Official: 2012 Camaro ZL-1 w/550HP

[Cale]

The engine numbers are pretty. But that weight figure is just killing it. And with the recent trend of cutting weight, this seems like lazy effort to most auto enthusiasts. What all does this car need to carry if it's performance oriented? No one considers buying a ZL1 because it's pretty and is civilized. A normal Camaro can achieve that for a lot less.

This isn't true. I understand this is how you view this car, but you are not the target audience. This car was built to be the top dog Camaro, and they are thousands willing to buy just what this car is. A fast, powerful, and comfortable car. Hence why you can even get it with an automatic transmission. Light weight is probably one of the last concerns most buyers will have.

 

[xNEVER-ONEx]

This isn't true. I understand this is how you view this car, but you are not the target audience. This car was built to be the top dog Camaro, and they are thousands willing to buy just what this car is. A fast, powerful, and comfortable car. Hence why you can even get it with an automatic transmission. Light weight is probably one of the last concerns most buyers will have.

+1
90% will never see the track. This car is more of a cross between a Muscle car and a grand tourer rather than a track car.

 

[Leonidae@MFT]

Hmm...

 

[CodeRedR51]

He was incorrect at the beginning, the ZL-1 does not share an engine with the ZR-1.

 

[eSZee]

The LSA is 95% same as the zr1 motor. I mentioned the differences before but don't remember other than the blower being different and one or two internal components.

 

[CodeRedR51]

Ah well I thought it was straight up the CTS-V engine.

 

[YSSMAN]

Ah well I thought it was straight up the CTS-V engine.

Basically, it is. If I remember the parts differences, it is a slightly different exhaust system and a different computer tune. That, somehow, added 30 BHP. The differences between the LS-A and LS9 generally come down to the differences in oil pump (wet vs dry), and I think some of the castings are different. Other than that, same engine, basically.

 

[Adamgp]

The LSA is 95% same as the zr1 motor. I mentioned the differences before but don't remember other than the blower being different and one or two internal components.

LS9 is hand built, LSA is not, for one.

 

[eSZee]

That has what to do with physical differences in the motors?
One is put together by machines that get calibrated on a weekly basis while the other gets put together by Bob.

 

[Zenith]

That has what to do with physical differences in the motors?
One is put together by machines that get calibrated on a weekly basis while the other gets put together by Bob.

I was under the impressions that hand built engines are built to better tolerances.

Bob will try to get as close he can to a target torque or measurement. A machine will just try to get between a max and minimum in the acceptable range.

 

[eSZee]

Bob is part of a union. Bob is not to be trusted. I have little hope in Bob.

 

[niky]

A hand-assembled motor can be built to tighter tolerances, if that is what's desired.

 

[RocZX]

 

[CodeRedR51]

How about on stock tires?

 

[Dennisch]

How about on stock tires?

Those will be gone before the 1/8 mile.

Btw.

Looks very good in all black.

 

[Slash]

Is it sad that the first thing I did was look at that truck lol?

 

[Dennisch]

Is it sad that the first thing I did was look at that truck lol?

Yes. But that's only because you wear the blue badge.

 

[Adamgp]

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/...ent/Pages/news/us/en/2012/May/0504_camaro_zl1

Here is the article to go along with the vid.

The 11.93 ET was done on stock tires:

The 11.93-second ET in a stock ZL1 tested by the engineers wore the factory-issued Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar G:2 tires developed specifically for it, putting the car only a scant 0.44-second away from that additional racing safety requirement.

The article also says:

In addition to validating the system for the stock tires, engineers also tested it with 18- and 20-inch racing-type drag radial tires in anticipation of the specialty tires many drivers will use at the track. Drag radials are very soft and provide nearly the traction of a full racing slick, allowing the car to launch at a higher rpm without wheel spin, which can translate into an even quicker ET.

 

[Ls2BluGoat]

Is it sad that the first thing I did was look at that truck lol?

Nope haha, never liked the newer Camaro's, never will. By the way...



Ligenfelter got theirs to reach 200 mph. Is bad the 2013 GT500 can do that stock

 

[CodeRedR51]

http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/...ent/Pages/news/us/en/2012/May/0504_camaro_zl1

Here is the article to go along with the vid.

The 11.93 ET was done on stock tires:

I think they failed to mention that in the video.

 

[Zenith]

Is it sad that the first thing I did was look at that truck lol?

You'll find that people will take you more seriously if you leave your Ford bias out of every single post you make.

 

[homeforsummer]

Bob is part of a union. Bob is not to be trusted. I have little hope in Bob.

What about Chuck? Don't forget Chuck!

Chevrolet "Build your own V8" by Vitesse Photography, on Flickr​

On a related note, it's worth remembering that thanks to Chevy's "Build your own engine" program on the ZR-1, some ZR-1s will have an engine built not by Bob or Chuck, but by AVERAGE JOE.

ZL-1s will presumably escape this fate...

 

[TheBook]

Built by Average Joe, but with supervision from Bob, Chuck, and about a hundred different computers.

 

[Slash]

You'll find that people will take you more seriously if you leave your Ford bias out of every single post you make.

Man sometimes I just can't help it =P

 

[homeforsummer]

Built by Average Joe, but with supervision from Bob, Chuck, and about a hundred different computers.

That is true. I think it's an awesome little program they have allowing you to build your own engine, and as you say it'll be very well supervised. Still, there'd always be this nagging feeling if you bought one used...

 

[Keef]

That is true. I think it's an awesome little program they have allowing you to build your own engine, and as you say it'll be very well supervised. Still, there'd always be this nagging feeling if you bought one used...

I'd rather buy one built by Average Joe who wants his own car to work than by a bunch of union-employed assembly line neanderthals.

 

[Rotary Junkie]

Personally I wish they made it mandatory.

 

[Mac K]

Personally I wish they made it mandatory.

Do you actually think something like that being mandatory would be good for sales? I wouldn't want to walk in and buy a car and be told "oh ya, if you want this YOU have to build the engine for it" meh, I'll pass thanks. No offence, but it just makes no sense to me to make it mandatory.

 

[Zenith]

^

I'm guessing he wasn't being serious...