Camaro ZL1 Runs a 10.00 with the Drag Development Program

The road racing ZL1 can also hustle down the strip, who’da thunk it?

The Chevrolet Camaro is one of the best handling modern muscle cars, but the drag strip always has been the track where owners are most likely to take their vehicles. With that in mind, Chevrolet Performance introduced the Drag Development Program. This program allows the company to test their after-purchase performance accessories while also proving the potential of the Camaro.

The Chevrolet Performance Drag Development Program was introduced at the 2016 SEMA Show. With a list of high performance modifications, the 6^th gen Camaro SS ran a best time of 10.685 at 125.73 miles per hour. For this year’s SEMA Show, the Chevrolet Performance Drag Development Program has added the supercharged Camaro ZL1 to their efforts and the results are impressive.

In short, the Camaro ZL1 included in the Chevrolet Performance Drag Development Program laid down a 10.00-second quarter mile at 137.78 miles per hour. Most impressively, the ZL1 hit that 10-flat with a far shorter mod list than the Camaro SS that ran a 10.685.

The Drag Development Camaro ZL1

The ZL1 in the Chevrolet Performance Drag Development Program was powered by the supercharged 6.2L LT4 V8 mated to the 10-speed automatic transmission. Other factory components include the dual-mode exhaust system, electronic limited-slip differential (eLSD), a 2.85 rear gear set, Performance Traction Management system, Drive Mode Selector and the Performance Data Recorder.

Next, a list of “Drag Development Concept Features” were added to the ZL1. The list of updated power modifications includes a cold air intake system, a larger throttle body, a smaller supercharger pulley (for increased boost), and a 110-octane race fuel engine calibration. Additionally, unique Magnetic Ride Control calibration, unique transmission calibration, unique eLSD calibration, racing tires, a racing driver’s seat with a safety harness and a roll cage are included.

Finally, this Camaro ZL1 was outfitted with a few Drag Development components and Chevrolet Performance components that are already available for sale. This includes solid cradle bushings (PN 84341929) to minimize rear subframe and suspension geometry changes under hard launches. The small rear braking system (PN 84396515) helps fit the Weld Racing 16-inch rear race wheels (PN 88B-61058-GM). And, finally, a set of American Racing long-tube headers (PN CAV8-16178300LSNC).

When all of these components were added to the stock ZL1, it stormed down the quarter mile with an elapsed time of 10.00 and a trap speed of 137.78 miles per hour. On that run, the car pulled a 60-foot time of 1.415 seconds, showing just how well this modified ZL1 gets away from the starting line.

The video above from Chevrolet Performance explains the features of the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 in the Drag Development Program, but more importantly, we get to see the 10-second run firsthand, starting at the 2-minute mark in the video.

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com