Drag Race Showdown: 2020 GT500 vs Challenger Hellcat Redeye vs Camaro ZL1!

[millhouse]

Nobody in their right mind is going to autocross a GT500, so that’s a moot point. There are some who feel that if the GT500 does not significantly outperform the ZL1 1LE on both technical track and those with long straights, it is somehow a failure. Simply not true.

Agreed.

With that said, they have tested the GT500 on a tighter track....against the GT3 RS. It did quite well if I do recall.

I think the CFTP likely will outperform the ZLE even on those smaller technical tracks.

 

[thill444]

Haha, yes...but only in regards to the track (not absurd DA and Temp claims), and not for the reasons he thinks. He seems to think GM has somehow tuned these vehicles better than Ford....when in all reality, any higher horsepower car has a more difficult time finding traction on the street than lower horsepower cars.

A clock is right twice a day.

Especially RWD, FWD cars. This is entirely why GM moved to mid engine for the C8. Because just throwing more horespower and wider tires at the problem will only get you so far... And they did that with the ZR1.

 

[millhouse]

Especially RWD, FWD cars. This is entirely why GM moved to mid engine for the C8. Because just throwing more horespower and wider tires at the problem will only get you so far... And they did that with the ZR1.

Agreed.

 

[thill444]

Agreed.

With that said, they have tested the GT500 on a tighter track....against the GT3 RS. It did quite well if I do recall.

I think the CFTP likely will outperform the ZLE even on those smaller technical tracks.

Yes. Chuckwalla. And it was a virtual tie with Randy Pobst behind the wheel. I suspect with more seat time he would have come out on top with the GT500.

But clearly the GT500 has both the handling and power.

 

[Minn19]

There is so much more to a car than specs. I don't necessarily agree that Ford was trying to beat the Camaro with the GT350. If that was the intention they would not have spent all the money on R&D on the engine and they would have given the car a DCT or at least the 10 speed.

Minn19 you have owned both and I have a lot of seat time in both, but also owned a C7/Z51 with the LT1 and they are very differently designed engines. Ford really wanted that FPC with the wide and linear powerband. Peak torque is just not there down low like the LT1. As much as people love to compare the specs and numbers if you drive the cars back to back (I have numerous times) they both have very different personalities. Both have great manual gearboxes and excellent handling, but Ford seemed to focus more on putting the money towards an engine and exhaust that have more character than trying to chase lap times. Otherwise they could have easily just added more power through FI, etc to a Coyote and gone that route (maybe 600-650hp for the GT350). And then offered the automatic as we have seen those can make a big difference in performance.

I dunno. How many people shop and buy the car that has slightly better track numbers anyway? I don't. There were many other things that drew me to the GT350 just like I am sure other people are drawn to the Camaro for it's reasons.

Agreed, I don't buy a car based solely off of numbers and it is a mish mash of everything in my decision making process. I think I was unfairly criticized for only caring about numbers when I was talking about the SS 1LE vs the GT350s. I was attracted to the uniqueness of the Voodoo and some other things as well. It truly is a unique drivers car. I'm seriously bummed that Ford didn't live up to their end of the bargain for that car quality/reliability wise (my opinions from my own experiences). It is a truly unique car that will have its reputation marred because of Ford's bean counters etc. Again, my own opinion etc. I remember many people on this site criticizing the GT350 because it was slow and overpriced for what you got. This site seems like a very drag race/straight line speed over road course mentality though. Which, makes sense because that was the 'Stangs thing forever. The GT350 is the first Mustang I ever wanted because of that. But, I still think Ford was truly surprised when GM came out with the ZL1/ZLE and just how capable they were.

I'm sure I'd be happy with a SS 1LE, but like any car guy I to love HP/TQ etc. I also love the ZLE for its own unique qualities, mainly the suspension set up etc. I will say I have more fun with the LT4 than the Voodoo on the street, but I also really like the ZLEs shifter/transmission combo over the GT350s. I'll have to wait a few months to see how I feel about the LT4 vs the Voodoo for on track feel. I had a MGW and I still never completely loved it. I know I'm an outlier and I never understood the praise for the GT350s shifter. Maybe because the MT-82 is soooo bad.

