05-02-2013, 11:08 PM | #15 | ||
Drives: '69 SS Convertible Join Date: May 2009
Location: DFW, TX
Posts: 7,111
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If you couple the difference between the gears and trans compared to a stock SS....yes, the 1LE is definitely going to feel much more torque. However, add the 3.91 gears to an SS like I did and that gap is greatly reduced. Quote:
I go back to my statement that unless you plan to really track your car and you already own an SS Camaro then it's probably not going to be worth the loss in trade plus increase cost of the 1LE vs just upgrading to gears, wheels, and some suspension. If you're buying new, the 1LE is without a doubt worth the extra cash. Wheels are the biggest thing holding me back (well, the driver needs more experience as well) but I would put my Camaro up against a 1LE at the drag strip, Auto-X, or track. I'm not saying I'll blow one away but I'll bet a 1LE won't walk on me either. Just my take though....
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-2010 Camaro 2SS | M6 | VR w/White Stripes | 1 3/4" KOOKS - 3" Magnaflow | LPE 3.91 gears | ADM tuned | Halltech w/ADM Scoop | Spohn/BMR Trailing Arm/Toe Rod | BC Coilovers| Pedders FE4 ZL1 swaybars | Cradle/Diff/Radius Rod bushings | VMax TB | Morimoto Projectors | MGW shifter | Red Calipers
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05-02-2013, 11:34 PM | #16 |
Drives: 2012 Camaro 2SS/RS Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: Cleveland, OH
Posts: 3,267
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The transmission on the SS is fine. Put some new gears in, and you're golden. Going up to 3.70s in my L99 made a world of difference.
If you want a manual, and are starting from scratch, sure, a 1LE might make sense. If someone's going to trade their SS in for something else, it should at least be a ZL1.
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05-03-2013, 12:41 AM | #17 | |
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Drives: 2013 camaro 2SS/RS 1LE 1 of 221 Join Date: Jan 2011
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05-03-2013, 12:46 AM | #18 | |
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Drives: 2013 camaro 2SS/RS 1LE 1 of 221 Join Date: Jan 2011
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05-03-2013, 12:52 AM | #19 |
Drives: 2014 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Vancouver, WA
Posts: 562
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If you don't go to the track then it is probably a waste of money. Most will say it's not a waste of money even if you don't go to the track, but it is...
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05-03-2013, 12:54 AM | #20 |
Drives: 2015 c7 Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: MI
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IDK why people think the 1LE is a track monster or something. In fact i think the 1lE handles the way a stock SS should handle.
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05-03-2013, 01:32 AM | #21 | |
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Vararam Tune CAI, Vararam Power Wedge, 160 degree stat, VMax ported throttle body, Ceramic coated ARH 1 7/8" LTs with X-pipe, Borla S-Type Axle back, MGW short throw, 3.91s, Ported stock IM, BTR Stage IV cam, Heritage Grille, Backup camera, UMI Performance trailing arms and toe rods, dyno tune
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05-03-2013, 02:05 AM | #22 |
It was ninety nine cents!
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Rather than link to the thread, I actually got to drive a 1LE owned by a good friend of mine recently. He and essentially have the same mods.
Here's a comparison between a 2011 1SS and a 2013 1LE both with bolt ons/tune, the 1SS has aftermarket springs and wheels/tires. Somewhat relevant wall of text incoming!!! I was in the fortunate position tonight to drive a 1LE for the first time This is basically a comparison of two similarly modded camaros, one is a 1SS/RS, the other is a 1LE. Keep in mind here, I'm not a test driver for a fancy auto magazine. I'm just a middle aged guy, who gets his jollies off having a spirited drive every now and then in a badass car. This 1LE belongs to my good friend SSRS55. This was a perfect situation because He and I essentially have the same engine mods. Both of us have a JRE 415 tune mated up to Long tube headers, he has a CAI intake, I have a new era. He has TSP headers with HFC's I have Pacesetters with HFC's (Yeah welfare I know. But they work LOL) He has a solo mach xl catback, I have a muffler delete (where were my food stamps again ) He has the 1LE wheels, with stock rubber, I have Forgestar F14's with 275 front 315 rears on nitto invo's. He has the FE4 suspension with the 1LE upgrades, I have a 2011 SS with the FE3 suspension, and PFADT 1.25" drop springs. All that being said, let's get to the good part, the driving impression! While we couldn't get too crazy because it was a pretty short drive on a back road with some nice curves, this is what I got out of the experience. Compared to my car, with my mods, his felt a good bit more responsive. The weight of the steering was much lighter, it felt as though moving the wheel itself took considerably less effort. In fact, his clutch felt a good bit lighter as well. As for steering input, the 1LE was noticeably more responsive. It wasn't a night and day difference, but it was CERTAINLY noticeable. The 1LE felt a bit more planted in corners, I didn't push the car as hard as I would my own but it was very confidence inspiring. Body roll was similar to my SS with the