1LE suspension kit

[15AGM_SS]

So I originally intended to purchase the Z28 kit but it seems to have risen in price outside where I feel it to be worth it now. I track my car maybe three times a year with spirited back roads driving and trips to the Dragon spread throughout. Question is for those who have upgraded from the SS to 1LE suspension how noticeable was the difference? Is the almost 3k price difference between the 1LE and Z28 worth it. And with upgrades to bushings, control arms, toe rods etc. how much room is there to improve the 1LE setup?



Suspension and brakes have always been the things I focus most on with the past cars I've built but none of those had the potential the Camaro has. Guess I'm trying to see if I will be satisfied with the 1LE kit or if it will leave me wanting more.

[Avenging Orange]

You can piece together (IMO) a better upgrade than the 1le kit for less. I have yet to complete my upgrade, so I dont have first hand experience...but years of being on this site and others has shown me this is true. Always nice of others to submit to being the Guinea pigs.
Do some reading and learn from others.
Good luck.

[KJZ28]

My 2010 SS wit hthe 1LE shocks alone was a noticeable difference.

[Level300]

Strange that my z28 kit came today and you posted this. I’m literally sitting here reading the installation instructions. I have the 1le suspension and as a similar track day enthusiast, the 1le suspension is amazing at the track. For daily driving, it has a very smooth and compliant ride. It is not harsh at all. At the track it becomes something else. This big heavy car rails around turns. Not once did I ever throttle back because of the suspension (it was the brakes but that’s another post). The car always made me feel like I could go faster, safely. It inspired that much confidence. It’s an awesome setup not only for the street but especially for the track. I have no doubt that you’ll have fun at the track with the 1le setup.

The issue I had with the 1le were the struts. It seems that over time and when it gets above 50 degrees and you are going faster than 30mph over a sharp bump the shocks will bottom out or fully extend (not sure which one) causing a jarring bang. It feels and sounds like you went over a curb. This condition make you change how you drive as you start trying to going around things and puts you on edge around construction zone or place they are laying new asphalt (especially on the highway). You’re constantly looking for things to avoid so you don’t get that loud bang. From what I’ve researched, replacement 1le shocks will do the same thing. So I think this “feature” is inherent in the design. I bought my car with 14k on it and it was doing it when I bought it. In the winter, it’s perfectly fine. The first time it happened to me, I though my rim/tire was toast because I must of run over something big, or something let go. It’s pretty scary if you’re not expecting it. You’ll be swapping out the 1le struts first.

I think someone said the difference is greater going from the 1le to the z28 kit than going from stock SS to 1le...or something to that effect. I say go with your gut and try and swing the z28 kit. Over the next few years you’re probably going to spend close to what the z28 kit cost in parts and time. Did you try tick performance? The were the lowest around...shipping included! Hopefully they will get you within striking distance.

If you do go with 1le search for justicepete on this forum. He was very knowledgeable in suspension setup of these cars. You may get some ideas from his posts.

[Matty Ice]

Not sure what you are running for wheels and tires, but a big part of the 1le and Z28 package/option was the wheels and tires. You will probably find that once you install the 1le/Z28 suspension that you will be limited by the the stock sized tires. Upgrading the suspension is a deep rabbit hole. What are your goals, what are you looking for? A stiffer suspension? Just springs and struts can do that. You just want less body roll, just sway bars can do that. You want to change the way your car handles in the corners, make it steer more neutral, you will need to to do everything at once as if you try to add piece by piece the handling will be off until you complete the upgrades.

The 1le kit is good, the Z28 kit is better, 1le on steroids. Cry once and get the Z28 kit. If it is too stiff and you don't like it, you can sell the springs and struts and get the 1le set up.

DSE springs and Sways with Bilsteins B6's on 20"x10/11" and 285/35 square set up would be a good start. You can add all the other pieces later as wanted/needed.

[mikeman]

I don't know if I would recommend the Z28 kit. It's great, but it may be too stiff out on the street. The Z28 has stiffer springs with smaller sways while the 1LE has softer springs (same as SS) with larger sways.

