2014 SIM 1SS/1LE Search & Build Thread

[demonspeed]

Great updates! Will you be at TNiA at the end of the month?

As for that clutch spring, why not just remove it entirely? That’s the best thing I did to mine (I’m running a Monster LT1S).

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

Great updates! Will you be at TNiA at the end of the month?

As for that clutch spring, why not just remove it entirely? That’s the best thing I did to mine (I’m running a Monster LT1S).

Hey Steve, yep, I’m signed up for the 27th. How about you?

I did try it without the spring also, I kinda liked it spun around, but I should remove it now that I’ve been driving it. Just to give it another chance.

I saw you are thinking of a Gen6? An SS 1LE?

[cdb95z28]

Update: I noticed some accelerated front tire wear, on the inner shoulder. I’ve been running about 2mm toe in with 3* of camber. But I did a lot of reading on Ackerman. As I mentioned in post # 264, the precision and responsiveness of the current set up is fantastic. But it may come with a price.

Ackerman is the dynamic toe change of the inner front tire in a turn. For example, when turning left, the LF tire is the inner, less loaded tire. Pro-Ackerman will make this tire move towards toe out as compared to the RF. The idea is that since this LF tire does not contribute as much grip as the RF in a left turn, adding Ackerman (Pro-Ackerman) will help the LF add grip by increasing it’s slip angle. It’s all about adding more front grip, but go too far and the inner shoulder will see increased wear.

Anti-Ackerman is when the inner tire in a turn moves toward a toe in condition, which doesn’t help grip at that tire. But it is still used in certain applications.

With me adding a lot of caster, that pulls the front knuckle forward, and this moves the tie rod end forward also, but the effect of this is an increase in (Pro) Ackerman.

I believe my current setup is hard on the inner shoulder. I’m on my way to trying a different approach.

Also, while some of the responsiveness could be a result of the stiffer front anti-roll bar setup, I have found that on the street, it is way too stiff, every small undulation ripples throughout the car.

I also swapped out to Royal Purple Syncromax, and the trans shifts much better.

[demonspeed]

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

Hey Steve, yep, I’m signed up for the 27th. How about you?

I did try it without the spring also, I kinda liked it spun around, but I should remove it now that I’ve been driving it. Just to give it another chance.

I saw you are thinking of a Gen6? An SS 1LE?

Unfortunately no, I’m not going to be able to make it to this one. Hoping for May, though.

And yes, I plan to order a 2023 as it’s presumed that’ll be the last year. Just going to run my 13 this year and see how things go. Assuming the rumor is true, I’ll place an order next spring and then sell this one while I’m waiting.

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

Unfortunately no, I’m not going to be able to make it to this one. Hoping for May, though.

And yes, I plan to order a 2023 as it’s presumed that’ll be the last year. Just going to run my 13 this year and see how things go. Assuming the rumor is true, I’ll place an order next spring and then sell this one while I’m waiting.

I should be at the May TNiA too.

Awesome, I still want to jump in a Gen6. Been thinking recently of keeping my 1LE for track only use and getting an A10 SS 1LE for a daily. Wild Cherry is on the radar. I'm always holding out hope for a Gen6 Z/28 though, if that came true and it was everything I think it should be, then my 1LE would go away.

[demonspeed]

As much as I enjoy driving this the 5th gen is just too large of a platform for me to rationalize dedicating it to motor sports. 3rd and 4th gens are perfect drag cars (that do well on a road course as well), but 5th gens seem more suited to being a great road car that can do it all. I always told myself I’d only ever buy a ZL1 because of that, but my 1LE fell into my lap. Sorry, don’t mean to hijack your build thread!

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

As much as I enjoy driving this the 5th gen is just too large of a platform for me to rationalize dedicating it to motor sports. 3rd and 4th gens are perfect drag cars (that do well on a road course as well), but 5th gens seem more suited to being a great road car that can do it all. I always told myself I’d only ever buy a ZL1 because of that, but my 1LE fell into my lap. Sorry, don’t mean to hijack your build thread!

Mine's at a point where it's set up good for the track. Got all the cooling, brakes, powertrain for track days. Once I ever stop playing with the front suspension it's just pads, tires and fluid. Rinse and repeat. I will admit that buying track tires every year is nuts, lol.

