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

[edco]

interesting

[IMJ]

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.

If the 1LE was pulling comparable times to the Ford, then the SS would've lost, regardless of the minor 2012+ suspension upgrades.

[newb]

Originally Posted by IMJ

If the 1LE was pulling comparable times to the Ford, then the SS would've lost, regardless of the minor 2012+ suspension upgrades.

On second thought, the gt and the SS sound more evenly matched with a slight edge to the GT straight line but pretty even on a track. The 1LE is pretty much a blowout (at this track) and the SS should make for good competition.


Sent from a rainbow while riding a unicorn

[Strider044]

Good read.

[NASTY99Z28]

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.

If they weigh both cars with a full tank then the gas tank and the fuel would be apart of the 242lbs difference.

[doc7000]

3 seconds a lap is simply not close at all, they are not even in the same class (which makes this review kind of pointless). At 100MPH 3 seconds is 435 feet, in other words after just one lap the Camaro put a 43 story building (at 100MPH) between it and the Mustang GT with track pack.

[GRAHL]

Originally Posted by doc7000

3 seconds a lap is simply not close at all, they are not even in the same class (which makes this review kind of pointless). At 100MPH 3 seconds is 435 feet, in other words after just one lap the Camaro put a 43 story building (at 100MPH) between it and the Mustang GT with track pack.

Or about 3-4 car lengths after each turn.

[Deki]

Originally Posted by shaffe

IIRC the Boss has the "HiPO 302" and the adjustable suspension. I believe those are the main performance differences between the Boss and the track pack. That would also lead me to believe that the suspension on the boss is improved as well but I am not sure.

according to Ford's site the track pack adds: 3.73 gears, engine cooler, upgraded radiator, performance brake pads, torsen diff(same as boss) and front Brembos and 19" wheels and summer tires

The Boss also has wider tires front and rear (265/285), the Track Pack GT has 255s on all 4 corners.

[Baltimorejohn1]

Originally Posted by Edwin320

I wonder what the Boss 302 excuse will be when the LS7 powered Z28 shows up.

That has to really have Ford scrambling worried that the Z28 will show up with an LS7 engine and ZL1 track pack.....

If they make it also with an automatic you really will see it on the road everywhere......
With a manual it will sell......

Once it comes out I will be ready for my next car.... Corvette, ZL1, or Z28 and yes I'm keeping my 2SS

[Fraxum]

Originally Posted by 2cnd chance

I don't believe there is a big difference between the GT Track Pack and a Boss, but the engine. ?

Actually quite a few changes:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boss_302_Mustang

"The Boss 302 takes the Mustang GT’s suspension and adds higher-rate coil springs, stiffer bushings, and a larger diameter rear stabilizer bar. The body is lowered 11 mm (0.433 in) up front and just 1 mm (0.039 in) in the rear to give it a more raked stance designed to recall the original. The shocks are adjustable at the shock tower by using a flat head screwdriver. The standard Mustang traction and stability control programs have been altered with a new intermediate sport mode designed to allow for more flexibility on the track.
The aero package is almost entirely copied from the Boss 302R race car. The 19-inch black-alloy racing wheels are 9-inches wide up front and 9.5-inches out back and come fitted with 255/40-19 (front) and 285/35-19 (rear) Pirelli P-Zero tires."

The GT Track Pack:

"Available only on manual GT Mustangs with a 3.73 axle, the package gives track enthusiasts an engine cooler, upgraded radiator, performance friction brake pads and the same Torsen® differential that's on Mustang Boss 302. The package includes everything in the current Brembo™ Brake Package, with 14-inch vented front discs, unique 19-inch alloy wheels and summer performance tires."

So the Track Pack is not all that.

The 1LE"

"All Camaro SS models now feature variable-effort electric power steering and an available dual-mode exhaust system on manual transmission-equipped models, but the 1LE package goes way beyond that. It's available on 1SS and 2SS coupe models with an exclusive Tremec TR6060-MM6 six-speed manual transmission. Paired with a numerically higher 3.91 final-drive ratio, the close-ratio gearing of the transmission is tuned for road-racing performance. As with the ZL1, the 1LE transmission features a standard air-to-liquid cooling system for track use.

The 1LE also features exclusive, monotube rear dampers instead of the twin-tube dampers on SS models. The new hardware allowed engineers to tune the 1LE suspension to focus on optimal body-motion control while preserving much of the ride quality and wheel-motion control of the Camaro SS. Other changes to optimize the 1LE for track-day use include the following

Larger, 27-mm solid front stabilizer bar, and 28-mm solid rear stabilizer bar for improved body control
Higher-capacity rear-axle half shafts to cope with increased levels of traction
Strut tower brace for improved steering feel and response
ZL1-based 20 x 10-inch front and 20 x 10-inch aluminum wheels
285/35ZR20 Goodyear Eagle Supercar G:2 tires front and rear (identical to the front tires for ZL1)
ZL1 wheel bearings, toe links and rear shock mounts for improved on-track performance
ZL1 high-capacity fuel pump and additional fuel pickups for improved fuel delivery during high-load cornering."

Really the 1LE and Boss 302 are very much the same animal from different parents. The biggest difference is Ford added a few HP to the detriment of torque. Chevy left the LS3 alone to leave room for the new Z28 coming soon.

The 1LE benefits from a stiff chassis, IRS, and some great suspension engineering and is intended to compete with the Boss 302, not the GT Track Pack. Both the new Z28 and the 1LE both will compete with the Boss.

[2SSJIM]

I like it............. Chevy proved that even with the weight, the car can move. Well done Chevy.

[Fenderaddict2]

Originally Posted by Edwin320

I wonder what the Boss 302 excuse will be when the LS7 powered Z28 shows up.

No excuse needed, the car's production run is done. I'm happy I have one. But no doubt in my mind the best bang for the buck Camaro is the 1LE. I was drawn to this site by the ZL1 but it's the 1LE I'd lust after. Nice car GM.

[doc7000]

I also feel that a LS7 powered Z/28 is pretty pointless, considering how well the 1LE does hitting above its price the Z/28 really doesn't fit in anywhere currently.

[Fenderaddict2]

Originally Posted by NVmyZL1

I agree completely. I considered ordering a 2SS with the 1LE package, but ultimately chose the ZL1. I did trade my 2012 Boss in on the GT500 though, figuring the ZL1 will serve me well on open track days and the Shelby will do better when I visit the dragstrip.

As far as a Z28 goes, if an LS7-powered version is built, it will be to satisfy the diehard Camaro fans, not to compete directly with something Ford offers. I'd imagine most of the sales will come from folks who already own a Gen5 Camaro trading in their current one to get it.

A smart man. I enjoy a bit of Ford vs. Chevy fun but don't take it all that seriously... A good car is a good car and as we've seen time and time again, competition improves the offerings for everyone, be it a cross town rival, a so called "ricer" (hate that term BTW) or an autobahn stormer. My Boss was a better car than the BImmer I traded it for, the Camaro is now better and so on and so forth.