2014 SIM 1SS/1LE Search & Build Thread

[cdb95z28]

Flush out the factory brake fluid yesterday and installed Motul RBF600. Also redid my clutch hydraulics as my clutch reservoir diaphram from page one aquired a small slit at the middle. I had noticed fluid on the cap side of the diaphram, between the diaphram and the cap. There should not be any fluid here. Upon further examination, I found a small cut for which when I used the clutch (and the fluid rapidly flows back to the reservoir) the fluid would escape through the cut. This also means air (with moisture) was infiltrating the reservoir. So I thought another flush was neccessary. I replaced the diaphram with another HELP! one from Advance Auto. This time I did not trim the OD of it as described in an earlier post, but I worked it into the threads of the cap and it seals just fine.

UPDATE 6/17/15: It is quite possible the slit is supposed to be there. I checked other brand new Dorman diaphragms and the ones on my '12 Traverse, '10 Sierra, and the '14 Sierra 1500 at work. The slit was present on all. There was even a slit on the brake reservoir of the Kubota mules at work.

With boththe clutch and brake hydraulics I used my Motive Powerbleeder model # 0108 and this makes both a one man operation and it could not be any easier to do


I also took out some front rebound on the struts and it helped turn in. That was one thing I seemed to lose with all the changes.

The RideTechs HQs are rebound adjustable which from my limited shock knowledge should not be a primary factor in helping turn in like compression tuning can be. So it might be a placebo

Also I mentioned the Vitasse Throttle Controller. I went to setting #7 and again the clutch application seems to be easier. On my '95 Z28 I was used to a more rapid clutch engagement and I have had to learn this Camaro wants a slower engagement, but I have that nagging feeling I am possible hurting it.

[cdb95z28]

So my buddy has an 02 WS6 Trans Am and we swapped a T56 Magnum 6 speed in it a few years ago. He has been having a unusual sound from the clutch/trans and the reservoir we installed was the same exact Wilwood that I installed on mine. I had completely forgot this!! Tonight I checked out his car and popped the hood and was surprised to see the Wilwood.

He has NOT changed out the fluid we installed when we did the swap. So I pulled the cap and it is just like as I found my Wilwood cap, vented but not isolated from atmosphere. So this means his fluid has been exposed to atmosphere for a couple of years now. He is going to mod his cap like I did on post #29.

As I mentioned in the above previous post, I had found a small slit on the cap diaphragm. Well when I checked it again today, my brake master cylinder cap diaphragm also had a slit as did my friend's 02 Trans Am brake master (the came cap diaphragm).

So maybe that slit is supposed to be there??????

[cdb95z28]

The sixth picture on the #29 post on page one, I can see the slit on the Dorman diaphragm! I sent an email to Dorman about this.

[cdb95z28]

No response from Dorman

[cdb95z28]

It is quite possible the slit is supposed to be there. I checked other brand new Dorman diaphragms and the ones on my '12 Traverse, '10 Sierra, and the '14 Sierra 1500 at work. The slit was present on all. There was even a slit on the brake reservoir of the Kubota mules at work.
Picture of the slit in the Dorman brake fluid/clutch reservoir:



The only reason I can rationalize this diaphragm having this as designed is it may relieve pressure from heat. I have mentioned on my build post that back in May I noticed fluid on the atmosphere side of the diaphragm. You would think that brake fluid cannot find its way here if the diaphragm is sealing correctly, but I believe it is coming thru the slit, and finding its way onto either the brake reservoir and or the clutch reservoirs like the GTO reservoir or my adaptation of a the GM diaphragm to the Wilwood cap.

If many remember there have been posts concerning the possibility of:
-the GM brake reservoirs leaking at the seams
-the cap diaphragm not sealing do to some thinking the cap does create enough force to seal the diaphragm. Some have added a thin spacer at the cap to squeeze the diaphragm tighter.

[Bad@ssCamaro]

Great build thread I'm posting because you have done quite a few of the mods that I have and plan on doing for my 1LE and it's going to be a good reference for when I get to those that I haven't done yet. I have the Wilwood 7 oz. kit on order and waiting for delivery and I need to pick up the Dorman diaphragm at the local Autozone still.

I have a bracket that I made up for the GTO reservoir and I'm thinking I will need to invert it to have the holes sit higher, but I'm going to have to wait for the kit to come in to see if it will work. If not, I'll work on making another one, I have a waterjet at my disposal

I also have the Goodridge Phantom brake lines that I will install after I get the Wilwood kit and a replacement GM master cylinder reservoir (already purchased) installed. I've got the Motive power bleeder and just itching to use that sucker Suspension stuff probably will have to wait for next springs tax return

I also need to pick up the Gold Plugs Thanks for posting your mods, they certainly help in checking off the wish list (and adding to it )

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by Bad@ssCamaro

Great build thread I'm posting because you have done quite a few of the mods that I have and plan on doing for my 1LE and it's going to be a good reference for when I get to those that I haven't done yet. I have the Wilwood 7 oz. kit on order and waiting for delivery and I need to pick up the Dorman diaphragm at the local Autozone still.