But, that is why you make up your own mind as to what you like and talk shit here and elsewhere for the fun of it.

 

[ZRacerLE]

Is that governed for the GT500? That surprises me it would be that low compared to the others. I always thought top speed is a fairly meaningless stat anyways and extremely rarely comes into play. All of these cars have enough legs to for all US road courses. I could be wrong, but I'm not sure if you can hit the top speed on any of them. Maybe COTAs main straight, Daytona's banked sweeper? Road America's main straight is really long, but I don't think long enough. Any way, you get my point.

Has to be governed. 760hp with a drag limited 180mph top speed would probably imply well over 1000lbs of down force I think.

That's based off the Viper ACR being drag limited to about 170mph with about 1000lbs of down force and 640hp. The non ACR would top out over 200mph.

I would guess the drag limit on the GT500 to be over 210 mph, like the ZR1.

Just extremely rough estimation though...

 

[roygriffin2020]

Is that governed for the GT500? That surprises me it would be that low compared to the others. I always thought top speed is a fairly meaningless stat anyways and extremely rarely comes into play. All of these cars have enough legs to for all US road courses. I could be wrong, but I'm not sure if you can hit the top speed on any of them. Maybe COTAs main straight, Daytona's banked sweeper? Road America's main straight is really long, but I don't think long enough. Any way, you get my point.

Well, down in Texas where everything is bigger and better. Longer is better. So it comes up a lot here.

Me personally, I like going 150+, in Mexico of course.

https://texasmile.net/texas-mile/

 

[02gtnh]

Another review.

https://www.caranddriver.com/review...ng-shelby-gt500-vs-2019-chevy-camaro-zl1-1le/

 

[thill444]

Agreed, I don't buy a car based solely off of numbers and it is a mish mash of everything in my decision making process. I think I was unfairly criticized for only caring about numbers when I was talking about the SS 1LE vs the GT350s. I was attracted to the uniqueness of the Voodoo and some other things as well. It truly is a unique drivers car. I'm seriously bummed that Ford didn't live up to their end of the bargain for that car quality/reliability wise (my opinions from my own experiences). It is a truly unique car that will have its reputation marred because of Ford's bean counters etc. Again, my own opinion etc. I remember many people on this site criticizing the GT350 because it was slow and overpriced for what you got. This site seems like a very drag race/straight line speed over road course mentality though. Which, makes sense because that was the 'Stangs thing forever. The GT350 is the first Mustang I ever wanted because of that. But, I still think Ford was truly surprised when GM came out with the ZL1/ZLE and just how capable they were.

I'm sure I'd be happy with a SS 1LE, but like any car guy I to love HP/TQ etc. I also love the ZLE for its own unique qualities, mainly the suspension set up etc. I will say I have more fun with the LT4 than the Voodoo on the street, but I really like the ZLEs shifter/transmission combo over the GT350s. I'll have to wait a few months to see how I feel about the LT4 vs the Voodoo for on track feel. I had a MGW and I still never completely loved it. I know I'm an outlier and I never understood the praise for the GT350s shifter. Maybe because the MT-82 is soooo bad.

But, that is why you make up your own mind as to what you like and talk shit here and elsewhere for the fun of it.

I can't fault you for the reliability and customer service issues you encountered. I am not a brand fanboy if my GT350 turns into a headache I will dump it and move on to something else too. I was very close to buying another C7 (either GS or Z06) but got bit by the GT350 after the first test drive.

 

[Minn19]

Exactly what I was trying to convey earlier. You don't hear people raving about how great the ZLE is on the street because it is tuned for the track. The GT500/CFTP? It seems to be very good at everything. Street, track, strip.

