My first ZL1 driving impression - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Bosse'sBoss · 11-30-2015, 11:21 PM

This weekend I bought a marvelous red '14 ZL1 w/. automatic transmission, carbon hood vents, black wheels and the great looking Recaros and with only 1,100 miles. The day I bought it, it was raining very hard and encountered standing water, at first I really missed my Michelin Pilot SS that I had on my '11 Mustang GT, the GY didn't felt secure on the cold 55 F rainy day, until I got on the road I felt more secure, car fells very strong with the Supercharged engine, more heavy than my 5.0 and with a higher tendency to kick out the back under acceleration if I take a curve, I think that it will improve with better tires than the stock GY tires that I don't like. The car is a beauty inside and outside, I tried to fell a difference between the touring and sport shocks settings, but they felt very similar, hard to distinguish. The HID is great, the Recaros look awsome and felt great, only at first my wife complained about the bolstering of the seats, but later she felt confortable on them, those seats aren't designed for fat people, so a diet is recommended to be able to enjoy them

. The exhaust sounds great, and the paddle shift I was able to enjoy it at high RPM's, on soft driving not even closer to the feeling of the stick. Before I had tested a manual transmission ZL1 and it was more enjoyable, but wasn't an option for me because I'm sharing this car with my wife.
I received many compliments from all my Friends, it's a very attractive car. This one is a keeper.

jayno20 · 11-30-2015, 11:34 PM

I agree on all those points. The GY tires really seem to hate cold/wet weather so I wouldn't push them in that situation. I love the Recaro seats in my 14 as well they are just absolutely amazing looking/feeling seats. I agree with the manual being more fun to drive, but I understand the wife situation.

The very first day I got my car I got a thumbs up from a guy in a PRIUS and then at the stop light he asked me if I would rev it for his son so I did then proceeded to tell him that the rev I just did cost more fuel than his entire trip in his Prius.

I used to have a 370z Nismo before getting this ZL1 and the 370z had a much more "exotic" look to it and with that being said I get wayyyy more looks and thumbs up in the ZL1. I don't really understand why, but it happens, maybe the V8 rumble helps.

Welcome to the club! Post some pictures!

SlingShot · 12-01-2015, 09:22 AM

If you keep having problems with the back kicking out, try PTM 3 it helps a lot.

KaBoom1701 · 12-01-2015, 10:07 AM

Congrats.

Post some pics.

Enough Already · 12-01-2015, 11:36 AM

I wasn't really sure what PTM 3 was, so I looked it up:

The PTM-3 is a Russian scatterable anti-tank mine that can be deployed either by hand, vehicle, artillery, or helicopter.

jayno20 · 12-01-2015, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Enough Already

I wasn't really sure what PTM 3 was, so I looked it up:

The PTM-3 is a Russian scatterable anti-tank mine that can be deployed either by hand, vehicle, artillery, or helicopter.

lol interesting.

Seriously though, PTM stands for Performance Traction Management and it gives you the ability to select what computer assisted "helpers" are turned on. You get into this mode by hitting the traction button down by the gauge pod twice and it will display on your dash. Look through the user manual for "performance traction management" or even on youtube.

Enough Already · 12-01-2015, 11:59 AM

Great & thanks! I have been having so much fun driving mine (purchased in Sep.) that I have neglected to read the manual in full detail.

L36L72LS3 · 12-01-2015, 12:39 PM

Put that bitch in PTM 3 and make the automatic work. You'll be stunned that it anticipates your actions based on all the sensors and pre-filling the valve bodies with ATFluid. The trans thinks faster then you anyway.

Bosse'sBoss · 12-01-2015, 06:59 PM

I will that amigos. PTM on 3. Here are the pictures

I did not knew what I was missing. Great car. I was looking at C&D lap times, and it is amazing that this car makes the same time as the Audi R8 (V10) & the Porsche 911 Turbo S that cost 3 times than the ZL1. Incredible!!

winterboy8 · 12-02-2015, 06:08 AM

Wait til you install a cold air intake and hear that S/C whine, it's magical.

