[BoilerUP]

So a couple weeks ago I had an unfortunate meeting of my ATS-V's right side with the VIR Full Turn 14 tire wall because I was stupid. Car was track insured, starts and drives under its own power and is at the body shop now, but I'm trying to do some research on follow-on vehicles if it gets totaled. Evidently only having 4000 or so of a car made impacts availability & cost of body panels - who knew?

Another ATSV is an option, as is the CT4VBW, CTS V3, C7 Z51/GS, C8 Z51, and SS 1LE. Also briefly looked at the FL5 CTR but we won't talk about that...

However...I'm intrigued by the Camaro V6 1LE.

It'll be slower than a higher HP car, but it seems to be reasonably quick around a circuit for the money compared to something like a GR86, ND or older 987. Aftermarket and parts support is good, 1LE package comes with coolers, three pedals, and has the ability to run 275 square with aftermarket wheels. Being slower and 300lb lighter than an ATSV, I could only imagine it being somewhat gentler on consumables. Also $10k or more less to acquire (16-18 model) and cheaper to insure.

So other than V8 noises and less acceleration, is there any downside to the V6 1LE?

[tecmec]

Why not just an SS 1LE? That way you won’t regret the loss of 100 or so HP.

[cdb95z28]

SS 1LE

[DaveC113]

SS 1LE is worth it imo, but tbh I'd go T4 1LE before V6 as the T4 can likely make more power cheaper and is 3300 lbs with 50/50 weight distribution. With a larger turbo and E85 it'll likely beat a stock SS 1LE.

[BoilerUP]

I've seen FAR more horror stories about LTGs killing cylinders than LT1s losing oil pumps...

[m6-lt1]

The V6 and I4 1LE’s are missing some goodies that the SS 1LE has. I know of personally be disappointed if I went backwards in horsepower as well. I strongly suggest getting the SS 1LE.

[cdb95z28]

The saying is "Miata is always the answer for evey automotive question".

I disagree, SS 1LE is also an answer to every automotive question.

[Bumbleboy92]

The other challenge with the LT 1LE is finding one. I count 10 current listings on Cars.com ranging from $19k-$30k.

$19,155 - 70k miles - 2017 1LT V6 Krypton Green w/ accident history

$21,303 - 35k miles - 2020 1LT I4 Shock

$21,651 - 73k miles - 2017 2LT V6 Mosaic Black

$21,998 - 78k miles - 2018 2LT V6 Hyper Blue w/ accident history

$25,994 - 44k miles - 2019 3LT I4 Crush

$27,000 - 38k miles - 2021 1LT I4 Crush

$27,000 - 43k miles - 2021 1LT V6 Summit White

$27,998 - 59k miles - 2020 3LT V6 Riverside Blue

$28,375 - 22k miles - 2021 1LT V6 A10 Satin Steel

$29,992 - 29k miles - 2021 1LT V6 Wild Cherry

[ariZona28]

SS 1LE is my backup choice. My current track ride is a C5 Z06. You might want to consider one of these also.

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by ariZona28

SS 1LE is my backup choice. My current track ride is a C5 Z06. You might want to consider one of these also.

Off topic...My buddy just picked up an '03 Z06. After having driven my car, His long term goal is an SS 1LE.

He's raced oval track stock cars but wants to start track days. What are the weak points on the C5 Z06 for track days? Car has 133k miles. I drove it and felt really good!

[ariZona28]

Originally Posted by cdb95z28

Off topic...My buddy just picked up an '03 Z06. After having driven my car, His long term goal is an SS 1LE.

He's raced oval track stock cars but wants to start track days. What are the weak points on the C5 Z06 for track days? Car has 133k miles. I drove it and felt really good!

Not a whole lotta negatives with the C5. Obviously at 133K miles there might be some wear and tear but the LS6 is strong. Having the injectors cleaned/flowed would be a good item to address as a buddy of mine had a catastrophe after a clogged injector.
Brakes should be updated, at least get some good pads and rotors. I have Carbotech XP12s and XP10s along with DBA rotors I purchased from KNS.
Shocks. I have Konis but Bilstein B8s are popular.
The drivetrain is robust but can be a bit of a PIA to maintain due to the torque tube rear transaxle configuration.
Seats are good for keeping your ass off of the floor.Thats it. Many folks upgrade.
The LS6 can have oil starvation issues in LONG SWEEPING turns. This happened to my original LS6 so the PO installed a 495 LS3 GM crate that absolutely kicks ass! An Accusump was also installed. It's wise to keep rpms down through big turns and keep oil in the pan. I think owners manual tells you to add an extra quart for track also.
AMT Camber kit a must for serious tracking.
Trackspec hood vents to let out the heat.
I keep my oil temp under 290 with driving technique, I keep saying I'll get an oil cooler one o' these days.
Tell your friend to jump into the Corvette Forum. Great info and if you have a problem chances are it's been encountered by somebody else as folks have been aggressively tracking these cars for over 20 years.

[DaveC113]

A friend just got a C5Z for track. He's going to end up spending A LOT of cash on it. I don't think it's going to end up costing any less than a SS 1LE once prepped to a similar state, but it's lighter.

[TransamGTA350]

Oh man, T14 at VIR is at the end of the fastest part of the track. Glad to hear you walked away from that. That tire wall was added after the Mustang & GT3 crash there a few years back.

I also agree with others that I think you will not be happy with a V6 1LE. You'll be wanting more power before the end of the 1st season with it.

If you are looking for something similar to your ATS-V, then I would go with an SS1LE. Hard to beat it as an all around track car.

If you don't need a rear seat, the C7GS and C8Z51 are very good choices.

[JamesNoBrakes]

I'd love to try a V6 1LE for autoX. I wouldn't like to try it for a bigger track and all around driving. The torque on those is just so hard to access being way up in the rev-range. If it was a turbo, that wouldn't be the same concern, but IMO it wouldn't be a good idea for bigger stuff...but possibly near optimal for AutoX due to the lighter weight, better concentration of mass closer to the center, and so on. These are by no means slow cars and the cool think also about the V6 1LE is it comes closer to having optimal rubber/wheels for the size of the car and power, something that a lot of automakers skimp on because it adds a lot to the cost (like the abomination of 255 tires on v8 cars).