Build vs. Buy - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

wastepile · 10-07-2022, 02:07 AM

Hypothetical question. Can you mod a 2015 SS so that it is equivalent or better than a 2015 ZL1 for $12,400? Both cars are stock and the SS need equivalent or better parts to hit ZL1 levels (suspension, hp/torque, etc.)

I got the values via KBB with standard options, black color, and 60,000 miles. In reality, the marketplace would vary more based on location etc. But, for this question let's assume 12,400.

SIM GhostrdrZ · 10-07-2022, 05:23 AM

So you put 12.4 into an SS, It’s still an SS as far as market value. You put that same 12.4 towards a ZL1, you get the extra performance plus the extra market value the ZL1 brings. It’s the old saying, throwing good money after bad.
So, could you get the performance of a ZL1 out of an SS for 12.4. Sure, given the precise upgrades without wasting any $$ on unneeded modes and finding deals on needed modes. And, the fun of working on your Camaro if capable is priceless. If you’re paying for labor, not a chance in hell.
All hypothetical.

CamaroCracka · 10-07-2022, 06:16 AM

I'm not sure 12k would get you to the performance of a ZL1. Differences are ZL comes with 1.9L supercharger, stronger bottom end and head for boost. It has a way stronger diff and axles and the front brakes are better too. I think the SS has the same fuel pump as the ZL1 for 15, but not positive and then there is the interior and exterior appearance factor not to mention the superior suspension on the ZL1. If the cars are automatics, the ZL has a stronger trans and ZL1 comes with forged 20x11/20x10 wheels. Just the parts and tuning will run you over 12k. I have a lot of ZL1 and Z28 parts on my cars and I wish they had offered the ZL1 in 2010 because I would have sure saved money starting with it rather than the SS.

SIM GhostrdrZ · 10-07-2022, 07:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroCracka

I'm not sure 12k would get you to the performance of a ZL1. Differences are ZL comes with 1.9L supercharger, stronger bottom end and head for boost. It has a way stronger diff and axles and the front brakes are better too. I think the SS has the same fuel pump as the ZL1 for 15, but not positive and then there is the interior and exterior appearance factor not to mention the superior suspension on the ZL1. If the cars are automatics, the ZL has a stronger trans and ZL1 comes with forged 20x11/20x10 wheels. Just the parts and tuning will run you over 12k. I have a lot of ZL1 and Z28 parts on my cars and I wish they had offered the ZL1 in 2010 because I would have sure saved money starting with it rather than the SS.

Nailed it!!

gtstorey · 10-07-2022, 07:33 AM

If you do the work yourself, you can probably get the performance of the ZL1 for $12,400 and probably quite a bit less, or at least you could have just a few years ago. You probably won't get the extra insurance of the stronger diff, axles and trans.

bsn · 10-07-2022, 07:41 AM

Hypothetically there are plenty of 2015 SS owners who might consider their car better than a 2015 ZL1-different strokes for different folks. For $12k you can make the SS faster and handle as well or better than a stock ZL1 but as stated above the ZL1 has a much more robust drivetrain, brakes and doesn't take much to make some serious hp. The ZL1 should retain its value when it's time to sell so its not really spending extra money as you should get it back then,

wastepile · 10-07-2022, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroCracka

I'm not sure 12k would get you to the performance of a ZL1. Differences are ZL comes with 1.9L supercharger, stronger bottom end and head for boost. It has a way stronger diff and axles and the front brakes are better too. I think the SS has the same fuel pump as the ZL1 for 15, but not positive and then there is the interior and exterior appearance factor not to mention the superior suspension on the ZL1. If the cars are automatics, the ZL has a stronger trans and ZL1 comes with forged 20x11/20x10 wheels. Just the parts and tuning will run you over 12k. I have a lot of ZL1 and Z28 parts on my cars and I wish they had offered the ZL1 in 2010 because I would have sure saved money starting with it rather than the SS.

Thanks, that's what I figured but didn't have the domain knowledge to say why. It's nice to have someone confirm the thought and even better explain why.

sscamaro · 10-07-2022, 11:10 AM

Look at my mods below. I have as much power as the 2017 ZL1, and spent less then $1200.

Royal Tiger · 10-07-2022, 12:41 PM

My car surpasses a ZL-1 in every possible metric, but it was nowhere near $12k. Yes, I could have started with a ZL-1, but I love the SS so I only looked for that one. A properly built SS can be a steal used if you find a good one.

Aqua Blue RS/SS · 10-07-2022, 01:29 PM

Good interesting discussion here. I can see points on both sides. My personal opinion is if you are tied to the SS for some particular reason than build the hell out of it and you can be better than or equal to a ZL1. It’s gonna cost more in the long run to match all the attributes that the Z excels at. Power is only a small amount of the equation here. They stop a lot better, handle better, and have better driveline components, wider wheels and tires, just to name a few. Out the gate you are money ahead with the Z. A modded Z is going to be that much harder for a SS to match. That said I love my SS and will build the EFF out of it because it is THE car for me.

