[Cardiak]

I see a lot of guys with the ZL1 side skirts on their SS 1LE's but I've never seen this in person. Do they sit flush with the front lip or do they sit a little lower on the car throwing off the symmetry? I've seen a couple of pics with a decent side shot and it seems that they hang lower than the front lip which totally throws off the appearance to me. Can anyone confirm?

[arpad_m]

Yes, they do sit lower and need a low hanging front splitter for a perfect match.

[Cardiak]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Yes, they do sit lower and need a low hanging front splitter for a perfect match.

Thank you.

[arpad_m]

By the way, I forgot to say that there is a height difference even on the stock ZL1, check out some side shots. The perfect symmetry you're after does not exist in stock Camaro form.

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

By the way, I forgot to say that there is a height difference even on the stock ZL1, check out some side shots. The perfect symmetry you're after does not exist in stock Camaro form.

I agree with arpad_m. Here are pictures of both my 1LE and my ZL1. My 1LE has ACS rock guards and side skirts. You can see that the front lip on both cars is slightly higher than the side skirts. BTW my ZL1 also has 1LE wheels so don't let that confuse you.

[Cardiak]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

By the way, I forgot to say that there is a height difference even on the stock ZL1, check out some side shots. The perfect symmetry you're after does not exist in stock Camaro form.

How about with the ZLE?

[Cardiak]

Originally Posted by ZPirate

I agree with arpad_m. Here are pictures of both my 1LE and my ZL1. My 1LE has ACS rock guards and side skirts. You can see that the front lip on both cars is slightly higher than the side skirts. BTW my ZL1 also has 1LE wheels so don't let that confuse you.

Attachment 1144735

Attachment 1144736

Interesting. I've never noticed this with the regular ZL1. I'll be disappointed if this is also a thing with the ZLE.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Cardiak

Interesting. I've never noticed this with the regular ZL1. I'll be disappointed if this is also a thing with the ZLE.

It's similar, see below.

Don't be disappointed, this looks like a deliberate design choice for better aero, and I never even noticed the difference since 2017 (or 2018 with the ZL1 1LE) before you called it out,

[Cardiak]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

It's similar, see below.

Don't be disappointed, this looks like a deliberate design choice for better aero, and I never even noticed the difference since 2017 (or 2018 with the ZL1 1LE) before you called it out,

Very interesting. I had a ZLE for a week and didn't even notice and I probably observed the aero more than anything other than the wheel setup as far as the exterior goes.

I don't see how a splitter that's higher than the side skirts is a positive for the aero. I've always understood that the lower the splitter, the better. And I've never seen a race car with a front splitter that's higher than the side skirts.

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by Cardiak

Very interesting. I had a ZLE for a week and didn't even notice and I probably observed the aero more than anything other than the wheel setup as far as the exterior goes.

I don't see how a splitter that's higher than the side skirts is a positive for the aero. I've always understood that the lower the splitter, the better. And I've never seen a race car with a front splitter that's higher than the side skirts.

I suspect that the front splitter height on the Camaro (1LE, ZL1 and ZLE) is a compromise between aero and practicality. Because the Camaro is a street car, which sometimes is driven on track, the front splitter can't be but so low or its too easily damaged. GM doesn't want that. Race cars on the other hand aren't driven on the street. They are purposely set up to lap a track as fast as possible. The other areo bits added to the ZLE further enhance downforce as it is the most hardcore street Camaro available for the track.

One thing I didn't notice until I posted the pictures above, is the differences from the side in the front facias of the 1LE and the ZL1. The 1LE of course is an SS and it's front facia is flatter than the ZL1 front facia. The ZL1 front facia slopes from top down toward the splitter. The 1LE splitter is also wider so it sticks out more from the front of the car. It's also a more pronounced point to it, along with small winglets on the sides. I've hit my shin on it several times walking around the car. The ZL1 front splitter also appears to sit slightly lower than the 1LE splitter does.

[Cardiak]

Originally Posted by ZPirate

I suspect that the front splitter height on the Camaro (1LE, ZL1 and ZLE) is a compromise between aero and practicality. Because the Camaro is a street car, which sometimes is driven on track, the front splitter can't be but so low or its too easily damaged. GM doesn't want that. Race cars on the other hand aren't driven on the street. They are purposely set up to lap a track as fast as possible. The other areo bits added to the ZLE further enhance downforce as it is the most hardcore street Camaro available for the track.

One thing I didn't notice until I posted the pictures above, is the differences from the side in the front facias of the 1LE and the ZL1. The 1LE of course is an SS and it's front facia is flatter than the ZL1 front facia. The ZL1 front facia slopes from top down toward the splitter. The 1LE splitter is also wider so it sticks out more from the front of the car. It's also a more pronounced point to it, along with small winglets on the sides. I've hit my shin on it several times walking around the car. The ZL1 front splitter also appears to sit slightly lower than the 1LE splitter does.

Makes sense but I've never even noticed this on other street cars.

I picked up on those subtle differences sometime a couple of years ago. I believe even the fender width on the Z's are wider than the SS.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by Cardiak

Makes sense but I've never even noticed this on other street cars.

I picked up on those subtle differences sometime a couple of years ago. I believe even the fender width on the Z's are wider than the SS.

Correct, great observation. I suspect GM did it to accommodate the ZL1 1LE's very wide front tires without any poke that would technically be illegal (as far as I know).

Some SS owners here who installed genuine ZL1 rocker panels with the integrated side skirts had to get a fender spacing kit (Gen5DIY sells one) that pushes the fenders out so that they align with the side skirts.

[CalgaryZL1]

I already have a hard enough time, going up the sidewalk and into the driveway. And some gas stations in my neighborhood. Forget about it.