Stephen12ZL1 · 12-02-2015, 06:47 AM

magical...lol...it's a Disney intake

harmonyp · 12-02-2015, 09:08 AM

I'm really surprised you didn't feel a difference between touring and sport modes. The difference isn't as strong as between touring and sport and track in the stingray, but to me it's very perceivable. The shocks are much softer in touring mode, the car feels like it's floating. In sport mode, the shocks stiffen significantly (but still offering a crazy comfortable ride), and you feel the detail in the road at least twice as much as you do in touring mode (sorry, I'm giving assessment from a DD, not a track person) Now, I don't so much notice diff's between ptm 1&2, and ptm 3&4, and 5, but I'm sure on a track they all make a big difference. I do know I use the recommended ptm1 driving in the rain.

Congrats OP on your new car.

Bosse'sBoss · 12-02-2015, 06:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by winterboy8

Wait til you install a cold air intake and hear that S/C whine, it's magical.

Yes winterboy8, I will follow your advise.

For 100 F South TX weather which one do you recommend RotoFab or CAI?

Bosse'sBoss · 12-02-2015, 06:41 PM

Why the oil catch can is important on the ZL1?

11-30-2015, 11:21 PM	#1
Bosse'sBoss Drives: '16 Camaro SS 6 spd manual transm. Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: RGV Texas Posts: 1,463	My first ZL1 driving impression This weekend I bought a marvelous red '14 ZL1 w/. automatic transmission, carbon hood vents, black wheels and the great looking Recaros and with only 1,100 miles. The day I bought it, it was raining very hard and encountered standing water, at first I really missed my Michelin Pilot SS that I had on my '11 Mustang GT, the GY didn't felt secure on the cold 55 F rainy day, until I got on the road I felt more secure, car fells very strong with the Supercharged engine, more heavy than my 5.0 and with a higher tendency to kick out the back under acceleration if I take a curve, I think that it will improve with better tires than the stock GY tires that I don't like. The car is a beauty inside and outside, I tried to fell a difference between the touring and sport shocks settings, but they felt very similar, hard to distinguish. The HID is great, the Recaros look awsome and felt great, only at first my wife complained about the bolstering of the seats, but later she felt confortable on them, those seats aren't designed for fat people, so a diet is recommended to be able to enjoy them . The exhaust sounds great, and the paddle shift I was able to enjoy it at high RPM's, on soft driving not even closer to the feeling of the stick. Before I had tested a manual transmission ZL1 and it was more enjoyable, but wasn't an option for me because I'm sharing this car with my wife. I received many compliments from all my Friends, it's a very attractive car. This one is a keeper. Last edited by Bosse'sBoss; 07-03-2020 at 11:12 AM.

12-01-2015, 09:22 AM	#3
SlingShot Drives: 2012 ZL1 - #670 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Seminole, Fl. Posts: 8,009	If you keep having problems with the back kicking out, try PTM 3 it helps a lot. __________________

12-01-2015, 10:07 AM	#4
KaBoom1701 KaBoom1701 Drives: 13' ZL1 Red M6 Join Date: Dec 2012 Location: I.E. SoCal (Yucaipa) Posts: 8,630	Congrats. Post some pics. __________________ Mods: Roto-Fab Intake, WW Res. kit & Big Gulp Air Scoop, Elite Catch Can, ATI Super Damper & 18% OD Pulley, LF Idler pulley bracket, Metco CC breather, ID850 Injectors, Stainless Power Headers w/ ceramic coating, TR71X Spark Plugs, JMS Fuel Pump Booster, Bo White TB, Tuned by Ted @ Jannetty Racing, Ron Davis HX, D3 Reservoir, Pfadt 1" Springs, Moreno Camber Plates, ZL1 Addons Splitter guard washers, Tow Hook kit & rock guards, Hurst Shifter Billet Plus 6 Speed Short Shifter, ZL1 DRL lighting harness, ZL1 Recaro Seats.

