Motor Trend Puts The ZL1 & GT500 to The Test!
06-28-2012, 11:09 PM
#22
It seems like it only won due to the superior brakes. Upgrading brakes is one thing, upgrading 100hp while trying to shed over 200lbs is another. And they start at 2 grand difference of one another? I think the Shelby is the real winner, I mean how much do upgraded brakes cost? I got chills when the shelby pulled out of the garage.
06-28-2012, 11:15 PM
#23
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but in every test i've read of the shelbys, and boss302's they all say the same thing. brake fade. i thought that was a large part of why they opted to finally go to 6 piston brakes. i don't know what kind of fluid they run though, and i guess that could make a big difference. does anyone know what the zl runs?
as much as i like my fords, stupid little things like this is how they manage to eff it up sometimes, and it's truly agitating.
06-29-2012, 12:21 AM
#24
Ford's top dog=GT500
Chevy's top dog=ZR1.......that is why the GT500 will always be faster then the ZL1 regardless of the price difference between between the top 2.
06-29-2012, 07:20 AM
#25
06-29-2012, 09:18 AM
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Why do you think cars like the Miata and BRZ/FRS always win comparos despite always having lackluster performance numbers compared to the competition?
06-29-2012, 11:20 AM
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06-29-2012, 11:56 AM
#29
I've posted in one or two of the other types of these threads, so might as well add my $0.02 here:
I think Ford did an outstanding job with the new GT500
It has the numbers and performance to back up everything the Shelby name stands for. As for brake fade, only auto x'ers and guys who track their car will notice this (as stated in the article, street braking will not experience fade).
ZL1 seems to be winning the magazine writer's over - biased or not, I am not going to argue the point that each comparison says ZL1 is the all around better car, just not faster (yes we all know the Honda justification here, but the reality is that this car is still fast, just not as fast as the GT500, where the ricers who argued handling generally didn't even handle that well nor could be considered fast in the least /rant).
Having aged a few years since I bought my 99 SS some 12 years ago, I can understand the writer's point. How much are enthusiasts really going to track these cars? There is justification for stoplight racing, highway roll racing, etc, that the ZL1 will lose, and stock for stock I agree mostly. However, not all vehicle enjoyment comes from racing. I am not declaring the ZL1 the winner as performance is first in my books, followed by form and refinement. But I do understand the point that the ZL1 is easier to launch, a better ride and easier to drive at the limit (which is equal to or greater than the GT500 for cornering). So if it's easier to road race the ZL1 to the limit, easier to launch and live with on the street, where 90+% of all driving will occur even with enthusiasts, the magazine writers make a compelling arguement.
I, like most diehard GM guys, would like to see the ZL1 perform at the same level as the GT500 in all areas. So for me, I think the GT500 is the car of choice (though I would own a Vette before a Mustang in this case) in this comparison, as do most posting here.
All I am really saying is I understand the reasons why they picked the Camaro. Maybe Ford should have left out a top speed focus and geared the car a little easier to drive on the street, perhaps upgrade brake pads or rotors??, and put some fatter tires on. Then there would be no arguement at all----then again, the Ford vs Chevy war will always find something to argue about!!
Let's just hope these types of cars continue to be available, there has never been a better time to be a car enthusiast!
I think Ford did an outstanding job with the new GT500
It has the numbers and performance to back up everything the Shelby name stands for. As for brake fade, only auto x'ers and guys who track their car will notice this (as stated in the article, street braking will not experience fade).ZL1 seems to be winning the magazine writer's over - biased or not, I am not going to argue the point that each comparison says ZL1 is the all around better car, just not faster (yes we all know the Honda justification here, but the reality is that this car is still fast, just not as fast as the GT500, where the ricers who argued handling generally didn't even handle that well nor could be considered fast in the least /rant).
Having aged a few years since I bought my 99 SS some 12 years ago, I can understand the writer's point. How much are enthusiasts really going to track these cars? There is justification for stoplight racing, highway roll racing, etc, that the ZL1 will lose, and stock for stock I agree mostly. However, not all vehicle enjoyment comes from racing. I am not declaring the ZL1 the winner as performance is first in my books, followed by form and refinement. But I do understand the point that the ZL1 is easier to launch, a better ride and easier to drive at the limit (which is equal to or greater than the GT500 for cornering). So if it's easier to road race the ZL1 to the limit, easier to launch and live with on the street, where 90+% of all driving will occur even with enthusiasts, the magazine writers make a compelling arguement.
I, like most diehard GM guys, would like to see the ZL1 perform at the same level as the GT500 in all areas. So for me, I think the GT500 is the car of choice (though I would own a Vette before a Mustang in this case) in this comparison, as do most posting here.
All I am really saying is I understand the reasons why they picked the Camaro. Maybe Ford should have left out a top speed focus and geared the car a little easier to drive on the street, perhaps upgrade brake pads or rotors??, and put some fatter tires on. Then there would be no arguement at all----then again, the Ford vs Chevy war will always find something to argue about!!
