modded SS or lightly modded 1LE or ZL1 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

WHAMMO · 04-25-2012, 12:46 AM

What should be the best choice of those 3?? The ZL1 might be too expensive, but given the fact that I would not do any mod, except maybe CAI, it can be cheaper than modding the 2 other choice. But I like the N/A cars; cheap to mod and good power from a big ass cam.

I'm leaning a bit towards the 1LE for beeing modded already from factory(gear/beefier drivetrain/exhaust).

Or going cheaper with the SS and have more money on hand for everything else..mods and ..girls

SSGUNNER · 04-25-2012, 01:13 AM

Hmm, tuff choice. Why not all three. Lol.

WHAMMO · 04-25-2012, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SSGUNNER

Hmm, tuff choice. Why not all three. Lol.

You got me!! hahaha...I was waiting for somebody to say: ZL1/THREAD

SSGUNNER · 04-25-2012, 01:45 AM

JOHNSONROD · 04-25-2012, 06:02 AM

if you going to track the car, start with the 1LE.if your just going to street the car, get the ss.

1954 Belair-man · 04-25-2012, 06:22 AM

Depends on how deep your pockets are, i would lean towards the 1LE it sounds like its going to be a nice package

IROCanSS · 04-25-2012, 06:30 AM

First of all, how modded are you talking on the SS?

Second, you realize a 1LE is only going to be a tad quicker than an SS and no faster. Its the same engine as the SS (LS3). The gears help.

Depending on the cost of the 1LE, it could be a good look as long as GM doesnt cut their own throat by making it too expensive. The only thing the 1LE has that you cant easily upgrade on the SS is the transmission.

Now talking ZL1.... you have to want a ZL1 to buy one. You can make an SS WAY faster for WAY less money. Look at it this way, you can throw $20,000 at an SS and still be under the cost of a ZL1. With 20K in mods, the SS would run circles around the ZL1. Don't buy the MRS smoke and mirrors arguement. Its just more crap to make people think they can drive. With a seasoned, experienced driver, you dont need any of that computer aided crap.

If 580hp is what you want and you want to LEAVE IT STOCK and let someone else pay to fix it if you break it, get the Z. Other wise SS (or 1LE depending on cost) is the best option.

ZL1 = $55,000 plus taxes and crap so you're $58,000 NO OPTIONS
LS3 $35,000 +/- depending on options

plus:

Full bolt on and tune (intake, ported TB, headers, cats, exhaust) + $2000
Cam package + $2000
Gears (3.91 or 4.11) +$2500
Axels and driveshaft +$2000
Full suspension set up (bushings, springs, sways, trailing arms...etc.) +$1500 or so

That brings us to about $10,000 in mods....

With those mods the car will be nearly the same RWHP ~480 as the STOCK ZL1 and you're at least $13,000 ahead. Add heads for another $3000 and you are there ~500rwhp.

You are still at minimum $10,000 under a STOCK ZL1... I guess that gets you the other ginger bread and bigger wheels/tires. Doesnt seem worth it to me.

From there, its a crap shoot... you can mod the ZL1 or supercharge the SS for insane power and insane money invested!

Apex Motorsports · 04-25-2012, 06:46 AM

Like IROCanSS demonstrated, you can build a faster car out of an SS for the money. The flip side of the coin is that the ZL1 is fully warrantied.

Protomanx8 · 04-25-2012, 07:11 AM

what Irocanss said is great. also the numbers are pretty spot on! i love the Zl1 it is a great car but in by no means is it the end all be all of the camaro world.

MR 45TH · 04-25-2012, 07:32 AM

I to was dead set on a Z, but since my dealer decided someone else needed the allocation more than me, the 1LE (slightly modded

) is looking like a good option.

