Which would handle better? Modded SS vs 1LE vs ZL1

[So Cal Camaro]

Originally Posted by nbrigdan

If you didn't want to go coilovers, would the hotckis still be at the bottom of the field? Even with all it's chassis stiffening stuff?

My only issue with Hotchkis is they haven't updated their product line for the Camaro for the design change in 2012 to the outer positioned rear sway bars....the outside mounting design is a major improvement to the Camaro's rear suspension and the only rear bar they have available is the 2010 style.

Otherwise, there are many Camaro's running his stuff that do very well in the autocross events...

[SPCBA]

the gearing in the 1le trans and the rear is a lot for such a small package price that alone makes it worth it if you actually track your vehicle. being able to sell the wheels for more than the package costs just makes the 1le a no brainer if you dont already have a modified ss.

[Bruce@raymondsperformance]

We have had great luck with Pedders on the SS camaro's.We Prepped the Lingenfelter L28 with Pedders and Danny Popp won the Optima event at Road America and also won the Motor state challenge at Gingerman, with our camaro finishing third behind the 2011 Optima winning corvette.We ran our camaro the LSX shoot out in Bowling Green and had the fastest Fifth gen on the auto cross.The L28 and our camaro was the fastest two camaro's at last years fest.Both cars where invited to the Optima Ultimate Street car shoot out and was 8 seconds faster than the next fifth gen camaro all of this with no chassis bracing.we are starting on our new 1LE car and plan on using the Pedder's track 2 kit on it as well.The 1Le is geared much better than a stock SS with better rear axles.

[jeremywes]

Originally Posted by WV1LE

The extra $3100 I paid for the 1LE is worth it simply because of the wheel upgrade. I could sell them for more than $3100 easily and still have a superior suspension.

Superior to what? a Stock SS especially 2010-2011... maybe, but not by much in my book. 3100 can buy much better equipment and if ur gonna buy aftermarket wheels anyways

[DuskSS]

Originally Posted by jeremywes

1LE is a waste of money. Sways, bushings and coil-overs from Pedders or PFADT and you'll have a greater ability to make track adjustments and in the hands of a skilled drivers will beat a 1LE everytime.

+1
aftermarket is always better.

[So Cal Camaro]

Originally Posted by jeremywes

Superior to what? a Stock SS especially 2010-2011... maybe, but not by much in my book. 3100 can buy much better equipment and if ur gonna buy aftermarket wheels anyways

It is more about the transmission and 3.91 gears for me, plus the ZL1 wheel bearings, and various upgraded suspension pieces, including the larger diameter sway bars and rear struts that feel better than the regular SS and a good starting point to mod.

So better than any SS without this package regardless of the wheels/tires which I sold for more than the 1LE package...and I can tell you the trans/gearing make this Camaro faster than a stock SS running through the gears....

My question is have you driven a 1LE to even understand the difference between the regular SS and 1LE?

[suzbndt]

My ss with BMR springs, sways, and bushings was only .98 sec slower than the Peddars car. It mostly about driver. I would say the monotube dampners would be worth the upgrade. So 1LE shocks and struts are in my future along with some lighter forgeline wheels in 20*10 and 20*11.5. My 20*8.50 and 20*10 are to heavy and skinny for the 275/315 setup. turn in is lazy with these wheels.

[suzbndt]

oh and gearing may be an improvement depending on power levels and traction levels. I will not be doing the 3.91 gears in mine. I have had very competent racers stating that on non dr or race comps factory gearing will be better. At 460hp or more 3.91 really are not any better for lap times or strip times unless you are on very sticky rolling stock

[bannonm]

Originally Posted by jeremywes

1LE is a waste of money. Sways, bushings and coil-overs from Pedders or PFADT and you'll have a greater ability to make track adjustments and in the hands of a skilled drivers will beat a 1LE everytime.

While the tire/wheels on the 1LE are not my first choice, I paid $3K to get 20x10's all around. Add on the strut bar, axles, hubs, and future gears I've paid well more than the cost of the 1LE package just for this stuff. The 1LE is a deal for just that stuff. I agree that aftermarket suspensions will outperform a stock 1LE, but it's a high cost. I have almost $4k in suspension upgrades.

[WV1LE]

Originally Posted by jeremywes

Superior to what? a Stock SS especially 2010-2011... maybe, but not by much in my book. 3100 can buy much better equipment and if ur gonna buy aftermarket wheels anyways

You're saying $3100 isn't worth all of the suspension upgrades, the ZL1 wheels, 3.91 gears, and front lip? Okay bud. If I stripped every one of those upgrades off of my car and sold them on this forum, essentially making it a stock SS, I would have MUCH more than $3100 in my pocket.

To each their own, but catch up on any auto mag that has reviewed the 1LE package and you'll see most if not all agree it's a great bang-for-your-buck upgrade to the SS.

[jeremywes]

Originally Posted by WV1LE

You're saying $3100 isn't worth all of the suspension upgrades, the ZL1 wheels, 3.91 gears, and front lip? Okay bud. If I stripped every one of those upgrades off of my car and sold them on this forum, essentially making it a stock SS, I would have MUCH more than $3100 in my pocket.

To each their own, but catch up on any auto mag that has reviewed the 1LE package and you'll see most if not all agree it's a great bang-for-your-buck upgrade to the SS.

If you like the performance of the 1LE as is and don't want to upgrade then it's not a bad deal. However if you want to put your car on the track and run with the big dogs you'll quickly see the package is lacking. I drove the 1LE at TWS and HMSR and although the 3.91 gears did help to get out of the corners a little quicker it still has quite a bit of understeer with no way to adjust the sway bars and the brakes will wash out if you are hard on the threshold. I had 3.91 on my ss and went back to my stock gear set when I supercharged it because the torque production would easily overpower the car on any tire other than racing slicks.



But the original question posted was "Which would handle better? Modded SS vs 1LE vs ZL1"

I'll run my ss against your 1LE any day but I will admit I spent more than 3100k

[Tibo1LE]

Originally Posted by jeremywes

But the original question posted was "Which would handle better? Modded SS vs 1LE vs ZL1"

I'll run my ss against your 1LE any day but I will admit I spent more than 3100k

Et voilà!!! apple with apple.... 1le3100$ vs ss+3100$= 1le

[SPCBA]

wouldnt mind the rear end and the bearings...and the lca so i could put pfadts zl1 spec sways. my car will out perform a 1le once i get 295's on all four and the big pfadt sways. i already have solid bushings in the rear and upped the n.a power quite a bit. but all that means alot more cash than the 1le costs. its a great bang for the buck package and i would have gotten it if it was available in 2009