SLP Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Droptop Tested: Seriously Loud and Powerful

The last thing a Camaro requirements is 324 far more horses, but that didn’t quit SLP (a.k.a. Street Legal Functionality) from making a Camaro ZL1. The unique, hyphenated ZL-1 was a $ 4160 choice pack in 1969, a box that just 69 consumers checked. An underrated 430-hp, aluminum-block seven.-liter V-eight was the highlight.

SLP adopts a comparable method with this Camaro. Its ZL1 package deal fees $ 80,000 on leading of a $ 32,750 Camaro SS coupe or $ 38,800 convertible donor, as noticed here. Just like the ’69, only 69 ZL1s will be offered by SLP. It is a juiced-up, $ 118,800 clean-and-jerk that turns heads, raises ears, and roasts rubber.

And no, this SLP ZL1 is not associated to Chevrolet’s upcoming Camaro ZL1: Years ago, SLP wisely trademarked “ZL.” Both SLP and Chevy fit an Eaton TVS supercharger to an aluminum-block V-eight. But whereas Chevy makes use of a six.two-liter LSA to churn up 580 horsepower, SLP opted for a 7.-liter LS7 generating a claimed 750 horses.

As with most megapower vehicles, the SLP is traction restricted at launch, and we wrangled a not-earthshaking 4.two-2nd -to-60-mph dash. The quarter-mile falls in 12.three seconds at 119 mph. That’s a lot more than half a second faster than a stock Camaro SS coupe in either metric. The SLP exhibits its energy at increased speeds, clearing 150 mph in 19.eight seconds, 15.6 seconds before a stocker.

With the top rated retracted, the ZL1’s roar overwhelms any road noise, with an idle reminiscent of a carbureted, hot-cam V-8. A sleeper this is not. Onlookers will simply recognize the beast generating the noise: A giant hood scoop, a splitter hanging beneath an SLP-designed front fascia, and a number of ZL1 badges give this car away.

And each examiner observed the throw-back houndstooth seats as nicely as the abundance of faux carbon fiber on the trunk, front splitter, and rear diffuser. Only the hood is genuine carbon fiber.

Even with the stiff-riding SLP adjustable suspension, the ZL1 has lots of power to overwhelm the rubber on any road windier than Woodward Avenue—something it has in widespread with the unique. It’ll hold the road up to .90 g Infant-stepping past that brings the back end close to. The exact same might occur if the supercharger’s 10. psi of max increase arrives midcorner. Drive cautiously.

Forged, 20-inch wheels wrapped in wider-than-stock Michelin Pilot Sport PS2s shroud supersized Brembo brake hardware: 15.9-inch rotors with six-piston calipers up front, 15.-inch rotors with 4-piston calipersat the rear. The big brakes didn’t slash stopping distances though, as a substitute lassoing the ZL1 from 70 mph in 159 feet, one particular foot ­longer than in the stock SS coupe.

Really don’t be concerned if you are as well late to grab a single of the 69 ZL1s. SLP will construct you a related 1, sans the ZL1 badges. Would Chevy be that accommodating?

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SLP Performance Elements, 1501 Industrial Way North, Toms River, New Jersey, 08755 732-349-2109 www.slponline.com

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