I have a bracket that I made up for the GTO reservoir and I'm thinking I will need to invert it to have the holes sit higher, but I'm going to have to wait for the kit to come in to see if it will work. If not, I'll work on making another one, I have a waterjet at my disposal

I also have the Goodridge Phantom brake lines that I will install after I get the Wilwood kit and a replacement GM master cylinder reservoir (already purchased) installed. I've got the Motive power bleeder and just itching to use that sucker Suspension stuff probably will have to wait for next springs tax return

I also need to pick up the Gold Plugs Thanks for posting your mods, they certainly help in checking off the wish list (and adding to it )

Glad to help! I will say as an update to my suspension upgrades: I believe that the stock 1LE struts/springs are really very, very excellent. I am thinking about going back to them with a set of BMR 1" drop springs. I am still playing with the alignment and coilover rebound combination.

[Pushrod Pete]

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

I am thinking about going back to them with a set of BMR 1" drop springs. I am still playing with the alignment and coilover rebound combination.

I've been thinking about going 1" BMR front/rear, but I am hesitant as I don't want to upset the beautiful job the engineers did. If you go this route make sure to post feedback!

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by Pushrod Pete

I've been thinking about going 1" BMR front/rear, but I am hesitant as I don't want to upset the beautiful job the engineers did. If you go this route make sure to post feedback!

Yes, the 1LE strut is superb as is from the factory! Adding a stiffer, shorter spring, how will that play out? It might be OK.

But, I am still playing with the RideTech combo along with my other subtle changes. UPDATE:!!!

First, I want to say that I religiously use Competitive Mode on the street, because of the improvement in the steering feel.
I have been playing with the toe settings. Taking the suggestions of many to increase the toe out on the front to get the "feel" I am looking for, I believe, is not the right direction (FOR ME)

I went the opposite way, as my OE alignment was toe in, and if you have been following my thread and my feedback on other threads has been that I lost the steering feel I had with the OE setup.

Well, I toed it in (not as much as it was stock) and it feels great!!
Why??? Is the electric power steering peculiar on the toe? Is there some sort of feedback within the electric power steering that affects the boost/feel??? I understand the "feel" is subjective, but damn, I loved the feel of my 1LE steering bone stock. I have been honing in on the dampening of the RideTechs and I believe I am very close to what the car wants and what I want. A small change to the rears showed considerable change which has increased my confidence.

I think I am heading in the right direction, but ultimately, time on the racetrack will accelerate the learning.

[cdb95z28]

As I look forward, I ask myself, "What more do I want?" Everyone wants more power, but the light mods on my LS3 are great (what a fantastic engine). I like the increase from headers but I like the practicality, quietness and subtleness of the cast iron manifolds. The quote "If it is too loud, you're too old" rings true with me. I will be 42 next month, but I appreciate great power without being raw. The NPP is perfect for me. Maybe some high flow cats would be acceptable.

If I stick with the RideTechs, there is not much more for the suspension except adding the Moreno camber/caster plates.

That takes me to the front brakes: I like the CTS-V upgrade (thanks Dropspeed for the great info on this upgrade) and the big time AP RadiCals $$$. That might be a winter project.

So far my clutch mods have been working good.

A rear diff cooler and maybe a TrueTrac would be nice.

[cdb95z28]

I weighed the 1LE on a local concrete ready mix plant scale. The scale registers in 20lb increments, and with me in it the weight was 4060lbs, full fuel, RideTech coilovers (30lbs lighter than stock springs/struts) and I weighed myself that morning, 195lbs.

So it weighs about 3865lbs, (+/- 10-15 lbs due to the large scale increment), until I get on a set of better scales, I'll take this weight with less than 100% confidence.

I've looked at what others have had their 1LE's come in at and what GM states they weigh.

Chevy.com listed the 14 1SS as 3908
Chevy.com listed the 13 1SS as 3860
I have also seen Chevrolet list the 14 as 3875 and the 13 as 3849

My invoice listed the weight as 3801lbs

What we don't know is how is GM defining that invoice weight? Full of all fluids but with a minimal amount of fuel in the tank?

[cdb95z28]

I recently ran The Tail of The Dragon, US Route 129 in Tennessee/North Carolina. 318 turns in 11 miles. If you haven't heard about do a Google search.

I did not push it super hard as I had my 12 year old son with me and there is ZERO room for error if you make a mistake or get wide. But the car ran great and the feed back was great. I have since added more rebound the RideTechs and I am liking the feel.

I have also added an Aero Sport Concepts wicker to the OE rear 1LE spoiler. I got the (L) size, and it looks great. Thanks Kurt!

[cdb95z28]

[cdb95z28]