"Mystery" Chevelle LS-6 in NEW Muscle Car Review???

[Stefano]

Hey Charley, I heard somewhere that GM didn't even bother trying to design new exhaust manifolds for the ZL1 as no one could possibly ever consider running one that way.

I think it was in a Kum-by-ya verse lead by SixtiesMuscle [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/tongue.gif[/img]

I just lost my desire to keep the smog set up and stock manifolds when a Hugger Orange 1969 Camaro with ZL1 emblems on the fenders and a Blue small block stoker Nova humiliated me during a stop light confrontation just recently.

I did however take out my frustration on a late Model 5.0 Mustang and 396 Chevelle on the way back home.

I also have considered when my LS6 is finally framed off (when ever I can find the $, and Rick Nelson can find the time...) doing a "day two" type retoration (headers, maybe a set of Cragers, an actual oil pressure gauge, etc). I really wonder why we don't see more cars done this way. It allows you to enjoy your car, get better performance, and still keep the value, since you hang onto the original dated parts. I get kinda tired of going to car shows and seeing people argue over what is technically correct anyway.

[Chevy454]

Pete's ZL-1 seems to do very well through the stock, untouched manifolds! I would call low 12s on Polyglass and through manifolds doing "pretty damn well"[img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/grin.gif[/img]! Heck, his yellow COPO Chevelle ran 12.80s(?) with the stock manifolds and working smog setup!

You guys should make a pilgrimage to the Pure Stock Drags sometime...these cars actually WILL run through the stock exhaust setup...

[68l30]

Rob,your right about Pete's car.I have some video of it at Norwalk ( in the box lighting the tires ) and the sound is incredible......

Steve

[Stefano]

You Pure Stock Drag Super Car guys are the exception which proves the rule.

What COPO Pete and a few others have been able to accomplish is truely inspiring [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img]

[Charley Lillard]

And why is he running Polyglas on a 69 ZL1 ? I have yet to find a orig. Polyglas tire on a 69 Camaro. 12's are pretty neat with exhaust manifolds but I hate to think about the time spent getting the car to the point where it does that.

[COPO PETE]

[img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/confused.gif[/img] I really don't understand why people think it takes a lot of time to get a car in the 12's. Anycar that goes 108 mph is capable of 12's. My Chevelle, which still had the spiral shocks on it, original drivtrain, was in the 12's by the third time to the track. My orange Camaro was in the 12's by the second time to the track, and my white Camaro has seen nothing but 12's. Good exhaust and gearing is the ticket, but valve lash, timing and carb adjustments are very important. Driving is half the battle. I would do John Force burnouts all the way down the track if not careful. Your ass has to feel the rear tires, and learn to lift the foot ever so slightly and get back in it at the right time! When Jimmy and I were at a track once with a gentleman that was having troubles getting his ZL-1 to do the #'s, we dicked with it for 40 minutes for him..... picked up 8 mph and half a second. Not much time spent there!
Peter

I would agree....I know from personal experience that really any of the solid lifter cars are legitimate 12 sec rides off the showroom floor. The problems I think tend to be most people don't keep their cars properly tuned (let's face it a lot of these cars are rarely driven), and a lack of 1/4 mile driving skills. Also gearing and carb jetting are important as well...

[Chevy454]

Well said, Pete. Our Camaro has been flirting with 108 mph for a while now, and we just can't seem to get over the hump. A couple of high 107s at Stanton, but nothing better. Maybe the new exhaust will help. [img]/ubbthreads/images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

Believe me, fellas. If I can get a car in the 12s, then anyone can do it! Our Camaro went consistent 13.20s (and I mean bracket car consistent) with the tired engine the first year at Stanton, but the mph was down at around 104. With a decent exhaust, and a clue as to what we were doing, I think 12s would have happened.