[m6-lt1]

Is the power discrepancy noticeable at lower and normal highway speeds (35-85 mph)? If it’s not that noticeable is it very noticeable from say 60+ mph? I’m aware that horsepower discrepancy mostly starts to show the faster a car is going. Trying to figure out if it’s worth upgrading to a 650+ hp car or not. Like if it’s not that noticeable down low or from say 60-130 mph (there is a half mile event near me) I may just put off upgrading.

I also want to make it clear I don’t actually care much about the car accelerating faster. I know a zl1 accelerates faster the faster you’re going versus an SS. What I want to know is if zl1’s shove you back into the seat MUCH harder than your SS did. That’s what I mean when I’m asking if the power discrepancy is more noticeable because I know acceleration wise from lower speed traction will be a problem at lower speeds. If you went manual to auto please provide that info because I believe there is a noticeable difference in a10 acceleration versus manual.

[BunnyBoy]

Hard to read what you are trying to say but-



Yes, going from a cammed c6 with 440 whp to ZL1 was world of difference. Faster in every way. It pulls like a freight train all over the speeds and RPM.

[Curr]

2017 M6 SS 50th convertible (tuned, probably ~25RWHP gain) to 2022 M6 ZL1 coupe (stock).

The answer to your question is "it depends" for my case.

Say 35-85... I can be in 4th gear at 35 in the ZL1. Then floor it, and it will go, faster than an SS, for sure, especially the deeper into the RPM you go and power builds.
I can also be in 1st gear at 35MPH... well floor it, you better hope it's warm out or you're gonna spin. If you don't spin, and it grips, then yes, there is MUCH more thrust than a SS. 100% noticeable and will give you a sh*t eating grin.

For an auto, in Performance shift, I'd imagine it'd be easily noticeable, too, since it'll want to keep you in the meaty section of the powerband.

Driving a ZL1 'lightly' there is almost no perceptible difference between the cars. In fact, the ZL1 is more nose heavy, than a SSLE, but once again not sure anyone who hasn't tracked would notice it, I sure don't.

Driven in anger, the ZL1 is bonkers. That's honestly the best word I could come up for it.

My good buddy at work tunes his own cars, on E85, a 2019 GT 5.0 PP1, and during his first drive of my car all he could say was "Holy sh*t... so much power, everywhere..."

My previous performance car was a '17 911 S with a PDK, so I am kind of familiar with 'fast' things.

So in short, yeah, it's a step change in power, that is 100% as noticeable as you want it to be.

[ZPirate]

Originally Posted by Curr

The answer to your question is "it depends" for my case.

Say 35-85... I can be in 4th gear at 35 in the ZL1. Then floor it, and it will go, faster than an SS, for sure, especially the deeper into the RPM you go and power builds.
I can also be in 1st gear at 35MPH... well floor it, you better hope it's warm out or you're gonna spin. If you don't spin, and it grips, then yes, there is MUCH more thrust than a SS. 100% noticeable and will give you a sh*t eating grin.

Driving a ZL1 'lightly' there is almost no perceptible difference between the cars. In fact, the ZL1 is more nose heavy, than a SSLE, but once again not sure anyone who hasn't tracked would notice it, I sure don't.

Driven in anger, the ZL1 is bonkers. That's honestly the best word I could come up for it.

So in short, yeah, it's a step change in power, that is 100% as noticeable as you want it to be.

As someone who came from a manual SS 1LE to a manual ZL1 I couldn't agree more with Curr's comments above.

The ZL1 is basically a SS 1LE on steroids, with slightly more weight on the nose. Driven normally it basically drives like an SS 1LE. However, when you get on it, even for a few seconds, the acceleration is bonkers and the speed increases noticeable faster than in a 1LE. And traction on throttle is definitely more of an issue in the ZL1.

[m6-lt1]

Thanks all. Sounds like the Zl1/650+ HP car will push me through the seat based on your descriptions which is exactly what I want haha.

[arpad_m]

Originally Posted by m6-lt1

Thanks all. Sounds like the Zl1/650+ HP car will push me through the seat based on your descriptions which is exactly what I want haha.

I think your question could be reframed as "does that thing hit harder", and the answer is yes, it does.

It's hard to express the physical sensation using numbers, but check out my approximate torque by rpm table, you'll see that the ZL1 has 50% more torque roughly up to 4000 rpm, and even after that retains a 40%-ish lead throughout the rev range.

        SS      ZL1
2000    365     550
2500    400     600
3000    420     625
3500    435     650
4000    450     650
4500    455     635
5000    450     625
5500    425     600
6000    400     585

This is the difference you'll feel when flooring the accelerator, and 40-50% is not too shabby, it's very-very noticeable.

Now if you take it a few notches further, that's when words like "bonkers" come to mind My car is already scary frikken fast with a good amount of extra power over a ZL1 (at less weight, too), but the real deal is those 850-900 rwhp beefed up ZL1s, once you ride in or drive one of those, it's a jaw dropping experience, the only words I can think of is absolutely brutal and visceral.

[CalgaryZL1]

95% of the time, my car stock has enough power for me. I think a 100 shot of nitrous for the other 5% is probably all I would need.

[Ericdared]

Very noticeable difference. I went from a 23 2SS to a 22 ZL1 both 10speed auto. As others have said just putting around they feel about the same. The ZL1's suspension is a bit tighter and the braking is much better, it was the first thing I noticed when I drove it. When you get past 30% throttle you really notice it. The power the PD blower makes is all across the RPM range and very, very noticeable.

[Z OH 6]

The ZL1 is going to accelerate quicker at any speed because of the additional HP and Torque. You could make the argument that from 0-60 the difference might be less noticeable only because the ZL1 will be more traction limited.