Camaro 1LE Laps Virginia International Raceway in 2:58.34 [with Video]

[Angrybird 12]

Originally Posted by 2cnd chance

Wasn't the Mach 1 more of a cosmetic package? I know the Boss was the track car.

Only if you think the 428 Cobra Jet engine was cosmetic.
In 69 you could get a Mach1 with a 351 or a 428.

[2xSSRS]

Now that was nice!!!! Love It!

[Jim968]

Originally Posted by Mikamaro

Second, IF you change your shock setup you are required to use the Koni or AST...and off course every body does it with the SS shocks, I would too.
IF...I had an 1LE in Grand-am GS I would not replace the shocks. Have you look at the Video of the 1LE lapping Virginia, This thing is glued to the ground.

I'm not sure what you're missing about this sentence in the rule book "KONI 2800 series shocks or AST (model AST-5220) are mandatory on all GS and ST cars." Seems pretty clear to me.

However even if you were able to retain the stock shocks all it would do is guarantee you would lose. The GS cars are running spring rates that are completely unstreetable. We're talking anywhere from 800 to 1,200 lbs, and perhaps more. The stock LE1 shocks wouldn't be able to handle that without modification. Why not just buy a set of fully adjustable race shocks?

Trust me on this. I own a race car that is built to a "stock" class rules set that is similar to the Grand Am Continental rules.

And yes, I have seen the VIR video. The LE1 looks fantastic for a street car. Put a Grand Am GS spec suspension on it and it will lap the Grand Course at least 5 seconds faster.

[racerx8]

Originally Posted by b4z

There is only 1 reason the 1LE is not better known by the public. Air onditioning, or lack thereof. If 1le had been on dealers lots with air conditioning they would have sold more.

I think a lot of dealers weren't really concerned about the 1LE so only the hardcore racers or Camaro fans really wanted the 1LE package. Also most dealers tend to load up their lot cars so a decontented 1LE Camaro was a less desirable car.
In 1996 Camaro A/C became standard and there was no A/C delete (1LE) as in previous years. So the '96 1LE had A/C but in a base Z28 there were manual windows etc.
Having had three 1LE's previously (racing one in SCCA T-2) I just like them and have a new 1LE ordered; ARH headers, CAI and a tune will help with some more HP. Sometimes it all comes down to personal desires, I like the 1LE for all it is and all it is not.

[PistonsFan]

Originally Posted by Jim968

I'm not sure what you're missing about this sentence in the rule book "KONI 2800 series shocks or AST (model AST-5220) are mandatory on all GS and ST cars." Seems pretty clear to me.

However even if you were able to retain the stock shocks all it would do is guarantee you would lose. The GS cars are running spring rates that are completely unstreetable. We're talking anywhere from 800 to 1,200 lbs, and perhaps more. The stock LE1 shocks wouldn't be able to handle that without modification. Why not just buy a set of fully adjustable race shocks?

Trust me on this. I own a race car that is built to a "stock" class rules set that is similar to the Grand Am Continental rules.

And yes, I have seen the VIR video. The LE1 looks fantastic for a street car. Put a Grand Am GS spec suspension on it and it will lap the Grand Course at least 5 seconds faster.

All true.

Those Camaros also run solid metal bushings - very stiff suspension.

[Fenderaddict2]

Originally Posted by Comrando

Now that is awesome, one of the engineers actually driving the car. Like most buyers will.

I wonder if a pro driver could squeeze out a few more 10ths.

Thanks for the video slick rick

He races. He is a pro. Great time regardless.

[Fenderaddict2]

Originally Posted by davidcroft

Correct. And then to top it off the Mustangs weigh less. The Camaro is defying physics laws....which is why Ford Fans are crying

Not really. I fully expect a well sorted IRS to out perform a SRA car on the track. Looks like GM has finally fixed the cars achilles heel. Glad to see it as the first gen 5 Camaros like the first of the '05 Mustangs severely disappointed me during test drives. If I was looking at a Camaro for me, this would be the one.

[Whorable MPG1975]

The 1LE is a great package overall, I am really thinking of buying one of these now. I couldn't give a crap about the Z/28. The only real ones were the 67'-69' anyway! If you can't find what you want in this line up now, your looking at the wrong car.


...and BTW, the rear of the Mustangs are still ugly as sin, brrraaarr!

