[Open Circuit]

Hello ! First-time poster here.
I’m considering the purchase of a used SS 1LE for open track / HPDE use. It will in essence be a dedicated track car, but retain registration so it can be driven to track..and hopefully back home afterward lol.

What I’m noticing is that many serious / semi-serious track guys end up replacing / upgrading most of the 1LE oe equipment after awhile in search of more driving enjoyment and improved lap times. I know the 1le is great out of the box, but there is always room for improvement…right ? Plus..it’s fun to turn money into vapor while preparing a track car.

Anyway…my question is….if a man was likely to be swapping out oe 1le bits for corresponding high quality aftermarket bits anyway…why not just start out with a basic SS…and put the money that would be saved straight toward said aftermarket bits ?
I’m thinking stuff like aftermarket wheels, fixed back seats, coil-overs, sway bars, suspension links, etc. Asked another way, what would a man be giving up by starting with a base SS and modifying as mentioned, rather than starting out with 1LE car ? Thoughts ?

[kropscamaro16]

ive built up my ss to compete in ongrid super gt cup in socal and there is alot of 1le guys and most of the time im able to keep up with them but ive added alot of money and parts to my car wheels tires suspension brakes bolt ons etc


1 thing ill never be able to add is the pdr/ptm models and the elsd if you can find a nice modded ss to start to may be cheaper but once you get done with most of your mods youll probably be around the same price as a 1le so its really up to you...

[DaveC113]

Yeah, it's the ELSD and PTM modes, and an ABS system calibrated for the much grippier 1LE OEM tire setup you'd be giving up and can't be retrofitted.

Also, the OEM 1LE magride suspension isn't bad at all, the OEM wheel/tire setup is also excellent, as are the brakes. Sure, you can spend a ton of cash to improve on all these but you really don't have to. Just get some track pads like Ferodo 3.12 and Brembo HT64 brake fluid, max out camber ft and rear, and the car will be very competent. Enough to get going and consider what else you want to do. Besides roll bars and ZLE rear subframe bushings, everything else will cost big-$ for relatively small gains, might not be worth it depending on what you want. If you're starting with a regular SS and want even better than 1LE sus and brakes, that's going to be $10k+ right there.

[Baddawg53]

There's no doubt that stock 1le will beat a stock SS every time.

Like Krops, I have an SS that I track. I don't think you need a 1le at all, you'd do fine in an SS with just some better tires and some coilovers. At some point you'd need to think about upgrading to the 6 piston brakes. I guess what I'm saying is the 1le is a better starting point, but there's no reason you can't have a really fast SS.

I really don't have any regrets not having all the various ptm settings, elsd and PDR. I run with all the nannies off anyway, and the car is amazingly easy to drive fast. I do have a pretty extensive list of mods to be honest, and a bunch of extra horsepower. Most of which I didn't really have a need for, I just like working on my car.

[KirillWA]

SS 1LE is a very capable track car from the factory. If you are chasing GT3 times - you can do it with upgrades. But for me personally there is so much room to grow as a driver before doing any upgrades to the car.

Why 1LE and not SS with upgrades:
1. eLSD and PTM are killer features of 1LE that you won't get with upgrades. You can get 1LE or even ZL1 brakes, you can get new wheels and rebuild the whole suspension, but you can't get eLSD and PTM on non-1LE SS.
2. 1LE package is $7,500. Brakes and wheels alone will cost you that on basic SS. Seats, eLSD, magnaride, onscreen display - these all are must have things on the track that are basically getting as a bonus.

Why SS and upgrades:
1. If you are looking for an entry car to learn how to track - go with SS and learn how to be a better driver. Basic SS even new is less than $40K, and you can get good used ones in good shape. It is still a capable car - put a good set of wide wheels with track tires and find used calipers from 1LE or ZL1 - and you will dominate the track (mostly).
2. 1LE is a track car. People usually buy it to track, so when you buy used - you need to expect that car had a lot of stress. Basic SS can be former rental or just a car that somebody used to drive around town in style - no track duty on it.