drop springs, very flat. Cornering, like my SS was very predictable. As for power delivery, it felt very similar. The 1LE that I drove has a much smoother exhaust than my muffler delete, and it certainly attributed to how "smooth" the power delivery felt. The differences in the transmission were subtle, and in the conditions that I drove in I really couldn't discern much of a difference between his car and mine. I think to truly appreciate the difference in gearing, one would need to be on a race track, or perhaps a drag strip. Aesthetics: oddly enough, and I did NOT expect this at all, but I LOVED the new steering wheel, and shifter in the 1LE! The materials on his steering wheel were much more pleasing to the touch, and the smaller shifter knob on the 1LE was a very welcome change in contrast to the bulky hurst shifter knob on my car. Since I had a 1SS, I am also not used to the HUD. What a cool feature. I would love to add this to my car someday. I also liked how his door locks were on his doors! Not the center stack like in my car. Overall, I like the newer interior, as well as the 1LE steering wheel/shifter knob much more than the older style controls in the 10-11 SS. In summary, the best way I can compare these two cars is as follows: After driving the 1LE, my 1SS feels like a "prototype" car... while the 1LE felt like the "finished" product. Don't get me wrong, there's nothing wrong with my SS, I don't like it any less, it's just that the 1LE felt more crisp, more refined. Had the 1LE package been available when I ordered my car I would not have hesitated to check that box in the options window. Would I trade my SS in for a 1LE? Personally, *I* wouldn't. I don't autocross or race. I daily drive mine to and from work in the fair weather months. I drive it for pleasure in my off time. For me to de-mod my car, take a several thousand dollar hit on the trade in wouldn't make sense, but that's my situation! I could definitely understand why others would "trade up" and if doing so wouldn't be a financial disaster for me my answer to the question would likely be different. What I CAN say is that driving this 1LE made my future performance goals for my SS a lot more clear. The first thing I need to do is order an exhaust from solo. Man, I tell you SSRS55's car sounds beast... and inside it is much smoother sounding than the muffler delete/long tube combo that I'm sporting. I'm sure the wife will be happy that I'm spending another grand on my car again soon I think that I would also do well to do an FE4 conversion with ZL1 spec sways from PFADT. I think this would tighten up my steering a bit and make the car feel responsive enough. Perhaps throw in some solid subframe bushings as well. Thanks to Eric (SSRS55) for letting me drive his VR 1LE. It's a beautiful car man. Well done. (start a freaking build thread btw.) One more thing I'd like to add. About a week after I drove the 1LE, I had the opportunity to track my 1SS at watkins glen international. (paced laps, but we got moving) I could see where the 1LE's transmission would shine (in theory) on that course. I likely would have had to do less shifting. I also think that a set of sways would have helped me a bit as well. Again, I'm just an average joe who likes to drive fast once in a while. This is all antecdotal experience.
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05-03-2013, 02:31 AM | #23 |
NEC5 C-HOLE CHAMP
Drives: 2013 camaro 2SS/RS 1LE 1 of 221 Join Date: Jan 2011
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also if you read up on some of the buzz in the camaro commuinity there is talk that the 1les ls3's were hand selected
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05-03-2013, 02:35 AM | #24 | |
NEC5 C-HOLE CHAMP
Drives: 2013 camaro 2SS/RS 1LE 1 of 221 Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: MYSTIC CT
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05-03-2013, 08:51 AM | #25 |
Drives: 2013 Camaro 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Pittsburgh
Posts: 74
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Here's the official parts list. A good chunk of gear for $3500. It was an easy choice when choosing from new. I test drove a regular SS and 1LE back to back before choosing, and the difference was very noticeable.
Whether it's worth trading an SS you already own would come down to the specifics of the car, budget, and goals.
Last edited by SSRS1LE; 05-03-2013 at 09:18 AM. |
05-03-2013, 09:37 AM | #26 |
Drives: 2013 1SS 1LE Black - Std Exhaust Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: Brunswick, GA
Posts: 3,622
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The 1LE is 8 seconds faster around VIR than the SS, and only 3 seconds slower than the ZL1. For $3500 more than a stock SS, I am going to give it monster status! You are correct in the statement that the SSM should have handled this way out of the box!
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05-03-2013, 10:12 AM | #27 |
Drives: ? Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Virginia
Posts: 137
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I test drove a 2SS and a 1LE. There is a difference in handling and shifting. Didn't think the suspension difference caused a harsher ride. If you can afford the 3500 I think it would be worth it....even if you never put it on the track.
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05-03-2013, 11:09 AM | #28 |
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I'm giving it monster status since it was only a few ticks behing the GT500 with over 200 more HP!
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