Camaro ZL1 eLSD Gets New Drag Racing Calibration for Better Launches
Simple new software update available at dealerships helps your 2017-2019 Camaro ZL1 do better burnouts.
The new Camaro ZL1 1LE is, of course, designed to go fast around a track. Which is somewhat of a break with muscle car tradition, a genre that’s typically focused on going fast in a straight line. That’s not to say that the ZL1 can’t be a solid drag racer, of course, but it could be better. Now, the Camaro team is throwing us straight line performance fans a bit of a bone in the form of a new performance calibration for the Camaro ZL1’s electronic limited slip differential (eLSD).
According to GM, the new calibration “enables more consistent burnout performance for improved drag strip launches.” So how, you ask, did they pull that off? Well, the new calibration doubles the differential coupling torque during burnouts and launches. It does this by increasing the pressure applied to the clutch pack. This in turn prevents relative slip between the clutch plates, which helps burnouts warm both tires evenly.
Even better, adding this eLSD Drag Race Calibration requires nothing more than a trip to the dealership. The dealer simply reprograms the Chassis Control Module using the Service Programming System (SPS). Module software and utility files are updated along with the calibration files. Finally, they’ll clear any DTCs that set during reprogramming.
The calibration works on 2017-2019 Camaro ZL1 models and won’t even void your warranty. Of course, to enable it, you must first disable traction control and electronic stability control (ESC). To do that, simply press and hold the traction control button for five seconds. Though GM doesn’t recommend doing this on public roads (wink, wink).
While some decry the use of computers in modern vehicles, this eLSD update is proof that technology can be used for good. After all, it would have been hard to imagine, decades ago, that we could make our cars faster or better at drag racing with a simple software reflash. But now, this type of thing is happening not just at some crack speed shop down the road, but actual, licensed dealerships. Ain’t the future grand?
Photos: General Motors
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