Right after the release of the 2017 Camaro ZL1, prestigious tuner John Hennessey got his hands on one, releasing a video of him revealing its top speed and then, shortly after, he lined it up against a bone stock Dodge Challenger Hellcat. Stock vs. stock, the Hellcat took a clear victory multiple times, with the help of its automatic transmission, it pulled away from the manual ZL1 with each shift.
John was going to fair it up, promising to bring out a stick shift Hellcat. He did– but there’s a catch. Below the original Hellcat vs. ZL1 video, a YouTube user commented, “The Camaro needs help from Hennessey,” and, as usual with Hennessey, it didn’t stay stock for long. While we don’t necessarily agree that the ZL1 needed help to keep up (other than having an auto instead of a manual), the modifications Hennessey has performed on the ZL1 make this no contest.
A 2017 Camaro ZL1 equipped with the Hennessey HP750 package.
He threw on one of his famous “power packages,” the HPE750, including an upgraded pulley, upgraded air induction system, long-tube headers, mid pipes, high flow cats, and a dyno tune. Now, its pushing 661 horsepower to the wheels and 695 lb-ft torque, making it a much more of a fair competitor for the Hellcat.
Of course, a rematch was inevitable. So once again, the two went head-to-head and this time… the ZL1 definitely took the winning title, with about 2 and a half car lengths to spare.
Next, he plans to do yet another rematch, which will be part 3 of the battle between the two, with a 850 package on the Hellcat against the 750 ZL1.