Track Weekend #3: 1LE with Coilovers, Engine Mods and R-compound Tires

[Bryan1LE]

Thanks for the info! Sounds like a very useful drop in weight and rotating inertia! I'm considering picking up a cam and heads from a guy selling them locally. PRC 250cc heads and TSP 229/236 112 LSA cam. Not sure how that compares to your cam, but like you I want to add power and torque without giving up too much drivability and sacrificing valvetrain durability. I already have LT's and CAI waiting to go on the car once I get a baseline dyno run done.

[immaculate chaos]

What's the offset?

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by Bryan1LE

Thanks for the info! Sounds like a very useful drop in weight and rotating inertia! I'm considering picking up a cam and heads from a guy selling them locally. PRC 250cc heads and TSP 229/236 112 LSA cam. Not sure how that compares to your cam, but like you I want to add power and torque without giving up too much drivability and sacrificing valvetrain durability. I already have LT's and CAI waiting to go on the car once I get a baseline dyno run done.

That sounds pretty good to me, but lift is important. You don't want too much lift because if you miss a shift and over rev (which will happen on a road course especially), too much lift = pistions and valves collide = . And I'm no cam expert, but a good road course cam is designed with gradual ramping so that it doesn't beat up your valve springs. Also, the guy that did my engine saved me a ton of money by telling me that the stock LS3 heads flow so well that you really don't get much out of an aftermarket head. So unless the price is right, you may just want to get the cam, rockers, springs, Etc. Are these new heads and cam? If not, you may want to replace the valve springs to be safe.

Looking forward to your results!

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by immaculate chaos

What's the offset?

I'm a little hesitant to give this out because this works for my specific CCW wheels with my Pedders Supercar Coilovers, which have additional clearance for more offset. Not sure if you could get away with this if you don't have the Supercars:

Wheels: CCW C10
F: 18 x 11", 6.75" backspacing
R: 18 x 12", 7.6" backspacing

Tires:

Nitto NT01
F & R: 315/30-18

I would suggest just purchasing from CCW to take the guesswork out, they can tell you with confidence what will fit your specific suspension. Also take a look at my post above about grinding the front spindle to fit 18's.

[cornerspeed92]

Originally Posted by Orange Crush 1LE

Man, that looks insanely fun and insane at the same time! I prefer a little sheet metal around me, LOL. My uncle is Mert Lawwill, he was the AMA Grand National Champ in 1969, so I grew up watching him race and hearing stories. My mom has a newspaper article that talks about all of the bones he broke over the years, more than Evil Knievil (which is quite a few).

Does the car give you the same rush?

There is now way anything can compare to your knee touching the ground at 145 mph,but i di feel like im in a race car while im on track in my 1LE,GOOD GOD I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT YOURS FEELS LIKE

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by cornerspeed92

There is now way anything can compare to your knee touching the ground at 145 mph,but i di feel like im in a race car while im on track in my 1LE,GOOD GOD I CAN ONLY IMAGINE WHAT YOURS FEELS LIKE

I won't lie, this engine came alive with the cam and longtubes! Highly recommended if you can swing it one day.

[TBone]

Originally Posted by Stock Boy

Yes it would be!! Let's meet somewhere in the middle....Road America? Let's do it!

That sounds great!! Or maybe Autobahn CC in Joliet IL. then I can join y'all. These are my home tracks and I can show you the lines for them.

Blasting Boss' or GT500's is becoming boring for me. It is almost too easy. I aim for the Porsche's and Vette's these days.

Good read here though Orange Crush and CornerSpeed. I need to get some more of my video's online.

CCW's FTW!!!!

T.

[Stock Boy]

I am amazed at the amount of people who track with the Camaro... I never see too many there but this site is filled with people who GOTTA RACE...

[DDoug]

How do you like the 1LE vs. the Viper?

Which do you prefer to track? Why?

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by DDoug

How do you like the 1LE vs. the Viper?

Which do you prefer to track? Why?

Well the Viper is the king of the track, it is the one I prefer over any car on the track. The power is explosive, it turns so precisely, it feels light and connected to the track. It truely is a race car that you can street. 100% stock it's ready to race. But the risk is a lot higher, so I only occasionally track it. There is a level of stress that is there when you are tracking a Viper, because of the cost and difficulty to repair it if you mess it up. I will be taking it to the legendary Laguna Seca on 11/14.