The beauty of the Gen6s are they can do that pads, tires and fluids thing right from the factory! But I really like my '14. Not sure I could part with it. I know every ounce of the thing. I had my '95 for 14 years until something drastically different came around to interest me enough to part with it.

You're not hijacking at all! I'm always down for other thoughts and perspectives!

[demonspeed]

That’s a great perspective - wash, rinse, repeat. And in no way am I saying a 5th gen can’t be good on a track. Since I’m clearly not anywhere as deep into mine as you are yours, I just start thinking what is better mod-for-mod. Our cars were tank-like sedans first and foremost you had a G8, so you know Zeta - I had an 08 GT as well. You’re a much better driver than I, so you’ve definitely been able to extract the most out of them.

I’ve also never bought a brand new Camaro, so I need to kick that off the bucket list

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

That’s a great perspective - wash, rinse, repeat. And in no way am I saying a 5th gen can’t be good on a track. Since I’m clearly not anywhere as deep into mine as you are yours, I just start thinking what is better mod-for-mod. Our cars were tank-like sedans first and foremost you had a G8, so you know Zeta - I had an 08 GT as well. You’re a much better driver than I, so you’ve definitely been able to extract the most out of them.

I’ve also never bought a brand new Camaro, so I need to kick that off the bucket list

Yep, they are heavy, more tire and more brake pad consumption. I definitely have more to get out of mine. I'm a slow learner, haha

[cdb95z28]

A few quick updates:

As mentioned in a previous post, after all my front suspension changes this winter, I believe that the Ackerman has increased to the point it was wearing the inner shoulder at a fast rate. Here's a good video explaining Ackerman:



So I've changed up how I'm increasing caster (with a set of still new Moreno camber plates-thanks Blownfogger540). I'm giving up the precise and responsive steering I had but I have to control the inner shoulder wear.

I also bought a used Brey Krause harness bar here on the forums and installed a Schroth Flexi 2x2 harness. I am also doing the (maybe) unthinkable and I am going to add a slot in my Recaros for the six point anti-submarine part of the harness. While this is an un-reversible move, it only affects the lower seat cover/cushion. I feel I could sell/swap this lower seat cover/cushion to another Recaro seat owner someday if I sold this 1LE. I will say that the Z/28s with the non powered Recaros will have an easier time in adding a anti-sub harness because there is no power seat hardware to get in the way of the harness. On the powered seats, there is a tight window to get the harness fed down to their mounts. I will have to be careful when moving the seat forward or rearward.

First track day is April 27th.

I visited my buddy Adam from WV and he let me drive his 2018 SS 1LE for about 1.5 hours on the awesome twisty roads of WV and Ohio. Some of my complaints from previous, very short drives in other Gen6 Camaros was that I didn't feel comfortable in the smaller interior vs the Gen5. The combo of seating position, cramped interior and the high dash didn't give me any positive thoughts to get a Gen6. Adam knew this and insisted I get the seat where I was most comfortable.

I guess I just needed a good amount of seat time to warm up to the Gen6. I felt relaxed and I later realized that I had not noticed the high dash and twin humps behind the steering wheel that I had trouble warming up to in the past. Adam let me run the car as hard as I wanted, but I still left alot on the table because it's not mine. I did, however, come away with a new desire for a Gen6. I was comfortable driving the car fast thru the very twisty roads that sometimes had great elevation change. The SS 1LE is so poised and the steering feel and feedback is amazing. His car has the Vorshlag camber plates and the front camber was set to -2* . He installed the Michelin 4S tires and while they are no doubt an all around great tire, I suspect had I driven it with the OE Goodyear F1s it would have been even more rewarding of a drive.

[demonspeed]

Welcome to the “going to get a 6th gen” club ��

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by demonspeed

Welcome to the “going to get a 6th gen” club ��

Haha, a few things need to line up, or stay lined up. My industry is on uncertain ground. That's the biggest thing right now.

[cdb95z28]

The anti-sub slot on my Recaro worked out perfect. The harness feels way better without me sitting on the anti-sub belts.

[cdb95z28]

New personal best at Pitt Race today, 1:54.78