It's all relative. I really don't think the ZLE is that bad on the street. But, I've also driven a lot of miles on lowered more track focused BMWs and I even lowered my GT350 on FP springs,changed out bushings/bearings etc to Steeda ones.

But yes, anything with a mag ride that isn't completely hard mounted to the frame is going to ride better. It is part of the reason I love the ZLE though as it is an event to drive around town. Mostly good, sometimes terrible, but never boring.

 

[millhouse]

Another review.

https://www.caranddriver.com/review...ng-shelby-gt500-vs-2019-chevy-camaro-zl1-1le/

So they choose the most track capable vehicles and proceed to do nothing more than drag race them. Brilliant.

And they choose the bone jarring ZLE because it's a better "value".

Some things I found interesting...

They found the camaro's interior plastic-y and cheap compared to the mustangs.

The GT500 out accelerates the ZLE to 150mph by 4 SECONDS! Holy hell!

Also, the GT500 traps 8mph more in the 1/4 mile...124mph vs 132mph. Yikes!

 

[Minn19]

Nobody in their right mind is going to autocross a GT500, so that’s a moot point. There are some who feel that if the GT500 does not significantly outperform the ZL1 1LE on both technical track and those with long straights, it is somehow a failure. Simply not true.

You'd be surprised. Plenty do with a GT350 and the GT500 is obviously a more capable car and easier to drive with the DCT so I could see it happening.

 

[roygriffin2020]

Meaning, they should go for more than 1/4 mile. I would go at least a mile. Some cars run out of gas past 140mph. See who is quickest.

GT500 top speed - 180 mph
ZL1 top speed - 202 mph
Redeye top speed - 203 mph

I guess my point was, it is not who can go the fastest as such, but who would get to their top speed the quickest... like the Texas Mile.

 

[Minn19]

So they choose the most track capable vehicles and proceed to do nothing more than drag race them.

And they choose the bone jarring ZLE because it's a better "value".

Some things I found interesting...

They found the camaro's interior plastic-y and cheap compared to the mustangs.

The GT500 out accelerates the ZLE to 150mph by 5 SECONDS! Holy hell!

Both have there cheapness factor and anybody buying these cars for an excellent interior is shopping the wrong car. But, when approaching six figures and up with ADM, I feel like Ford needed to up its game more in that department.

This just in, the GT500 is really fast, especially when it gets rolling.

If you just care about a track at current prices the ZLE is a much better value proposition than a GT500. ANd obviously the only one that comes with a manual if that is important, which it is to me. Also if you want suspension adjustability the ZLE has it out of the box over the GT500. I don't know the layout of the GT500, but the ZLE is a lot easier to work on than my GT350 was except for transmission fluid changes. Oil changes on the GT350 (which you barely had to do because you just add oil ) were a messy pain in the ass. Also the diff fluid is a lot easier for the DIY mechanic to do on the ZLE IMO.

Edit: And yes magazines are weird in what they decide to do and what they decide to hold back or disclose in their articles. The laziness of the writer/magazine staff is mostly what irks me about there articles no matter what cars are involved.

 

[02gtnh]

So they choose the most track capable vehicles and proceed to do nothing more than drag race them.

And they choose the bone jarring ZLE because it's a better "value".

Some things I found interesting...

They found the camaro's interior plastic-y and cheap compared to the mustangs.

The GT500 out accelerates the ZLE to 150mph by 4 SECONDS! Holy hell!

So they choose the most track capable vehicles and proceed to do nothing more than drag race them. Brilliant.

And they choose the bone jarring ZLE because it's a better "value".

Some things I found interesting...

They found the camaro's interior plastic-y and cheap compared to the mustangs.

The GT500 out accelerates the ZLE to 150mph by 4 SECONDS! Holy hell!

Also, the GT500 traps 8mph more in the 1/4 mile...124mph vs 132mph. Yikes!

I was surprised with no track times with track cars. Odd comparison. Why not do both base cars then?