[Detltu]

I am new to the board and a big fan of the ZL-1 and I was wondering some technical details about the ZL-1. I know most of the basic history of the car but I was wondering some specifics about what makes a ZL-1 a ZL-1 besides the engine. Did the ZL-1 have the same suspension as the Z/28? What about brakes?

Any help would be appreciated.

[clill]

http://www.copo.com/

[Detltu]

Originally Posted by clill

http://www.copo.com/

Thanks for the reply. I have read pretty much that whole site and haven't really found what I'm looking for.

[clill]

Brakes were standard power front disc and rear drum. Rear was a Heavy Duty 12 bolt. They all had TI ignition. All had cowl induction.

[JOE58]

also the auto trans ZL1 had a special built trans like the iron block 427 Camaros. Shift point was about 6200 RPM

[Detltu]

thanks for the replys guys. I noticed Motor Trend Classic has an article on one of the ZL-1 RS's thats pretty good reading if you get a chance. The article mentions that the ZL-1 has the F-41(I think) suspension from the SS and that it doesn't handle as well as the Z/28. Why is this? It says this was the best suspension available at the time so what makes the Z/28 handle better. It was my understanding that the ZL-1 weighed approximately the same as the iron small blocks. Also I noticed in the article as clill mentioned that the ZL-1 had rear drums. Did any 69 Camaro's come with 4 wheel discs?

[Detltu]

This website has a lot of good info on the ZL-1 as well for anyone who wonders in http://www.camaros.org

[HawaiianCamaro]

4-wheel disc brakes (that included a 12-bolt axle and 15-inch wheels on any model) were an option on all cars. Only 206 were made. A service upgrade 4-wheel disc brake kit based on the Corvette was available for dealer installation into Camaro starting in 1968 (sometimes called both J56 and JL8) and many were sold, but it differed from the "official" 1969 factory JL8 released version in a number of details.

Taken from the CRG site

Good reading

http://www.camaros.org/index.shtml

[Larger Dave]

The ZL-1 was built to be a factory race car for TransAm and the early days of CanAm (before they got way to exotic, ala McClarren). A suspension designed to handle road racing characteristics expected when cornering at 80 to 120 mph are different than those encountered on the street. The lumber wagon stiff suspension would be far to harsh to handle a slalom course set up for stock cars. Same for straight line racing, spring rates and shock valving would prevent weight transfer


Larger Dave

[Vintage 68]

Originally Posted by Larger Dave

The ZL-1 was built to be a factory race car for TransAm and the early days of CanAm (before they got way to exotic, ala McClarren)...

Larger Dave

Just as a point of clarification...

A "ZL-1" would not qualify for Trans-Am series and would not be even close to competitive in Canadian-American Challenge racing...
McLaren era was over after 1969 season (team did stay in 'Can-Am' racing until 1974) and they ran both chevy and ford (even saw one with a Pont. in it...) powerplants...

They did make a great NHRA SS/C (7.38 #/hp) racer though
And if you ordered the optional 9737 'Sports Car Conversion Package' I'm sure they would corner a little better...

JMHO's
John

[Detltu]

Originally Posted by HawaiianCamaro

4-wheel disc brakes (that included a 12-bolt axle and 15-inch wheels on any model) were an option on all cars. Only 206 were made. A service upgrade 4-wheel disc brake kit based on the Corvette was available for dealer installation into Camaro starting in 1968 (sometimes called both J56 and JL8) and many were sold, but it differed from the "official" 1969 factory JL8 released version in a number of details.

Taken from the CRG site

Good reading

http://www.camaros.org/index.shtml

Thanks, I wonder why none of the ZL-1's appear to have been ordered with this option from the factory. I know it was a rare option and it cost about 5-600 bucks so maybe that was it.

[69cama]

The ZL1 was built for DRAG RACING. Mostly base cars with no options other than disc brakes with a few exceptions. I recently saw copies of the the window stickers for the ZL1 cars and talked for several hours with a man who owned and raced the No. 51 car when it was new. It was a real treat to hear about these cars history.

[Mark C]

4000 dollars for the engine alone was one reason they didn't have many options on them. They were built for drag racing, no need to spend another 500 dollars on brakes when the car already cost 7500 dollars.

[Detltu]

So if the ZL-1 shared the F41 suspension with the SS, what suspension did the Z/28 have?

[clill]

Fred Gibb , owner of Fred Gibb Chevrolet was the man that convinced Chevrolet to build the cars and ordered 50 ZL1's. He wanted it for drag racing. He had no idea it was going to cost so much. Helen Gibb , Fred's widow attends many of the Supercar shows and usually brings something neat.