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Old 04-06-2015, 10:47 AM   #1
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ZL1 to a 1LE?

This may sound strange but, has anyone traded in their ZL1 for a 1LE? I just thought that with the track focused naturally aspirated 1LE, some may prefer this setup over a mag shocks and a supercharger. Just curious!
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Old 04-06-2015, 12:31 PM   #2
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I think you may hear crickets on this one. ZL1 still throws better numbers around the track than a stock 1LE.
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Old 04-06-2015, 12:33 PM   #3
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Mr. Wyndham has.
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Old 04-06-2015, 01:31 PM   #4
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Mr. Wyndham has.
Interesting, I wonder what his thoughts are?
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Old 04-06-2015, 02:03 PM   #5
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Interesting, I wonder what his thoughts are?
Maybe he was upset that he and the other ZL1 owners couldn't keep up with me at Gingerman in my stock at the time 1LE .





Side note: it was his first time there as well as I believe Becky second time on track. I do not know how many times Angelo had been there in his ZL1. Now I have been running Gingerman since the late 90s
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Old 04-06-2015, 02:27 PM   #6
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I just traded my 1LE in on a ZL1. They are way different. I had no idea the switch would be so drastic. Not so much the engine performance; I assumed that would be a big switch. I mean more along the lines of the handling and ride. The 1LE feels like a race car when you drive it. Stiff, light, and precise. The ZL1 rides like a tank compared to the 1LE. Soft, heavy, and takes more effort to corner. All depends on what you are looking for.

GM did a great job with the 1LE. I'm really impressed and couldn't appreciate the 1LE enough before.

Love the ZL1 power though!
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Old 04-06-2015, 02:39 PM   #7
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Originally Posted by Kiteboarder85 View Post
I think you may hear crickets on this one. ZL1 still throws better numbers around the track than a stock 1LE.
That doesn't make it the better track car. It simply makes it the faster car. While I didn't have a ZL1 and then move to a 1LE, I could have gotten either and the 1LE was the right choice for me, specifically because of it's slightly more track-focused nature.
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Old 04-06-2015, 02:49 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Shark72 View Post
This may sound strange but, has anyone traded in their ZL1 for a 1LE? I just thought that with the track focused naturally aspirated 1LE, some may prefer this setup over a mag shocks and a supercharger. Just curious!

Your joking right?

I mean don't get me wrong . I love the 1LE cars. They are the "must have" option for any serious SS V8 owner. It's impressive how fast they are on the track. Most official times only have the 1LE 1 or 2 secs or less behind the ZL1 on most tracks. That's awesome for a 45k Camaro.

The mag-ride and PTM modes in the ZL1 are way underrated IMHO. You don't realize the big difference in handling between the two models until you drive them both. And I would venture to say 95% of most ZL1 owners don't play with PTM # 4 or 5 and that's where the money is on the track for these cars.

The biggest issue I have with the ZL1 is the weight. The car is just a heavy tank. You really have to steer and drive it differently than the V6 or V8 Camaros.

I think the 1LE would have the advantage on a smaller track where the lack of the S/C is nullified. On bigger road/track course the ZL1 can gain some major ground with it's S/C on the straights and the superior 6 piston Brembo brakes up front allow it to brake late into the corners.

But with a simple headers and high flow cats the 1LE can close that HP gap quickly. And put some 6 piston Brembo's up front on the 1LE and you have a very affordable track monster.

But this is just my .02
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Old 04-06-2015, 03:11 PM   #9
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What's a typical max speed on a straight, for a 1LE and ZL1?
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Old 04-06-2015, 05:27 PM   #10
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The weight difference is significant between ZL1 and 1LE, and even if you can ultimately do better times with the ZL1, and I'm sure it depends on track, and you'll be fighting the car a lot more. Is it worth it? I don't think so. After all, if lap time is my only goal, I'd buy a first gen Miata, add a turbo, a little wing (so it doesn't fly!!), and pass anything south of $100K with that $10K junker
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Old 04-06-2015, 05:35 PM   #11
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I recently test drove a ZL1 after DD'ing my 1LE for 2 years and tracking a few times and I could feel the weight difference immediately. The ZL1 would have to be handled, whereas the 1LE you can place in the corner. The 1LE I think is more of a "driver's car" whereas the ZL1 is more of a common person power/muscle car. Not anything against running a ZL1 at a track, but the 1LE is for the purist.

There is also the power difference and how much more effortlessly the ZL1 could get up and go. I like to turn, therefore the 1LE is a better car for me. After my cam goes in, that will be all the power I need to get out of corners and into the straights.
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Old 04-06-2015, 05:59 PM   #12
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I had to ask this question because the 2% who have purchased the 1LE seem to be more track focused as a group in general. Keep the comments coming....interesting to read the responses!
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Old 04-07-2015, 09:15 AM   #13
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I'm starting to see my 1LE for what it is. A SS with a nice performance package that just happens to be a killer track "day" weapon. It's as good or better than cars costing thousands and even 10s of thousands more. The 1LE has ZL1 parts on it for a reason though. Because they are excellent! I'm not saying the 1LE is a better car than a ZL1, it's just a different animal. Having just watched furious 7, I know they would go with a ZL1. It's the flashier, sexier, street brawler. :-)
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Old 04-07-2015, 09:58 AM   #14
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I dont see many people going from a ZL1 to a 1LE specifically due to the purpose and niche the ZL1 is in. The ZL1 is a much more refined machine. I think of it more for the slightly older person who can afford it, and wants a more comfortable forgiving ride. If it were 5 years from now, I think the ZL1 would have been my choice. I see most ZL1 owners as people who want and amazing car as a DD or weekend toy, and not having to give up too much comfort to get it. I also feel like most ZL1 owners opt for automatics for that same reason.

The 1LE is GM showing off, and proving how easy it is to make a few changes(made cheaper by ZL1 development and sales) to the SS and make is a complete track monster. It easily outperforms cars much more expensive that it is, and you can drive it to work the next day. Add a cam and supporting mods, and I dont see a ZL1 keeping up on the track anymore(removing driver mod).
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