12-01-2015, 12:39 PM	#8
L36L72LS3 Jersey Jeff Drives: 1969 Camaro L89/T400 ~ 2015 ZL1 Join Date: May 2011 Location: Jersey Posts: 548	Put that bitch in PTM 3 and make the automatic work. You'll be stunned that it anticipates your actions based on all the sensors and pre-filling the valve bodies with ATFluid. The trans thinks faster then you anyway. __________________ JerseyJeff

12-01-2015, 06:59 PM	#9
Bosse'sBoss Drives: '16 Camaro SS 6 spd manual transm. Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: RGV Texas Posts: 1,463	I will that amigos. PTM on 3. Here are the pictures I did not knew what I was missing. Great car. I was looking at C&D lap times, and it is amazing that this car makes the same time as the Audi R8 (V10) & the Porsche 911 Turbo S that cost 3 times than the ZL1. Incredible!! Attached Images

11-30-2015, 11:34 PM	#2
jayno20 Go fast, please. Drives: 2019 Corvette ZR1 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 2,471 View My Garage	I agree on all those points. The GY tires really seem to hate cold/wet weather so I wouldn't push them in that situation. I love the Recaro seats in my 14 as well they are just absolutely amazing looking/feeling seats. I agree with the manual being more fun to drive, but I understand the wife situation. The very first day I got my car I got a thumbs up from a guy in a PRIUS and then at the stop light he asked me if I would rev it for his son so I did then proceeded to tell him that the rev I just did cost more fuel than his entire trip in his Prius. I used to have a 370z Nismo before getting this ZL1 and the 370z had a much more "exotic" look to it and with that being said I get wayyyy more looks and thumbs up in the ZL1. I don't really understand why, but it happens, maybe the V8 rumble helps. Welcome to the club! Post some pictures!

12-01-2015, 11:36 AM	#5
Enough Already Drives: 2013 Black ZL1-M6 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: South Florida Posts: 83	I wasn't really sure what PTM 3 was, so I looked it up: The PTM-3 is a Russian scatterable anti-tank mine that can be deployed either by hand, vehicle, artillery, or helicopter.

12-01-2015, 11:59 AM	#7
Enough Already Drives: 2013 Black ZL1-M6 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: South Florida Posts: 83	Great & thanks! I have been having so much fun driving mine (purchased in Sep.) that I have neglected to read the manual in full detail.

12-02-2015, 06:08 AM	#10
winterboy8 Drives: 2015 ZL1 Blue Velvet Metallic Join Date: Mar 2015 Location: Melbourne, FL Posts: 720 View My Garage	Wait til you install a cold air intake and hear that S/C whine, it's magical. __________________ Roto-Fab CAI, ARH LT, SW 3" catback, JRE tune, Elite-2 CC, VMAX TB, Big Gulp, WW II relo, Lingenfelter S/C reservoir

12-02-2015, 06:47 AM	#11
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,811	magical...lol...it's a Disney intake __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

12-02-2015, 09:08 AM	#12
harmonyp Drives: 2015 ZL1 Silver Ice Metallic Manual Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: NorCal Posts: 249	I'm really surprised you didn't feel a difference between touring and sport modes. The difference isn't as strong as between touring and sport and track in the stingray, but to me it's very perceivable. The shocks are much softer in touring mode, the car feels like it's floating. In sport mode, the shocks stiffen significantly (but still offering a crazy comfortable ride), and you feel the detail in the road at least twice as much as you do in touring mode (sorry, I'm giving assessment from a DD, not a track person) Now, I don't so much notice diff's between ptm 1&2, and ptm 3&4, and 5, but I'm sure on a track they all make a big difference. I do know I use the recommended ptm1 driving in the rain. Congrats OP on your new car.

12-02-2015, 06:41 PM	#14
Bosse'sBoss Drives: '16 Camaro SS 6 spd manual transm. Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: RGV Texas Posts: 1,463	Why the oil catch can is important on the ZL1?