Rob3D · 10-07-2022, 06:11 PM

Waaaaayyyyyy to many variables to answer this question well. Even hypothetically. However I’ll say this. A lot of people have blank checks when going for big performance (notice I said performance not HP) You can’t get that with a restricted amount of money. $12.4 wouldn’t even cover the SC and accompanying mods like clutch and engine upgrades, rear end upgrade, tires/wheels etc ..to handle the power. You can get more hp with that much, what good is it if you don’t get the peripheral upgrades?

I would have never purchased a ZL1 because my goals were always higher. Why buy a car with a Supercharger which you’re just gonna ditch for a better Supercharger. Hell man, you’ll want better everything, cam, pushrods, throttle body….the list is very, very long. (Or turbo)

Believe what you want, but no one, and I mean no one, is getting, or exceeding, ZL1 performance with bolt-ons and a tune. And they sure as shit ain’t getting it for $12,400.00 or less.

Royal Tiger · 10-07-2022, 06:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rob3D

Waaaaayyyyyy to many variables to answer this question well. Even hypothetically. However I’ll say this. A lot of people have blank checks when going for big performance (notice I said performance not HP) You can’t get that with a restricted amount of money. $12.4 wouldn’t even cover the SC and accompanying mods like clutch and engine upgrades, rear end upgrade, tires/wheels etc ..to handle the power. You can get more hp with that much, what good is it if you don’t get the peripheral upgrades?

I would have never purchased a ZL1 because my goals were always higher. Why buy a car with a Supercharger which you’re just gonna ditch for a better Supercharger. Hell man, you’ll want better everything, cam, pushrods, throttle body….the list is very, very long. (Or turbo)

Believe what you want, but no one, and I mean no one, is getting, or exceeding, ZL1 performance with bolt-ons and a tune. And they sure as shit ain’t getting it for $12,400.00 or less.

Yep!

Danial · 10-07-2022, 07:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aqua Blue RS/SS

Good interesting discussion here. I can see points on both sides. My personal opinion is if you are tied to the SS for some particular reason than build the hell out of it and you can be better than or equal to a ZL1. It’s gonna cost more in the long run to match all the attributes that the Z excels at. Power is only a small amount of the equation here. They stop a lot better, handle better, and have better driveline components, wider wheels and tires, just to name a few. Out the gate you are money ahead with the Z. A modded Z is going to be that much harder for a SS to match. That said I love my SS and will build the EFF out of it because it is THE car for me.

I agree. Good points on both sides.

I can appreciate the power a supercharged or turboed engine produces but being the almost old fart that I am, I just appreciate the naturally aspirated system more.

SIM GhostrdrZ · 10-07-2022, 08:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danial

I agree. Good points on both sides.

I can appreciate the power a supercharged or turboed engine produces but being the almost old fart that I am, I just appreciate the naturally aspirated system more.

I appreciate both N/A as well as supercharged.
The cool thing here is: imho; no matter what you get or how you get there, do it in a Camaro!
Hellcat/Shelby be damned

10-07-2022, 02:07 AM	#1
wastepile Drives: 2010 ABM Camaro SS M6 Join Date: Jul 2020 Location: USA Posts: 90	Build vs. Buy Hypothetical question. Can you mod a 2015 SS so that it is equivalent or better than a 2015 ZL1 for $12,400? Both cars are stock and the SS need equivalent or better parts to hit ZL1 levels (suspension, hp/torque, etc.) I got the values via KBB with standard options, black color, and 60,000 miles. In reality, the marketplace would vary more based on location etc. But, for this question let's assume 12,400.

10-07-2022, 06:16 AM	#3
CamaroCracka Drives: 2010 Turbo LS3 Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Palm Bay, FL Posts: 2,728	I'm not sure 12k would get you to the performance of a ZL1. Differences are ZL comes with 1.9L supercharger, stronger bottom end and head for boost. It has a way stronger diff and axles and the front brakes are better too. I think the SS has the same fuel pump as the ZL1 for 15, but not positive and then there is the interior and exterior appearance factor not to mention the superior suspension on the ZL1. If the cars are automatics, the ZL has a stronger trans and ZL1 comes with forged 20x11/20x10 wheels. Just the parts and tuning will run you over 12k. I have a lot of ZL1 and Z28 parts on my cars and I wish they had offered the ZL1 in 2010 because I would have sure saved money starting with it rather than the SS. __________________ 2010 SS - On3 kit with downpipe cutout, CTR 78/80, CompCam 239/251 620/632 122+4, E85, Z28 suspension and ZL1 diff with Outlaw axles. Gen6 ZL1/1LE brakes. 2011 Vert - 416/w 230/236 .612/.602 115lsa, 1LE suspension w/32mm rear bar. Z28 diff. ZL1 brakes.