The Camaro however is an absolute kick, and no less fun! Amazing on the track, it defies it's weight. What's remarkable is how often the Camaro can beat a car many times it's price. It's a sleeper, most track rats don't know how good they are. But they are finding out quickly, LOL. My goal was to make the Camaro so good on the track that I don't feel the need to track the Viper. Mission accomplished.

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by Orange Crush 1LE

I'm a little hesitant to give this out because this works for my specific CCW wheels with my Pedders Supercar Coilovers, which have additional clearance for more offset. Not sure if you could get away with this if you don't have the Supercars:

Wheels: CCW C10
F: 18 x 11", 6.75" backspacing
R: 18 x 12", 7.6" backspacing

Tires:

Nitto NT01
F & R: 315/30-18

I would suggest just purchasing from CCW to take the guesswork out, they can tell you with confidence what will fit your specific suspension. Also take a look at my post above about grinding the front spindle to fit 18's.

UPDATE: Last night I noticed that the 18" rears rub on the rear suspension arm when the suspension fully compresses. I noticed that the wheels had scrape marks on the inside edge, as did the suspension arm. So the 7.6" offset in the rear is too large for an 18" wheel. I will likely need to add a small spacer to remedy this, probably about 1/8". You can see the aluminum chunk that deposited on the suspension arm, by the bolt in the lower right corner of the second picture. I'll call CCW to get their take.

[DDoug]

If you were to do it again, would you start with a 1LE?

What I mean is, with the Pedder's suspension components and wheel change, is there still an advantage to the 1LE starting point?

I'm also quite impressed with how well the cam and headers woke up the motor.

I have always wanted a Viper, but I just can't get comfortable in them. I was ready to buy a 2001 with less than 800 miles before the ZL1, but could not get comfortable.

Thought about the new Viper, but wanted a convertible. Now, I'm having so much fun with the ZL1, I want a track car! lol

I haven't sat in the new Viper, but I'm expecting to not like it, from past experience. So, maybe, another Camaro?

Have fun!

[dixonk]

Originally Posted by DDoug

If you were to do it again, would you start with a 1LE?


I haven't sat in the new Viper, but I'm expecting to not like it, from past experience. So, maybe, another Camaro?

Have fun!

The 1LE still has other advantages such as the close ratio transmission and 3.91 rear diff. Not to mention the suede steering wheel and short shifter.

As for the Viper you might want to sit in the new one. It is amazing!

[Orange Crush 1LE]

Originally Posted by DDoug

If you were to do it again, would you start with a 1LE?

What I mean is, with the Pedder's suspension components and wheel change, is there still an advantage to the 1LE starting point?

I'm also quite impressed with how well the cam and headers woke up the motor.

I have always wanted a Viper, but I just can't get comfortable in them. I was ready to buy a 2001 with less than 800 miles before the ZL1, but could not get comfortable.

Thought about the new Viper, but wanted a convertible. Now, I'm having so much fun with the ZL1, I want a track car! lol

I haven't sat in the new Viper, but I'm expecting to not like it, from past experience. So, maybe, another Camaro?

Have fun!

Yes but I'd start with a 2014 1LE if I could. The vented hood relieves lift, and I'd get the Recaros. There's a chance I would start with the Z28 but only if the price was low enough. Or maybe a used Z06.

Hard to beat the 1LE though, for less than $36k this is a track monster. Pretty sure I would have no problem turning faster laps in this than a Z28. If I got a Z28 or Z06 I would end up modding it any way so starting with the lower price of the 1LE seems the best way to go to me.

The cockpit is tight in the Viper but my 6' 7" friend has no problem with his. There is a seat lowering mod for Vipers that helps. The Sabelt seats are narrow and supportive. Extremely comfortable for average to slender people like me. Best seats I've ever sat in. Just drove to Vegas and back with my lady. Very comfortable. Suspension is stiff and exhaust is loud. It is a race car that you can street! So if you like that sort of thing the Viper is awesome.