Modified Camaro SS vs Near-Stock Camaro ZL1 Drag Race

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Once mods come into the equation, which fifth-gen will have the edge?

This interesting drag racing quandry comes to us from the YouTube channel of Andrew Cammer. And it’s going to be settled by a quarter mile battle between a pair of fifth-generation Camaros. The camera is riding in the SS in the left lane, while the ZL1 is in the right lane.

In stock form, a fifth-gen Camaro ZL1 would demolish a stock Camaro SS. That’s the power of power, and boost. However, the SS in this race isn’t stock, making this a much more entertaining drag race.

The fifth-gen duel

The Camaro SS in the left lane is powered by the LS3 V8 mated to the 6-speed manual transmission. Aftermarket upgrades include 1 7/8-inch headers, high flow catalytic convertors, an x-pipe, exhaust cutouts, a cold air intake, a ported throttle body and a good tune. This setup is good for a claimed 412 rear-wheel horsepower. This car also has a 160-degree thermostat and a new master cylinder, for what it’s worth. Oh, and while there is no mention of tires, we would bet that this car has some stickier-than-stock skins out back.

Modified Camaro SS vs Near-Stock Camaro ZL1 Drag Race

The Camaro ZL1 in the left lane is powered by the supercharged LSA, also mated to the 6-speed manual transmission. The only claimed modification is a cold air intake setup. Even still, with 580 stock horsepower this car is putting a lot more power to the rear tires than the SS.

At first, things appear to be going well for the naturally aspirated Chevy. However, around half-track, we see the black ZL1 scoot past on its way to the win. In the end, the Camaro SS runs a 12.74 at 112 miles per hour while the ZL1 runs a 12.27 at almost 117 miles per hour.

"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


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