LT1 vs. 1SS 1LE
 

Alright guys, I'm kind of under the gun here with some new info and I really need your guy's input and expertise on the matter.

I've come upon an LT1 here. Not really ideal, I'd much rather have a lowly specced 1SS Manual than that but pickings are extremely slim as we all know.

1SS 1LE is definitely a bad ass car. Love the forged wheels and the non-run flat max performance summer tires. Mainly went with 1LE is because that was what was available.

However it's about $9000 more than the LT1 I have a line on. I have to be honest with myself, it's going to be a purely street car, so the 1LE is definitely overkill. Plain 1SS is the sweet spot, so the LT1 is definitely a compromise.


One of the downsides is the LT1 only has engine oil cooler. Upside is as it's obviously bare bones, less things to break. Will I run into any kind of overheating of any drivetrain components on spirited mountain runs?

What say you all?

Spend the extra money and get 1LE, awesome bargain for the price.

Can't deny that. Forged rims + max summer tires are easily $6k in aftermarket, but I would only swap out the tires to PS4S on the LT1, so with that being said, the difference is now only about $6k

I just thing the grill on 1LT is just ugly. Looks like a jack o lantern.

I second this……

I bought the LT1 because it suits my style and driving habits the best. For reference I’ve also owned a base 1SS and a ZL1. I’m rare bird going backwards….


With that said, in almost all cases the the 1LE is the best looking-handling- bang for the buck performance package dollar for dollar. So, the 1SS LE really isn’t a good $ comparison to a LT1, unless you buy the LT1 fully stripped down and maybe buy some after market wheels / tires and are happy from there. Then, the cost difference makes a bit more sense.

The base 1SS isn’t bad, it’s not really a bargain though. The extra coolers aren’t needed for aggressive street runs. My LT1 has stayed nice and cool on a 85F day and I was into it for a good while a couple weeks back.

Be brutally honest with yourself and try to think the future through. If all you really want to change is the tires, and you sure won't miss the HUD, splitter, dual mode exhaust, magnetic ride control dampers, Recaro seats, the eLSD diff, stiffer suspension or better brakes, then go with the LT1 and save the cash.

However, if you know deep down that you'll want to upgrade and get even only some of this stuff after the fact, get the 1LE now, that'll be the cheapest option. I would've bought the 1LE if it had been offered with the auto trans back in 2018; this way I spent about $1000 less on upgrading pieces than what the 1LE package would've cost, and I still don't have the Recaros or the eLSD (that one is impossible to retrotfit).

Yea, I'm trying to be brutally honest with myself. Luckily the LT1 has some critical options on it: RS Package with the tinted taillight, dual exhaust which is the only reason why I'm considering it. If it didnt have those 2, I would just stick with the 1SS 1LE.

All the other items in the 1LE package like HUD, magneride, splitter, Recaro's, eLSD, etc aren't critical to me. I'd really like the cooling on the entire drivetrain on the SS/1LE, but the reality is I probably will never push it enough to need it, as I don't track the car.

It's an option on Chevrolet.com that you can option the performance copper-free brakes(word is it's basically the CT5-V Blackwing brakes?) on the LT1(even though it already comes with copper-free brakes), that would really push me over the edge, but it's not on the LT1 I'm looking at.

But by golly, the 1SS 1LE looks freaking amazing.

Yea the thing is I wouldn't buy a stripped down LT1. I really don't like the red tail lights as I personally think it makes or breaks the look of the rear end.

It does have 90% of the options I would tick for an LT1, but at that point it's already at 1SS money and not a bare bones, bargain V8 it could be.

That's also another thing holding me back, paying 1SS money for an LT1.

Tough call indeed :) The good thing is whichever way you go, you'll end up with an absolutely amazing car. Good luck with your purchase.

Since you are sure that you won't be tracking it, save the cash and buy the LT1 or wait for a 1SS.

I love my 2SS 1LE, but it is overkill for street, even canyon runs. You can do double the speed limit through the twisties and the car is still so buttoned down that there isn't much excitement in it. To really get a rush from it, you have to drive it at about 9+/10ths, which is totally unsafe on the street. Luckily I track it. Otherwise I think it would be rather boring most of the time.

The LT1 will let you have fun hooning around, and the lower limits (relative to the 1LE) will allow you to have a little more drama with the suspension (feeling of speed=fun!) in the twisties, all while going at a more reasonable speed.

Do you like the corners or stoplight nationals? LT1 is a very cool car for the $, but so is the 1SS with 1LE. If you try and spec out an LT1 for road course type driving, you will never get close to a 1LE in anything but price point. The 1LE gives you so many great options in the package for the price..and from a resale standpoint they are more desirable.

Yes. Lol

I never try to make the car more than it is. Everyone knows in the world of car enthusiasts, that's one of the worst ways to spend money you'll never get back.

Tires seem a bit comically small at 245 all around, but the upside is it's rotatable!

I've worked out the numbers and it's basically $7k cheaper for the LT1 all said and done. That's not nothing, but it's also not super critical.

Also the LT1 should be arriving within 2 weeks. Sales person will confirm once their system/contact is available on Monday.