[Mikamaro]

Originally Posted by Jim968

I'm not sure what you're missing about this sentence in the rule book "KONI 2800 series shocks or AST (model AST-5220) are mandatory on all GS and ST cars." Seems pretty clear to me.

However even if you were able to retain the stock shocks all it would do is guarantee you would lose. The GS cars are running spring rates that are completely unstreetable. We're talking anywhere from 800 to 1,200 lbs, and perhaps more. The stock LE1 shocks wouldn't be able to handle that without modification. Why not just buy a set of fully adjustable race shocks?

Trust me on this. I own a race car that is built to a "stock" class rules set that is similar to the Grand Am Continental rules.

And yes, I have seen the VIR video. The LE1 looks fantastic for a street car. Put a Grand Am GS spec suspension on it and it will lap the Grand Course at least 5 seconds faster.

We moving away from the original point Jim.
Yes, it's all true the GS is a race car, mandatory optional shocks, stiffer this, better that, whatever the rules allows, teams will take advantage.

But my point was the 1LE option was made for the track right of GM assembly plant.
In the past most teams ordered it with the 1LE because of the all the extra racing components.
Yes the Series rules will allows upgrades but the 1LE is a better base car to work with then just the SS when you're building a Spec race car for any series and since the GS car has to be an OEM car of the dealers lot, they will order the 1LE option.

Okay maybe I got a little carried by saying it will be a Carnage on every track, but I'm a dedicated Camaro race fan and driver...what do you expect!

Me too, I would love a see a time on VIR with a GS and a GT car!
Cheers

P.S. Last year the GS car ran a best lap of 1:36.-- at Laguna Seca which is on par with the Corvette ZR1' s time there. The ZL1 and the Boss 302LS did 1:39.-- so yes 5 seconds more at VIR seems about right.

[Mikamaro]

Originally Posted by PQ

True. But give it a catchy name and they can say they have a 'Stinger' or whatever. People like the parking lot chest pump stuff. After all, that's what 80% of people buy these cars for. How many on here have spent an extra 15k for performance add ons that they don't need. Hell I might be one of them. I do drive the hell out of my car. Break stuff all the time as a result. But I go to the track like once a year. I aim to go more but it never seems to happen.

Yes absolutely, that catchy name was once: Z/28

[ParisTNDude]

Originally Posted by Mikamaro

No, I wasn't there.(lucky you)
But I will be going to the next race!
It's like 8 minutes from home on Circuit Gilles Villeneuve,Montreal.
The #57 Stevenson Camaro GT won last year!
Let's hope they can repeat.
http://www.motorsport.com/grandam/ne...ntreal-gt-win/

This was the Land of the racing GEN3 1LE back in the days... Players Series/GM Motorsport.
http://www.playerschallengeseries.ca/Production_nos.htm

The Stevenson Camaro #57 was leading the race by 15 seconds or more until the rain came. During a caution, he was caught in the pits changing to rain tires and could never really recover. You're lucky to be that close to Mosport. I LOVE this series of road races!!!

[Mikamaro]

Originally Posted by ParisTNDude

The Stevenson Camaro #57 was leading the race by 15 seconds or more until the rain came. During a caution, he was caught in the pits changing to rain tires and could never really recover. You're lucky to be that close to Mosport. I LOVE this series of road races!!!

He clip the wall coming in the pit lane for rain tires and damage his rear left wheel.
I made a mistake the next race they are going back at the Glen in N.Y. for the short race and I'm next to Gilles Villeneuve Circuit in Montreal, Mosport in close to Toronto.

[b4z]

Maybe some of the guys who actually ran/run IMSA and SCcA events can back me up on something I read about the third gens many years ago. The article said that the showroom stock race teams were putting ever stiffer springs on the cars trying to decrease roll and improve lap times. They realized that they had reached the point of no return because the body structure was not stiff enough and all the stiffer springs did was bend the chassis even more.

[PYROLYSIS]

Originally Posted by b4z

Maybe some of the guys who actually ran/run IMSA and SCcA events can back me up on something I read about the third gens many years ago. The article said that the showroom stock race teams were putting ever stiffer springs on the cars trying to decrease roll and improve lap times. They realized that they had reached the point of no return because the body structure was not stiff enough and all the stiffer springs did was bend the chassis even more.

Sounds about right. Something we definitely wouldn't have to worry about with the 5th gen.