6g Camaro Exhaust Comparison: LT1 SS vs LT4 ZL1

The 6th generation Chevrolet Camaro SS can be ordered with an optional performance exhaust system that adds sound and power to the naturally aspirated LT1 V8, making for one sweet sounding muscle car. The 6th generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 comes with a similar exhaust system as standard equipment, but as you likely know, the ZL1 is powered by the supercharged LT4 V8, so how does the performance exhaust system sound on the two different engines?

Well, we are in luck, as a YouTuber made a short video of a new Camaro SS with the performance exhaust system taking turns revving the engine with a new Camaro ZL1, and while the ZL1 has about 200 more horsepower and 200 more lb/ft of torque – the difference in exhaust tone and volume isn’t all that different.

LT1 SS –vs- LT4 ZL1
This rev off video between a 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS and a 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 starts as you might expect – with each car roaring to life. The SS starts first, and the LT1 has a nice crack to it as it fires up while having the grumbly idle that you would expect from a muscle car. The new ZL1 fires up next, and while it has a bit more energetic rev to it on start-up, it really isn’t a whole lot louder on start or when idling afterwards.

After both cars idle for a few seconds, the Camaro SS gives it a good, stiff rev that sounds like it doesn’t get any higher than 3000rpm or so. The ZL1 follows with a similar rev, and in this case, the LT4 sounds a bit tougher than the LT1. The supercharged ZL1 sounds a bit raspier and a bit louder on a quick rev compared to the SS, while seemingly revving a little easier – but that could be due to the fact that the ZL1 has a manual transmission where the SS has the automatic. Each car gives one more quick rev to lower RPM and on that shot, the SS sounds a bit healthier, leading me to believe that when pushed a bit harder…the ZL1 will have a more distinct advantage in sound levels.

Finally, each new Camaro rolls up into the higher RPM range, but they do so gently; similarly to how a car might sound under normal acceleration. Once again, the two sound pretty similar at lower RPM, but as the revs climb, the ZL1 is raspier and more aggressive.

This might have been the outcome that you would have expected, with the supercharged Camaro ZL1 sounding a little healthier at higher RPMs, but this video is proof that with the performance exhaust system – the new Camaro SS has almost as much roar as the 650hp ZL1.