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This just in, the 2012 Camaro ZL1 Dealer Reference Guide. Check out the attachment. Note the interesting comparisons with the competition.

I think one of the opening quotes says it all.

 

I just read through all 18 pages and wow, it sounds like the ultimate Camaro.

 

Why no hp numbers listed for the GT500? Are they not available yet?

I need to win the lottery

 

Just when I spent the weekend convincing myself I really didn't "need" the ZL1, you guys go and put this up...

 

That 1,500mile break in period is gonna be killer!

 

Wow, that's some serious piece of hardware.

While reading that, I kept wondering if Chevy could make something in between the SS and the ZL1.
It sounds like this thing is almost a race car. Like it's almost too much. I couldn't get over the "cautions" and "notes".

 

The Shelby puts out 550Hp and 510ft-lbs at around 6200/4400 respectively (don't recall exact RPMs off the top of my head).

Of course, comparing the 2012 GT500 to the 2012 ZL1 is kind of pointless anyway, since the 2013 Shelby will be out about the same time as the ZL1 starts hitting the dealers. But of course there isn't much official info on that one yet.

 

Huh, looks like Charlie was pretty much dead on, on the weight.

The only thing we know for sure, for the GT500, is the 5.8L engine. That was revealed in the UAW contract info.

 

Pretty cool, just two things, does the F5 come with saddle tanks or just one fule tank, and the GT500 does indeed come with an oil cooler. Its a wierd little beast that stangely if you remove it, you have to replace it. The oil cooler is mounted on a cast aluminum manifold that relocates the oil filter as well. Its a liquid to liquid design.

 

Reading things over I saw a couple points that were interesting.

First is the comment about the rear diff lube. "For ZL1 track/competitive driving, replace the axle fluid every 6 hours"

Does this mean that for their 24 hour tests they replaced the diff lube 4 times? Seems a little excessive given the cooler is there. Makes me wonder what the normal service interval is.

Second is the comment on tires. "It is recommended these tires be stored indoors at temperatures above 20 degrees F (-7 degrees C) when not in use". Might not be practical for some buyers.

Both of these comments seem like something suppliers came up with. It would be interesting to know the specifics behind their thinking.

 

THe Shelby with the Performance Pack has the same tires and, while I don't remember the specifics, similar recommendations. The manual even states something along the lines of "The tires are not recommended for use in under 40 degree temperatures"

 

I can tell you all first hand that the Nitto NT05s I have on my car (which has ZL1 power+) when the surface is cold and/or wet, there is very little traction. I am thinking anything below 45 degrees and I have to drive very carefully.

 

Any summer rated tire will have that warning, on my 09 GT500 when the tempurature approached, got down to or below 40 degrees traction went away by a good margin. Even just pulling away from the stop light on slightly bumpy asphalt would result in bad axle hop - enough so that I installed a set of tubular lower arms in conjunction with relocators since I was afraid that the continued axle hop at low temps would damage the rear axle.


On a side note for the S-197 owner that uses thier car for drag racing and spirited street driving, I'd reccomend going through the trouble of installing the upper arm as well. For whatever reason Ford uses a 14mm bolt in a 16mm hole to locate the arm to the body and I guess with the stock setup its not an issue but the relocated lower control arms accelerate the deterioration of that rubber bushing that fits between the bolt and the hole and will lead to a knock in the floor.

 

The point about summer tire traction and grip being reduced at temperatures at or below 40 degrees isn't surprising or new. What I was noting is that they are recommending the tires be stored above 20 degrees F when not in use.

My point is that if an owner lives in a cold climate with an unheated garage they will need to find some place warm to keep the tires over the winter.

 

I got that, which is why I said I've heard similar things about the Shelby tires. I added the 40 degree thing because I remembered seeing it in the manual, but I didn't feel like going through the manual to see if it specifically mentioned the 20 degree thing, but I have heard it.