GoldCartridgeGamer · 04-25-2012, 07:46 AM

I too am facing this dilemma, but I realized I wanted more than power and performance. I also want a car that is unique and MINE so I went from wanting a ZL1 to wanting either a 1SS/RS or 1SS/1LE/RS. I also realized I like modding and working on cars as my hobby so a ZL1 could not meet any of those demands. I am going to wait on others to see what they say about the 1LE package once it gets into people's hands. If most say it's nothing to write home about and better just getting a SS then I'll be looking for a used 2011 1SS/RS because I don't like the new interior introduced in 2012. The only thing from the 2012's I'd want is the newer suspension and the touchscreen/mylink stuff. The rest of the stuff on the cars I don't care for or won't notice.

need4spd · 04-25-2012, 07:56 AM

I would go for the ZL1.. supercharged with a warranty.. plus it will retain more value.. a SS will always be a SS even with a thousand horses

SS 376 · 04-25-2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Remys ZL1

I to was dead set on a Z, but since my dealer decided someone else needed the allocation more than me, the 1LE (slightly modded

) is looking like a good option.

I like the 1LE if only because it comes with a 3.91 gear stock. If I swapped out the diff in an SS, I'd be terrified to actually get on the throttle since so many SS guys have broken aftermarket gears.

One broken gear and you've wiped out a lot of cost savings.

soldier9129 · 04-25-2012, 12:23 PM

depending on what you want. The Zl1 is going to cost you about double when said and done. How much do you drive it, what are your financed and whats your goals.

Take this into account 60 grand at 5 years at 2.5% is 1000 bucks a month, half down and borrowing 30k is still 532 bucks a month for five years.

04-25-2012, 12:46 AM	#1
WHAMMO Drives: 13' 1LE Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: Canada Posts: 2,640	modded SS or lightly modded 1LE or ZL1 What should be the best choice of those 3?? The ZL1 might be too expensive, but given the fact that I would not do any mod, except maybe CAI, it can be cheaper than modding the 2 other choice. But I like the N/A cars; cheap to mod and good power from a big ass cam. I'm leaning a bit towards the 1LE for beeing modded already from factory(gear/beefier drivetrain/exhaust). Or going cheaper with the SS and have more money on hand for everything else..mods and ..girls

04-25-2012, 01:13 AM	#2
SSGUNNER Chu no guat a hasa is? Drives: 14 Jeep G Cherokee Overland HEMI Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Some where in So Cal Posts: 4,273	Hmm, tuff choice. Why not all three. Lol. __________________ 11 2SS/RSL99No Longer Stock (Sold) 6/19/14:AAC Plasma DRL's \| Plug n play harness \| Elite CC \| Tint: 35% & 5% \| LED Dome light \| Show-N-Go Plate Holder \| Flowmaster AT \| C.A.I. Intake \| VMAX CNC Spiral Ported TB \| Husky Splash Guards

04-25-2012, 01:45 AM	#4
SSGUNNER Chu no guat a hasa is? Drives: 14 Jeep G Cherokee Overland HEMI Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Some where in So Cal Posts: 4,273	__________________ 11 2SS/RSL99No Longer Stock (Sold) 6/19/14:AAC Plasma DRL's \| Plug n play harness \| Elite CC \| Tint: 35% & 5% \| LED Dome light \| Show-N-Go Plate Holder \| Flowmaster AT \| C.A.I. Intake \| VMAX CNC Spiral Ported TB \| Husky Splash Guards

04-25-2012, 07:46 AM	#11
GoldCartridgeGamer Drives: 2014 Ford SVT Raptor SuperCrew Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Memphis, TN Posts: 7,527	I too am facing this dilemma, but I realized I wanted more than power and performance. I also want a car that is unique and MINE so I went from wanting a ZL1 to wanting either a 1SS/RS or 1SS/1LE/RS. I also realized I like modding and working on cars as my hobby so a ZL1 could not meet any of those demands. I am going to wait on others to see what they say about the 1LE package once it gets into people's hands. If most say it's nothing to write home about and better just getting a SS then I'll be looking for a used 2011 1SS/RS because I don't like the new interior introduced in 2012. The only thing from the 2012's I'd want is the newer suspension and the touchscreen/mylink stuff. The rest of the stuff on the cars I don't care for or won't notice. __________________ Phoenix (sold) 2014 Ford SVT Raptor SuperCrew How to hug your camaro Buy the car that you would most like to get beat in. The other guy will always be faster.