Let's just hope these types of cars continue to be available, there has never been a better time to be a car enthusiast!
Last edited by NW-99SS; 06-29-2012 at 12:01 PM.
06-29-2012, 05:08 PM
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06-29-2012, 09:35 PM
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06-30-2012, 03:01 AM
#34
Since most of you say that the majority of the runs between these two will be stop light to stop light lets take a look at this part of story....
(When you're putting that much torque to just two tires, these things happen. The Mustang and its extra 75 lb-ft of torque suffer more here, with more wheel spin and more sliding around. As a result, the race is actually very close through the first two gears until the Mustang finally hooks up and walks away in third.
Read more: http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/co...#ixzz1zGESTGSR)
Seems to me like it's going to come down to a drivers race since most stop light to stop light don't see 100mph+ speeds. Now just think about how much easier it will be for a auto ZL1 to hook on the street compared to the stick only GT500.We all know the GT500 will hand the ZL1 it's *** on the track(prepped surface) but I feel on the street it's going to be a pain trying to put that much power down with no prep and skinny tires.
(When you're putting that much torque to just two tires, these things happen. The Mustang and its extra 75 lb-ft of torque suffer more here, with more wheel spin and more sliding around. As a result, the race is actually very close through the first two gears until the Mustang finally hooks up and walks away in third.
Read more: http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/co...#ixzz1zGESTGSR)
Seems to me like it's going to come down to a drivers race since most stop light to stop light don't see 100mph+ speeds. Now just think about how much easier it will be for a auto ZL1 to hook on the street compared to the stick only GT500.We all know the GT500 will hand the ZL1 it's *** on the track(prepped surface) but I feel on the street it's going to be a pain trying to put that much power down with no prep and skinny tires.
06-30-2012, 08:00 AM
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Since most of you say that the majority of the runs between these two will be stop light to stop light lets take a look at this part of story....
(When you're putting that much torque to just two tires, these things happen. The Mustang and its extra 75 lb-ft of torque suffer more here, with more wheel spin and more sliding around. As a result, the race is actually very close through the first two gears until the Mustang finally hooks up and walks away in third.
Read more: http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/co...#ixzz1zGESTGSR)
Seems to me like it's going to come down to a drivers race since most stop light to stop light don't see 100mph+ speeds. Now just think about how much easier it will be for a auto ZL1 to hook on the street compared to the stick only GT500.We all know the GT500 will hand the ZL1 it's *** on the track(prepped surface) but I feel on the street it's going to be a pain trying to put that much power down with no prep and skinny tires.
(When you're putting that much torque to just two tires, these things happen. The Mustang and its extra 75 lb-ft of torque suffer more here, with more wheel spin and more sliding around. As a result, the race is actually very close through the first two gears until the Mustang finally hooks up and walks away in third.
Read more: http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/co...#ixzz1zGESTGSR)
Seems to me like it's going to come down to a drivers race since most stop light to stop light don't see 100mph+ speeds. Now just think about how much easier it will be for a auto ZL1 to hook on the street compared to the stick only GT500.We all know the GT500 will hand the ZL1 it's *** on the track(prepped surface) but I feel on the street it's going to be a pain trying to put that much power down with no prep and skinny tires.
06-30-2012, 08:41 AM
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Since most of you say that the majority of the runs between these two will be stop light to stop light lets take a look at this part of story....
(When you're putting that much torque to just two tires, these things happen. The Mustang and its extra 75 lb-ft of torque suffer more here, with more wheel spin and more sliding around. As a result, the race is actually very close through the first two gears until the Mustang finally hooks up and walks away in third.
Read more: http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/co...#ixzz1zGESTGSR)
Seems to me like it's going to come down to a drivers race since most stop light to stop light don't see 100mph+ speeds. Now just think about how much easier it will be for a auto ZL1 to hook on the street compared to the stick only GT500.We all know the GT500 will hand the ZL1 it's *** on the track(prepped surface) but I feel on the street it's going to be a pain trying to put that much power down with no prep and skinny tires.
(When you're putting that much torque to just two tires, these things happen. The Mustang and its extra 75 lb-ft of torque suffer more here, with more wheel spin and more sliding around. As a result, the race is actually very close through the first two gears until the Mustang finally hooks up and walks away in third.
Read more: http://m.motortrend.com/roadtests/co...#ixzz1zGESTGSR)
Seems to me like it's going to come down to a drivers race since most stop light to stop light don't see 100mph+ speeds. Now just think about how much easier it will be for a auto ZL1 to hook on the street compared to the stick only GT500.We all know the GT500 will hand the ZL1 it's *** on the track(prepped surface) but I feel on the street it's going to be a pain trying to put that much power down with no prep and skinny tires.
It is going to be bad for the ZL1 on the street.
06-30-2012, 09:34 AM
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06-30-2012, 09:53 AM
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What does the extra performance pack include, and how do you know it wouldn't be close?