2017 ZL1 Top Speed - 173 mph Gear Limited......Really??

IcebourgGT500

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Aug 23, 2002
Messages
1,332
Location
Baton Rouge Louisiana
Saw the test run from John Hennessy ( spelling ??) on the new 2017 ZL1 top speed. He stated the car is ( manual transmission ) rear gear / 5th gear limited to 173 mph hitting the limiter. I was thinking the car would have a little more top end than that. Thoughts??
 

mustangmanjeff

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
May 8, 2005
Messages
4,228
Location
somewhereland mexico CT
..you know we are jaded with power in the year 2016.. when you say " thought it would have more top end then that" when it hits almost 170+ almost 180 mph in bone stock trim . for any car its not aerodynamic like a vette or exotic, the new camaro its still esentially a "brick"... just a more redesign of the last 5th gen brick. now the vette with same power plant will do 190 being its better gearing lower stance and aero design. go back to the 90's most cars were topping out at 140 or governor limited to 155mph. and exotic and c5 vette etc were 170mph cars! now we say " 170 is that all ? lol "
 

Catmonkey

I Void Warranties!
Established Member
Premium Member
Joined
May 20, 2011
Messages
3,854
Location
Louisiana
With a 305/35-20 rear tire, 3.27:1 rear end ratio and a 6,600 rpm redline, I have to think Chevy has a lower 5th gear ratio than GT500s. Looking at the specs for the first ZL1, 5th gear was .8:1. With a lower 6th gear ratio too, I don't think it's done at 173 mph.
 

noldevin

Active Member
Established Member
Joined
Sep 7, 2014
Messages
720
Location
New Jersey
Is that really a problem though? Really? How often is it actually feasible to go faster than that? lol

I'd much rather have a car that is geared to be more fun below such a dangerously high speed.
 

13COBRA

Resident Ford Dealer
Established Member
Premium Member
Single Barrel Sirs
Joined
Jun 4, 2012
Messages
22,317
Location
Missouri
I bet it's in the mid to upper 180s.

Hennesey also said he would stop using other people's parts and money on the projects he works on......
 

351stang

Beast ZL1
Established Member
Joined
Mar 21, 2001
Messages
1,174
Location
Charlotte, NC
I saw 181 on the video at 5400ish RPM. Start watching at about the 6:40 Mark. That automatic is weird.....RPMs constantly stay between 4500-5500 RPM.

 

merkyworks

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Apr 5, 2016
Messages
980
Location
Houston
No matter how much fun it is to shift a 6 speed manual you would have to be crazy to not get the 10 speed auto.
 

93 347 Cobra

Well-Known Member
Established Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2002
Messages
2,463
Location
Denver
I don't think 173 is accurate, I think Hennessey ran out of room on that stretch of public highway he's been using.

What's the 6th gear ratio on the ZL1?
 

Users who are viewing this thread



Top