04-25-2012, 07:56 AM	#12
need4spd Drives: 2012 2SS Black on Black Join Date: May 2010 Location: New York Posts: 280	I would go for the ZL1.. supercharged with a warranty.. plus it will retain more value.. a SS will always be a SS even with a thousand horses __________________ previous ride - 2010 CGM 2LT RS auto w/roof, eibach lowering springs, volante cai, mrt v2 axle back current ride - 2012 Black on Black 2SS RS w/ sunroof, muffler delete with SLP exhaust tips, rotofab cai, gm strut brace, BMR 1.4 drop springs all four corners, Stainless Power 1 7/8 long tubes, Hex Vents, Jannetty Racing Tune, Helmholtz J pipe, MMR 228 Z28 replica wheels.

04-25-2012, 06:02 AM	#5
JOHNSONROD Drives: 62 Chevy & 2021 1SS/1LE manual Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Kentucky Posts: 893	if you going to track the car, start with the 1LE.if your just going to street the car, get the ss.

04-25-2012, 06:22 AM	#6
1954 Belair-man Drives: 2010 Camaro IOM 1SS M6 Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 889	Depends on how deep your pockets are, i would lean towards the 1LE it sounds like its going to be a nice package

04-25-2012, 06:30 AM	#7
IROCanSS Account Suspended Drives: 89 IROC 350 Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Back roads, southern Ohio Posts: 12,504 View My Garage	First of all, how modded are you talking on the SS? Second, you realize a 1LE is only going to be a tad quicker than an SS and no faster. Its the same engine as the SS (LS3). The gears help. Depending on the cost of the 1LE, it could be a good look as long as GM doesnt cut their own throat by making it too expensive. The only thing the 1LE has that you cant easily upgrade on the SS is the transmission. Now talking ZL1.... you have to want a ZL1 to buy one. You can make an SS WAY faster for WAY less money. Look at it this way, you can throw $20,000 at an SS and still be under the cost of a ZL1. With 20K in mods, the SS would run circles around the ZL1. Don't buy the MRS smoke and mirrors arguement. Its just more crap to make people think they can drive. With a seasoned, experienced driver, you dont need any of that computer aided crap. If 580hp is what you want and you want to LEAVE IT STOCK and let someone else pay to fix it if you break it, get the Z. Other wise SS (or 1LE depending on cost) is the best option. ZL1 = $55,000 plus taxes and crap so you're $58,000 NO OPTIONS LS3 $35,000 +/- depending on options plus: Full bolt on and tune (intake, ported TB, headers, cats, exhaust) + $2000 Cam package + $2000 Gears (3.91 or 4.11) +$2500 Axels and driveshaft +$2000 Full suspension set up (bushings, springs, sways, trailing arms...etc.) +$1500 or so That brings us to about $10,000 in mods.... With those mods the car will be nearly the same RWHP ~480 as the STOCK ZL1 and you're at least $13,000 ahead. Add heads for another $3000 and you are there ~500rwhp. You are still at minimum $10,000 under a STOCK ZL1... I guess that gets you the other ginger bread and bigger wheels/tires. Doesnt seem worth it to me. From there, its a crap shoot... you can mod the ZL1 or supercharge the SS for insane power and insane money invested!

04-25-2012, 06:46 AM	#8
Apex Motorsports Drives: 2000 Camaro SS Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Louisville, Ky. Posts: 25,179	Like IROCanSS demonstrated, you can build a faster car out of an SS for the money. The flip side of the coin is that the ZL1 is fully warrantied.

04-25-2012, 07:11 AM	#9
Protomanx8 Drives: 2010 Camaro SS A6 ABM Join Date: May 2011 Location: NOVA Posts: 200	what Irocanss said is great. also the numbers are pretty spot on! i love the Zl1 it is a great car but in by no means is it the end all be all of the camaro world.

04-25-2012, 07:32 AM	#10
MR 45TH Drives: 2018 ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Huntingtown, MD Posts: 1,138	I to was dead set on a Z, but since my dealer decided someone else needed the allocation more than me, the 1LE (slightly modded ) is looking like a good option.

04-25-2012, 12:23 PM	#14
soldier9129 Drives: 2010 SS Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NY Posts: 31	depending on what you want. The Zl1 is going to cost you about double when said and done. How much do you drive it, what are your financed and whats your goals. Take this into account 60 grand at 5 years at 2.5% is 1000 bucks a month, half down and borrowing 30k is still 532 bucks a month for five years.