really need to go all out as the next step. At this point the cost seems to jump well into the $20k's and beyond with power output options from 700-1000HP and it remains to be seen what needs to happen to the MR and PTM to manage the added power. What are some others' thoughts to my ramblings above?

03-18-2012, 02:08 PM	#2
Mr. Wyndham I used to be Dragoneye... Drives: 2018 ZL1 1LE Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Buffalo, NY Posts: 31,876 View My Garage	I'd tend to agree with your ramblings. __________________ *"Keep the faith."* - Fbodfather

03-18-2012, 03:41 PM	#3
Camaro Fred 2012 ZL1 VIN 150 Drives: 1973 RS LT Camaro 4 Speed Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Southern CA Posts: 237 View My Garage	I don't have any intentions of modifying my ZL1. I waited for the ZL1 because it had the unique features other Camaros don't have and came that way from the factory. Lots of Engineering went into making this car what it is, so changing out the exhaust or changing the Super Chargers pulley is not going to happen for me. If I wanted to design a power train I would do it on a much cheaper car vs. pulling a new one apart. It will be interesting to see what GM does in 2013 to improve upon 2012. There is always rom for improvement. __________________

03-18-2012, 04:09 PM	#5
2012ZL1 CaRaHoLiC Drives: '12 ZL1,67 Cam,68 Biscayne 427 4 sp Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 1,701	I think a lot of people will do the pulley. __________________ 2012 ZL1 2.55 upper, 10" lower pullies, Innovators west billet hub and sfi balancer, solid blower drive isolator, 50 mm idler kit, full length S/S headers no cats, comp cams custom grind cam, comp roller rocker trunion kit, comp push rods,dual valve springs retainers and locks, Injector dynamics ID850 inectors, Rotofab ZL1 cold air kit, Lingenfelter 160 thermostat, Rotofab intercooler reservoir, stock plugs, LS7 90mm throttle body, GTO clutch reservoir mod, my own custom catch can, Tuning by Jannetty, install by me.

03-18-2012, 05:30 PM	#9
ZL119 ZLwin!!! Drives: Black on Black 2012 ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 17	Once whipple comes out with a TVS I would consider swapping the SC out for a 2.3L __________________ 2012 Black ZL1 (Ordered Feb 16th)

03-18-2012, 04:56 PM	#6
1st Gen Forever ZL1 #140 Drives: Camaros: 68 SS, 10 2SS/RS, 12 ZL1 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Arizona Posts: 594	It seems the crank pulley is a common change on the LSA. It's larger rather than smaller (on blower) which provides more surface area for the belt reducing the likelihood of belt slip. I actually chose the ZL1 as a starting point for modifications rather than modding my current SS for 2 reasons. 'Course I think I may still end up modding both. Can't just leave a car like these alone. First, the ZL1 power train has been beefed up vs the SS from the start and if GM can offer a 100,000 mile warranty on it with the LSA, it should be better able to handle added torque than an SS without upgrades in clutch, transmission, and rear end. Second, with the advanced PTM and MR, it's reasonable to assume (not a guarantee) that it should be better able to put increased torque to the ground effectively. Time will tell if these assumptions prove true but that's the risk with being the first. Either way, I'm going to have fun with this car!

03-18-2012, 04:56 PM	#7
DrkPhx Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 / 2006 TB SS Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: MN Posts: 2,250	I would recommend driving the car stock first to anyone not used to driving with that kind of power. It's more than you think. FWIW - My friend has a 09 CTS-V that dyno'd 500 rwhp/477 tq stock. He added an upper pulley, ported snout, LS7 throttle body with tuning and it dyno'd 562 rwhp/563 tq through stock exhaust. That's a huge gain and alot of hp for a street car.

03-18-2012, 07:35 PM	#10
29er Drives: 14 1LE Garage King Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: MTL Posts: 1,519 View My Garage

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