Comparison: Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE vs. Ford Mustang GT Track Pack

[Z Boss]

A nice marketing opportunity for Chevy would allow us to order a 5th gen LS7 SS coupled to a 1LE package. Heck, they could even call it "Z28." Oops, sorry. I didn't mean to spread premature rumors about the next Camaro package that may or may not share the same package designation as one in each of the previous 4 generations of Camaros. I'll be in line for hot new Z28, or a Z29, ZL2 or an SSS or whatever Chevy calls it. You don't need to use Z28; a new package with great performance can make it's own name great!!

P.S. - Please don't use Berlinetta or Type LT - thank you.

[PYROLYSIS]

Originally Posted by newb

In this case the Camaro only cost more because of non go fast parts. Take off the RS and use a 1SS and you still have the same performance for less than the Mustangs as tested price. Great job Chevy! I can't wait to get my hands on mine.

Originally Posted by Bodih

I would seriously call this car a Z-28, but wish they had squeezed about 480 Hp out of the engine.

Building a 1SS/1LE on Chevrolet.com with nothng but the dual mode exhaust (the only performance option available) nets at $37,430. Well below the Mustang Track Package, and probably even faster without the RS and 2SS weight-adding options.

Just saying...

A 1SS/1LE would be cheaper than the car MT tested, but not cheaper than a regular Mustang GT with the track pack. That car had quite a few other options added too. They really should have done the comparison we all wanted to see, a Boss LS vs a 1LE. GM wouldn't call it out if they didn't think the 1LE could hang. To me all the Mustang track pack does is allow you to take a GT to the track. The 1LE package completely transforms an SS and improves the driving experience.

[Smart Line]

Originally Posted by NVmyZL1

Doubt there will be any. If the Z28 comes as a '14 model, there will be nothing to directly compete against. Ford Boss 302 production ended with the 2013 model year.

what are they doing something new?

[Jims73z]

My question is have the mags tested a new SS? They say the SS is a pig but the suspension has been revised. Maybe would have been a better comparison for the mustang.

[PYROLYSIS]

Originally Posted by Jims73z

My question is have the mags tested a new SS? They say the SS is a pig but the suspension has been revised. Maybe would have been a better comparison for the mustang.

Good point. So far no magazines have felt like the FE4 suspension is enough of an improvement to retest.

[Jims73z]

With this test the mustang basically has worse tires, anyone who has autocrossed or above can see where a lot of the 3 seconds came from. Also we're a pig at only 242 lbs. more ? That's less than one of me.

[PYROLYSIS]

Originally Posted by Jims73z

With this test the mustang basically has worse tires, anyone who has autocrossed or above can see where a lot of the 3 seconds came from. Also we're a pig at only 242 lbs. more ? That's less than one of me.

They got the weight wrong again. The 1LE actually weighs a little more at 3875 per GM.

[Deki]

Originally Posted by NVmyZL1

I mean, despite showing that both models are better overall performers than their blue oval counterparts, GM is losing pony car sales to Ford!

Same thing happened with the 4th gen. The Mustang was an easier car to drive and live with. Only reason why I got it over an SS is because the ergonomics were better for me, and I fit in it much better.

Originally Posted by Jims73z

My question is have the mags tested a new SS? They say the SS is a pig but the suspension has been revised. Maybe would have been a better comparison for the mustang.

I never understood where the idea that the other year SS Camaros didn't handle well came from. It was neck and neck with the 5.0 when it came out, although slightly behind, but not by much.

Originally Posted by Jims73z

Also we're a pig at only 242 lbs. more ? That's less than one of me.

x2 All the mags make it sound like it's 4500 pounds.

[stikSS]

Well.... for every 100lbs = 1 tenth on the track... which is huge when comparing competition that is this close. So 242 lbs sure don't seem like much but it makes all the difference in the world on the track, plus factor in the size in the gas tanks.... that in itself is alot more weight.

[Dan1028]

Who the hell is doing the editing at Motor Trend these days? I'm a subscriber, and I'm pretty appalled by how many incorrect numbers and citations appear throughout the photos and article. V6 figures for the 1LE? 14.7s 1/4 mile times for both? Neither of these match the performance data at the bottom, which I guess is what matters, but all that could be f'ed up, too!


Ugh, assuming that it's correct, though, well done Camaro team. And Motor Trend: pick up the slack!!

[Neal@NitrousOutlet.com]

I say good job to both companies for making two great performing cars. They are still so close that its a drivers race no matter what race you do. I enjoy both cars for different reasons!

[edco]

These one versus one run offs are a little like dyno tests. You can get any result you want to engineer.
There is a ZL1 versus B302 run off where the Z leads by 2+ secs per lap. However, it was at a western states track at 4800 feet elevation. Supercharged air-in had a remarkable advantage over naturally aspirated. Car prep, tune, tires, pressure, driver bias are some of many variables. The Camaro is impressive, no argument. The race circuit wins are dominated by mustangs. Until 2012 camaro never finished higher than 17th. reason-Camaro is last to the game and catching up and will improve everywhere in the results over time. I don't race, my stang is a street machine, modified for handling not power. In Missouri we have curviest hilliest roads next to west VA. We go on driving safari.
The 07 Gt is 3300 ponds empty. Eibach swayB, KYB struts, Steeda arms, H&R spacers, H&R springs, Watts link rear, aluminum drive shaft & fly wheel, kevlar clutch, 3.73 axle, all you need is second and third gear-300 hp and a racing harness. I run with every Porsche 911 & BMW in the club and their brakes are hot when we stop. Through most of the roller coaster cylinder head back-pressure is ample for down hill turns. 8 cyls versus 6 is better. The camaros, they never show up. 426 Hp is literally an unusable advantage. The Pontiac GT8-sedan-taxicab road feel of the camaro just cannot be as much fun to drive. Camaro for its chassis is a better riding car. That misses the point of a pony car-a hot rod-it is supposed to have a solid axle and feel rude. If I wanted a nice ride I would buy a Lexus.
Final point: on certain challenging country road routes I will take my car and beat yours or take your car and beat mine. That is why these one on one tests are suspect regardless of which car wins.

[SUKXOST]

Originally Posted by stikSS

Well.... for every 100lbs = 1 tenth on the track... which is huge when comparing competition that is this close. So 242 lbs sure don't seem like much but it makes all the difference in the world on the track, plus factor in the size in the gas tanks.... that in itself is alot more weight.

premium fuel = 6.35lbs/gallon (roughly)

X3 gallons = 19.05lbs + extra weight of the larger tank

let's call it 20lbs :P

[cornerspeed92]

Bravoooooooooooo