ZL-1/TH400?

JBB · #1 03-30-2002, 12:29 AM

Can anyone clarify a question on the production of ZL-1's with the TH-400. Were there any ZL-1's produced with a TH-400 from the factory??...............Joel

**William** · #2 03-30-2002, 01:31 AM

Of the 69 built 22 were automatic. 20 of these were ordered by Gibb Chev.

Only one automatic had a console, remainder were column shift.

JBB · #3 03-30-2002, 02:48 AM

Was that TH400 the venerable "CX" code with the six point converter and higher shift point?

**William** · #4 03-30-2002, 03:16 AM

yes

JBB · #5 03-31-2002, 03:04 AM

I guess there are not to many of those transmissions floating around. I am looking for one for our L-78, thank you for your previous information.

JBB · #6 03-31-2002, 03:09 AM

Why would the shifts be on the column as opposed to the RPO M11 floor shift? Is it possible to make the assumption that in lieu of the high cost of the ZL-1 option, Chevy chose a cheaper route to help from the shock
of the doubled base car price for the ZL-1 option?................Joel

**tom406** · #7 03-31-2002, 03:27 AM

Same reason the ZL1's came with exhaust manifolds that didn't match up-they were built to race. I think a console was required with floor shift, and that was just more cost and weight for something the racers would throw out anyway. (Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think Yenko converted his automatic iron COPO's to floor shift himself.) Today we covet things that didn't make a lot of sense back then, i.e. super high horsepower engines in option-loaded, heavier cars and convertibles.

JBB · #8 04-01-2002, 12:27 AM

Yes I agree. The field back then was wide open for almost any option set-up you wanted.
I was born in the wrong time.......Joel

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