Thanks to YouTube user BaylorCamaro, you can now watch the raved about Camaro Z/28, and its supercharged counterpart, the ZL1, lap the Nürburgring side by side. As you may know, the Z/28 posted a lap time of 7:37.4, making it noticeably faster than the ZL1, which clocked in at 7:41.2.
It’s easy to see where the z/28 shaves off time over the ZL1 right from the get-go, despite the latter being more powerful. Through some of the turns, the Z/28 is 10 mph faster and at one point, through the tighter bits of the track, the z/28 is nearly 10 seconds ahead. What’s also interesting is just how much faster the ZL1 was on the Ring’s mile plus long straight, reaching 173 mph, 13 mph more than the Z/28.
Scroll below to see how the track focused Z/28 and the car that was once to be called Z/28 compare on Germany’s most demanding racetrack. To note, the Z/28 is the larger video of the two.
Comments
This is a surprise? The Z/28 is a fully gutted race ready car while the ZL1 is a fully loaded sports car. The HP difference is minor given the added weight of the ZL1 over the Z/28. Yes, what the Z/28 did is impressive, but I’d take the ZL1 all day.
The Z/28 is fully gutted, caged, only 1 seat, and has all the ZL1 gear plus runs on 19″ wheels instead of 20″ wheels. Oh, and it’s about 350-400lbs lighter. Those things make a considerable difference.
Do the same to the ZL1 and then run it….then I will care if the Z/28 is faster…
Yes the Z/28 has full seating just to clarify, even the rear seats are still present.
No, not surprising, but interesting to see where the differences are. Considering the ZL1 has a higher top speed and the magnetic shocks, where the Z/28 has 4 way adjustable shocks and a normally aspirated engine, it was pretty cool to watch. The article never claimed it was a revelation. Also, the Z/28 is not ‘fully gutted’. It doesn’t have a full cage and has full seating. Maybe, you’re thinking of the COPO?
I’m no expert but if you watch the rpm’s you may notice that one car was driven like a race car rpm’s high the other was not.
How can you compare that
The LS7 in the Z/28 redlines at 7100rpm and the LSA in the ZL1 redlines at 6200 rpm, no difference in how they were driven just different motors.
One last time………a significant part of the advantage the Z/28 has is the tires! It has 305 section Pirelli Trofeo R’s on lighter 19″ wheels. These are sticky, made for track use tires with a tread wear of 60. How else does anyone explain the huge difference in cornering speeds in the video? Yes, the lighter weight helps, as does the “track set-up” suspension with F1 style spool valves, but bolt up the Z/28 wheels/tires onto the ZL1and it would improve the times and close the gap considerably.
You answered your own question. Lighter weight and the track set-up. Camaro engineers said over 200 things were changed to acheive the 1.05g lateral grip. The tires were but one thing – a big thing, but still, it’s only part of the equation.
WOW, this is really cool my video is on GM authority!
Thanks for affirming that a purpose built car with 200 engineered changes and a different engine is 10 seconds faster than a street car over a 7
Minute lap.
Please explain the difference in the two engines ( internals )
I think what would be impressive is to combine the best of both worlds. Imagine a supercharged Z/28 or a 427 supercharged ZL1 with the Z/28 track setup tires, dampers, aero mods. Somewhere in Milford MI these some test mule I’m sure