Poor-sha

So I'm thinking of trading in my 2015 M7 C7 Z06 for a 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE. My rationale is basically that the Z has 2 1/2 years of heavy track use on it and goes out of bumper to bumper warranty at the end of this year. I really want the new C7 ZR1 but I don't see them being released and me getting an allocation prior to the end of CY 2018 or early 2019.

The C7Z has been a great car and I doubt the ZL1 1LE will be faster but I suspect it will be close. the 1LE is ~300 lbs heavier but has better cooling and aero, plus we will see just how good those DSSV shocks are compared to the DSC and Tractive setup I have on my C7Z.

More importantly though, I really enjoyed being one of the first to heavily track the C7Z. To learn what worked, what didn't, and get to share that with the community. The gen 6 ZL1 1LE will be an opportunity to start over on that path again.

Finally, I do have a lot invested in the C7 platform. Four sets of wheels and tires plus a bunch of Corvette specific tools. I'd pull the shocks, controller, and AP Racing brakes before I sell it and I've already confirmed that I can retrofit most of the brakes to the Camaro.

So what are folks thoughts? I'm really on the fence on this but probably need to decide soon. I found a dealer selling at MSRP that has an unsold one on order with a mid-July TPW.

shizon'00

I say do it and let me know what you want for the shocks/controller/wheels

Seriously though, the DSSV shocks are pretty amazing. I wish there was an aftermarket option for them. The only thing to consider is the size of the track community on the Camaro side. I have seen a few Camaros at the track, but not many and they are usually the SS/1LE guys, not the ZL1. Just not sure how big that community is. Maybe it's bigger than my limited sample size?

You can always get the ZL1/1LE and then hop back into a ZR1 in a few years after the bugs are worked out. That might not contribute to the fun of figuring out a new platform though but will solve the need for speed again.

Boba Fett

I say do it. You tracked your Z at a level many will never come near and contributed much to this forum in regards to it.

Try another platform and as the poster above says, you'll always have the option to trade up to the new ZR1. Good luck.

64drvr

Do it and sell me the dsc controller please sir.

Poor-sha

Thanks everyone. I should add that I will probably keep the DSC parts for when I get a ZR1. That is unless the ZR1 also uses DSSV shocks.

AaronZ51

I'd say do it as well - it looks like an incredibly capable and fun track car. If you do, let us know where you'll be posting your experiences so the rest of us can learn more and live vicariously through your experiences!

thebishman

Do it Sean!

I've thought the exact same tbh, but due to having knee issues I really hoped that the new A10 would be an option in the 1LE. Ah well; can't have everything. lol

Thanks for all of your insights re: tracking the Z06.

Bish

Patastic

i say don't
i recently had a camaro not a zl1, ss i believe at a ron fellows event here in Toronto
just handles no where near the z

i say wait for whatever this new z is trade it in at the end of the summer and wait for the new car

2fastnow

I say do it only because of larger tires up front, coilover suspension to get it the way you want it and that A10 masterpiece!
What I'm getting too is a base 17 Mustang GT with brembos up front and a Roush 727 HP beast sleeper for street fun for 45 grand out the door. Keeping my C7Z of course!

jdmdohcpower

I like it. I drove a new zl1, not that but close and it was cool but my z performancedway better. Now that is a different car and like you said will be closer to the z but I think it's a vette vs Camaro and there is prestige lost there. Also that's going to devalue pretty hard I think. I think the ultimate goal is pick up a 2 year old zr1 in 2019 so whatever floats your boat in the mean time. I does look mean as hell thou. But you could solve the cooling issues on your z if they are that relevant for the money spent on setting up the Camaro. Personally I never have issues unless it's crazy hot in which case it's not fun for me either out there. I doubt you would be any faster in that vs the z, just different.
I consider the back seat as useful but if you're like me the first mod will be bar and belts and that's the end of the back seat

BooSSted

Do it man, the ZL1 is a bad car!!

Les

I would do it without hesitation. That Camaro should be consistently very fast with little or no mods. I'd love to have one myself. Go for it and tell us what you think.

OnPoint

Seems like a good/rational plan. Run the ZL1 for a couple years and then climb into the ZR.

And I'd like to echo Boba's comments on your contribution to this forum - which has been huge and welcomed.

If you make the jump - don't be a stranger, and stop by once in a while.

spearfish25

I agree with everyone. Do it. Car ownership is about experiences and this will be a fun one. As you noted, you need a bridge to the ZR1. So either stick with what you have out of warranty (always makes me uncomfortable) or pop a little ZL1 1LE in there as a bridge.

CFHay

Word is the 2018 will be a limited production, like 750 cars for the 1LE equipped ZL1s so if you end up not liking it you might not lose money if the demand is high.

Even the SS 1LE is a huge change from the regular SS. The ZL1 1LE isn't even comparable.

Bill Dearborn

The B2B warranty is coming to an end but you still have a couple years left on the powertrain warranty which is the one that will protect you if something major happens to the powertrain. Yes, control arms, wheel hubs and some other things wouldn't be covered but the really expensive things would still be covered. The other thing you could do is add the GM Chevy Protection Plan to get a few years of almost full coverage. Your car has seen its biggest depreciation hit and isn't dropping in value as quickly now so it might be cheaper than taking another depreciation hit on a Camaro. That way the rest of us can still pick your brains on the C7 Z06 setups and problems.

Bill

Stp94

Poor-sha

Thank you everyone for the insight and the kind words. It's interesting to see the results overwhelmingly positive toward getting the Camaro. If I go for it I'll definitely still hang around CF and I'll probably start a comparison thread in this section as long as the mods will let me.

I should add that what got me looking at the Camaro was a student last weekend at the track. He had a brand new SS 1LE and let me drive it for a couple of laps. First off, the interior was very nice and in particular the HMI had this nice vibrant look to it that makes the unit in the C7 look very dated. More importantly though, I only got 3 laps in the car and we only timed one of them. That lap as a 1:42 compared to my friend who turned a best of 1:41 in his Stingray and the 1:38.6 that was my best in my CZ7. This was on the stock 1LE Goodyears compared to both vettes on MPSC2.

The SS 1LE felt very much like a 4-door Corvette on track and didn't feel at all heavy and the visibility wasn't an issue. I imagine that the ZL1 1LE will only be that much better. Now this was on Summit Point Shenandoah Circuit which is a tight technical course and not a big HP course.

Keep the input coming and I'll let everyone know if I pull the trigger. Like CFHay said they are only making 750 this year so finding one unsold and on order at MSRP makes this a hard deal to pass up.

thebishman

I'm wondering whether there will even be a Z28 version now that the ZL1 1LE has been released.

I damn well wish GM had made them with both transmissions though.

Bish

rbartick

I would keep what you have until the ZR1 is available for a good price. Trading up to a new Camaro (and then eventually trading it as well) will probably end up costing you more in the long run than just fixing stuff that breaks on your current car. Bill also has a valid point, you can purchase an extended warranty if coverage is your concern.