[Open Circuit]

Originally Posted by DaveC113

Yeah, it's the ELSD and PTM modes, and an ABS system calibrated for the much grippier 1LE OEM tire setup you'd be giving up and can't be retrofitted.
.

This is exactly the info I was looking for.

Thank you !

[arpad_m]

Hello Open Circuit and to the forums

Just to add some color to the previous responses, check out this excellent thread straight from the Camaro engineering team, back from 2018 before they were disbanded: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=542333

[Open Circuit]

Originally Posted by arpad_m

Hello Open Circuit and to the forums

Just to add some color to the previous responses, check out this excellent thread straight from the Camaro engineering team, back from 2018 before they were disbanded: https://www.camaro6.com/forums/showthread.php?t=542333

The data in that link is pure GOLD….and right on point. Thanks so much for providing.
For me, the basic take-away is that with a couple of factory suspension kits and a track oriented wheel / tire package, a 1SS can indeed closely approach the lap times of a 2SS 1LE…even without elsd and MR. The point others have made here tho is well taken…..the cost to implement those upgrades is not insignificant. Good to know.

[ariZona28]

Originally Posted by Open Circuit

Hello ! First-time poster here.
I’m considering the purchase of a used SS 1LE for open track / HPDE use. It will in essence be a dedicated track car, but retain registration so it can be driven to track..and hopefully back home afterward lol.
Thoughts ?

If you're going to have a dedicated track car you'll want to consider a truck and trailer for transport to and from events. Extra fuel, tires, tools and chairs etc take up much more space than the Camaro has to offer. If you break, you've got a ride home. You also eliminate the possibility of a flat or ruined race tire on your way to the track. Plenty of affordable open trailers out there.
As to your original question I'd say go 1LE, you might discover you don't need to do too much to it to get your desired results.

[Open Circuit]

Originally Posted by ariZona28

If you're going to have a dedicated track car you'll want to consider a truck and trailer for transport to and from events. Extra fuel, tires, tools and chairs etc take up much more space than the Camaro has to offer. If you break, you've got a ride home. You also eliminate the possibility of a flat or ruined race tire on your way to the track. Plenty of affordable open trailers out there.
As to your original question I'd say go 1LE, you might discover you don't need to do too much to it to get your desired results.

That’s the conclusion I’m coming to as well (1LE).
Got the trailer issue handled…but may need a stronger tow vehicle tho….for the porky 6gen. My aged Tahoe will probably protest under the load. Fortunately…fairly flat around here.

[arpad_m]

The 1LE is an excellent choice, go with the 1SS if you don't care about creature comforts or some extra electronics (dual zone A/C, higher quality radio, blind spot monitoring, rear cross traffic detection, color LED bars in the interior etc.), or go 2SS 1LE if you want everything but the supercharger.

Had the 1LE been offered with the auto trans back in 2018, that's what I would've bought.

[joelster]

You have to be totally honest with yourself in a situation like this. Can you drive an SS 1LE to 100% on a racetrack and notice that it's holding you back? If you are an elite level driver then you know the answer. If you are decent driver then get a 1LE and enjoy it. I know for a fact that a lot of the drivers that help to develop that car are incredibly talented.

[cdrptrks]

Originally Posted by ariZona28

Extra fuel, tires, tools and chairs etc take up much more space than the Camaro has to offer.

I am currently over 1,000 miles away from home at the track in my Camaro without a tow vehicle. 2nd set of wheels with tires fits inside the car along with a pop up chair, toolbox, spares, and clothes if you don't have a passenger. You can always rent a truck/trailer if needed but thankfully I've never needed to after over 4 years of tracking this car including at lots of tracks far from home.

Agreed on the ABS calibration... actually 2019+ SS 1LE ABS module calibration is better but you can swap a used newer module to a 2017-2018 SS 1LE to get the benefit from it which I did last year.

[DaveC113]

Originally Posted by Open Circuit

This is exactly the info I was looking for.

Thank you !

NP, also if you're going to AutoX, GMPP sells an E-LSD AutoX calibration for around $300 for SS 1LEs. It unlocks the diff on corner entry to minimize understeer, then very quickly locks it on throttle, you can both rotate the car better and get to WOT faster. Only active in track mode with all nannies off.