10-07-2022, 11:10 AM	#8
sscamaro Drives: 2010 2SS, 2017 Silverado LTZ Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Denver,PA Posts: 3,195 View My Garage	Look at my mods below. I have as much power as the 2017 ZL1, and spent less then $1200. __________________ 2010 2SS/RS Victory Red, MN6, 1-7/8 Kooks LT Headers, SLP Axle Back, Edelbrock E-Force S/C, ZL1 Fuel Pump, 72# Injectors, JRE fuel rail upgrade, Roto-Fab CAI, Elite Catch Can, Billet Hurst Shifter, DSS 1000HP axles, Spohn Trailing Arms, Toe Links, Lower Control Arms. Chrome American Racing Torq-Thrust wheels. 546/rwhp & 522/rwtq & 10.9# boost Tune by Jeremy Formato.

10-07-2022, 01:29 PM	#10
Aqua Blue RS/SS Drives: ABM #93 Join Date: Oct 2018 Location: Lotaburger Posts: 2,689	Good interesting discussion here. I can see points on both sides. My personal opinion is if you are tied to the SS for some particular reason than build the hell out of it and you can be better than or equal to a ZL1. It’s gonna cost more in the long run to match all the attributes that the Z excels at. Power is only a small amount of the equation here. They stop a lot better, handle better, and have better driveline components, wider wheels and tires, just to name a few. Out the gate you are money ahead with the Z. A modded Z is going to be that much harder for a SS to match. That said I love my SS and will build the EFF out of it because it is THE car for me. __________________ ABM #2399 2SS/RS:SOLD ABM #93 2SS/RS Black Rally stripes, Titanium Interior 4,000 miles: GM GFX side skirts and diffuser waiting on paint, GM dovetail, GM heritage, RPI ZL1 style splitter. ‘87 IROC-Z Iroc blue. all original unmolested with 50K miles.

10-07-2022, 05:23 AM	#2
SIM GhostrdrZ Drives: ‘14 Z/28 ‘14 ZL1 M6 vert Join Date: Jul 2015 Location: Ohio Posts: 1,283 View My Garage	So you put 12.4 into an SS, It’s still an SS as far as market value. You put that same 12.4 towards a ZL1, you get the extra performance plus the extra market value the ZL1 brings. It’s the old saying, throwing good money after bad. So, could you get the performance of a ZL1 out of an SS for 12.4. Sure, given the precise upgrades without wasting any $$ on unneeded modes and finding deals on needed modes. And, the fun of working on your Camaro if capable is priceless. If you’re paying for labor, not a chance in hell. All hypothetical.

10-07-2022, 07:33 AM	#5
gtstorey Drives: 2010 Camaro SS2,L99, LSA SC Join Date: Aug 2017 Location: Huntsville, AL Posts: 2,142	If you do the work yourself, you can probably get the performance of the ZL1 for $12,400 and probably quite a bit less, or at least you could have just a few years ago. You probably won't get the extra insurance of the stronger diff, axles and trans.

10-07-2022, 07:41 AM	#6
bsn Drives: 2013 ZL1 Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Virginia Posts: 300	Hypothetically there are plenty of 2015 SS owners who might consider their car better than a 2015 ZL1-different strokes for different folks. For $12k you can make the SS faster and handle as well or better than a stock ZL1 but as stated above the ZL1 has a much more robust drivetrain, brakes and doesn't take much to make some serious hp. The ZL1 should retain its value when it's time to sell so its not really spending extra money as you should get it back then,

10-07-2022, 12:41 PM	#9
Royal Tiger Account Suspended Drives: 2013 2SS/RS Convertible Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Lehigh Valley, PA Posts: 3,873	My car surpasses a ZL-1 in every possible metric, but it was nowhere near $12k. Yes, I could have started with a ZL-1, but I love the SS so I only looked for that one. A properly built SS can be a steal used if you find a good one.

10-07-2022, 06:11 PM	#11
Rob3D Drives: Car Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Alabama Posts: 1,192	Waaaaayyyyyy to many variables to answer this question well. Even hypothetically. However I’ll say this. A lot of people have blank checks when going for big performance (notice I said performance not HP) You can’t get that with a restricted amount of money. $12.4 wouldn’t even cover the SC and accompanying mods like clutch and engine upgrades, rear end upgrade, tires/wheels etc ..to handle the power. You can get more hp with that much, what good is it if you don’t get the peripheral upgrades? I would have never purchased a ZL1 because my goals were always higher. Why buy a car with a Supercharger which you’re just gonna ditch for a better Supercharger. Hell man, you’ll want better everything, cam, pushrods, throttle body….the list is very, very long. (Or turbo) Believe what you want, but no one, and I mean no one, is getting, or exceeding, ZL1 performance with bolt-ons and a tune. And they sure as shit ain’t getting it for $12,400.00 or less.