If you go with the Z28 suspension and don't like it, you'll will have to upgrade the sway bars because the Z28 has smaller sway bars due to the stiffer springs.

[SS 310H55A]

I pieced together my own kit because I didn’t want the harshness if the z/28 springs and shocks and I wanted something better than the 1LE shocks.

I went with pfadt springs and b6 shocks/struts. I wanted DSE springs but research indicated 1.5 inches is too low for these cars and 1.2 is about the sweet spot.

I purchased the z28 rear upper control arm bushings, toe rods, and trailing arms. I was lucky enough to score a set of the jpss radius rod bushings on the marketplace as well as a dse rear sway bar and 1le front bar all for really cheap. I was also lucky enough to score one of the last sets of Pegasus solid cradle bushings when the company went under.

I’ve been sitting on the stuff for awhile now trying to find the time to install, so I can’t comment on how it drives yet. Should be a fairly solid setup.

Don’t forget to order new bolts. Most of the suspension is torque to yield.

[15AGM_SS]

Thanks everyone for the response. So I decided to go with the 1LE kit for now and spend the money I saved on new wheels and tires as I am still running the stock SS setup. My end goal is a jack of all trades master of none and I know that sounds crazy but hear me out. My last car (Cobalt SS) I built to the extreme, if it didn't make it faster it didn't go on. Full suspension with coilovers, bushings, delrin mounts, squeaky race brakes, etc. By the time I parted with it to go to the Camaro it's street manners were gone. It was a nightmare on Virginia roads and with the gutted A/C solid engine transmission mounts and all the other things it started to wear on me. Now yes it was a monster at the track bolt on Mustangs and Camaro's were well withing my limits of keeping up with and often beating but the cost was to high. I'm older now, have more money and less time. I want the Camaro to be more well mannered as I daily it but still be fun at the track. I am not chasing record lap times or 10 second quarters. I went with OEM suspension because back in my Cobalt I hit a pot hole hard and ruined one of my BC coils and custom control arms and it was a nightmare to replace them. OEM parts will be easy to find and will be made for sometime.



My end vision of this car is kind of a Camaro Grand Sport idea if you would. Pick from the Camaro parts bin to build a nice go fast car that can be lived with if that makes sense.

[LCPLPunk]

I have most of the 1LE setup on my car and it ROCKS! I too daily drive and didn't want to feel every bump in the road, but did want to improve my handling. If you are sticking with the 245/275 setup you could throw a ZL1 rear bar on and greatly increase your setup. I would also recommend getting some poly subframe bushings from either BMR or Prothane.


Or...just look and my mod list and repeat.

[15AGM_SS]

Already got all the bushings swapped out with poly. One of the first things I did and that alone made it feel better. Plan is for 285/305 staggered setup cause I love fat rear tires. I know a square setup is better and this will probably lead to more bias to oversteer.

[LCPLPunk]

Since staggered, throw a ZL1 rear sway on. I remember when JusticePeter was still on here, he said that the 1LE bar setup is good, but that the stock front with a rear ZL1 bar is great when running a staggered setup.

[KJZ28]

To update my last post, I now have the 1LE toe links and rear stabilizer bar, coming from a 2010 Camaro I will notice a bigger change than the later models, but WOW! The car hooks better, handles better, transfers weight better, inspires more confidence, and masks some of the weight I use to feel flopping around. It is very street friendly, a little bouncier tough, that is about it.

[LCPLPunk]

KJ, you upgraded your rear LCAs to accommodate the 1LE rear?

[KJZ28]

Originally Posted by LCPLPunk

KJ, you upgraded your rear LCAs to accommodate the 1LE rear?

Yeah..that is what actually started the project. My stock Rear LCA alignment bolts were seized to the control arms and I couldn't get it properly aligned. I had to sawsall mine out....aaannndd while I am replacing, why not upgrade! GM sells a kit for the upgrade. #23484878.