[bishopts]

What about how does a non 1LE compare on a track to a ATS-V?
Its not like a 1SS is some piece of trash because it has 4 piston brembos instead of 6. And does not having magnetic shocks make it impossible to drive?
I would say stock to stock my 2ss would still be a better choice over a c5 zo6.

[N Camarolina]

I'd say try the T4 or V61LE. If you're the kind of guy (like me) that prioritizes corner carving, the lower weight will make the G6 that much better. Sure, your speed at the end of the straights won't be as high, but if that doesn't matter too much to you (no matter what you drive, there's always another car with more HP than your own), then no big loss. And the lower consumables cost will be another plus.

About the only thing I'd be potentially missing from the V8 (I own an SLE after all) is:
1) The shifting flexibility from the flat torque curve
2) The awesome exhaust notes.

[JamesNoBrakes]

Originally Posted by bishopts

What about how does a non 1LE compare on a track to a ATS-V?
Its not like a 1SS is some piece of trash because it has 4 piston brembos instead of 6. And does not having magnetic shocks make it impossible to drive?
I would say stock to stock my 2ss would still be a better choice over a c5 zo6.

At AutoX, I always beat the ATS-V in the SS1LE, but the ATS-V still handles VERY well and is a very good car, probably faster in a straight line most of the time and good tuning potential.

A C5 Z06 is a unicorn in terms of power to weight and having tuning potential, but you still have a very tail-happy car that you gotta be careful bringing the power back on out of turns and drive like a "corvette". When you see people setting hero laps in these it's usually a full time handful job, it's not effortless. It's past the point of being an absolute joy at that point IMO, vs. something like C8 that they've just made amazing that you can put down the power coming out of the turn w/o it doing crazy stuff or having to correct 100 times a second. C05 Z06 still very good, but I'd take the ATS-V for everyday fun.

[BoilerUP]

The ATSV is really quite similar to the SS 1LE. Same chassis, same brakes, similar weight, etc.

I think the LF4 is the better powerplant; doesn't sound as good but you get power a lot easier/cheaper. The LT1 being NA doesn't drop out boost if you have to momentarily lift, so its got that going for it.

The Camaro can fit bigger tires, which is the single biggest benefit for circuits - no way you're getting 305 square on any ATS-V. 285/645s can be sqeezed up front on an ATSV with bespoke wheels but if you want 295/30R18s in the front you're gonna need MCS coilovers for room. That pretty much means a stagger; I was running 275 front 295 rear when I had my shunt.

The draw to the V6 1LE is acquisition & consumables cost, NPP makes the V6 sound good, it comes with supplemental fluid coolers for the track, comes with LSD (not eLSD like the SS1LE or ATSV), plenty of available body panels if there is a need for cosmetic work, and while it may not be as 'fast' as a SS it is still quick around a circuit. 275/35R19 squared is probably ideal for that car for its power, maybe 285/35R19 at the most.

I also daily a Silverado and would be looking at a 70% track/30% street option moving forward, making the Cadillac's relative comforts less of a factor.

[BoilerUP]

Originally Posted by bishopts

What about how does a non 1LE compare on a track to a ATS-V?

Okay, so more digging has basically led me to this:

The V6 1LE is essentially an SS with a V6 engine.

I didn't know the SS had all the same fluid coolers as a 1LE, just smaller front brakes (yes along with eLSD/PTM, wheels and tires, suspension and springs, etc).

More options just presented themselves...

[2SS Capt]

Originally Posted by BoilerUP

Okay, so more digging has basically led me to this:

The V6 1LE is essentially an SS with a V6 engine.

I didn't know the SS had all the same fluid coolers as a 1LE, just smaller front brakes (yes along with eLSD/PTM, wheels and tires, suspension and springs, etc).

More options just presented themselves...

The V6 1LE has standard, single piston rear brakes (unlike the SS which has 4 piston Brembos out back)...

[clyde]

Originally Posted by BoilerUP

Okay, so more digging has basically led me to this:

The V6 1LE is essentially an SS with a V6 engine.

I didn't know the SS had all the same fluid coolers as a 1LE, just smaller front brakes (yes along with eLSD/PTM, wheels and tires, suspension and springs, etc).

More options just presented themselves...

Just some more food for thought...

The RPO code for the 1LE package for the V6 and turbo cars was A1X and included. From the 2019 order guide (I think some cosmetic and interior bits may have changed through the run, but the mechanical/performance parts stayed the same):

1LE Track Performance Package, includes
(J55) Brembo 4-piston front, performance,
4-wheel antilock, 4-wheel disc brakes, (KC4)
external engine oil cooler, (V03) extra
capacity cooling system, (KNR) rear
differential cooler, (G80) limited slip
differential, (Y4Q) Heavy-Duty Cooling and
Brake Package, (FE3) performance
suspension, (FTF) Satin Black front splitter,
(DSM) Satin Black hood wrap, (D5S) Satin
Black rear blade spoiler, (R0F) 245/40ZR20
front and 275/35ZR20 rear, blackwall,
summer-only, run-flat tires, (56Z) 20" x 8.5"
front and 20" x 9.5" rear Black forged
aluminum wheels, RS badging, RS lighting,
(N26) sueded-wrapped, flat-bottom steering
wheel and (KS9) sueded-wrapped shift knob,
also includes (NPP) dual-mode exhaust and
(V18) auxiliary engine coolant when (LGX)
3.6L V6 engine is ordered

The FE3 suspension was the base SS suspension, but I've heard that some of the individual part numbers may be different.

If you want a V6 1LE, the main problem you may find is...finding one. They are pretty rare. OTOH, since it's a parts bin car, you can make one from a regular V6 pretty easily and inexpensively.

[cdb95z28]

Originally Posted by ariZona28

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.

Thank You! Great info!

[Roostie]

Wish I'd seen this thread earlier. I'm the original owner of a 2018 V6 1LE and I have no regrets. The 335 hp is only inadequate in comparison the the V8. I had a I4 1LE in my run group at one track day, and to my surprise on a medium-length straight (at the dearly-departed Autoclub Speedway infield course) I was consistently able to pass the I4 without difficulty. The V6 has a considerable power advantage over the turbo 4 in stock form.


Test drives of the SS 1LE and the V6 1LE revealed that the V6 has a lighter and more playful feeling. The SS 1LE feels serious and heavy by comparison. It is easier to play with the V6 on the street; you can frequently floor it, whereas I felt the SS is so fast, there isn't as much opportunity to romp on it. The SS has an awesome sound, but the high-revving V6 with the NPP exhaust sounds great, and I've received a bunch of compliments about it.


I am not a serious competitor in this car, I just like to get out and run it when I can at various autocross and track events. It is very quick for the price that it is.


I enjoy autocrossing with the Porsche club and in the SCCA CAM-C class which gets a good # of entrants at local events. It's competitive with Boxsters and Caymans at Porsche club, and gets handily beat by modified V8 Camaros in CAM-C, but it is fun to run with them - like a terrier mixing it up with retrievers the dog park. At track days (with my moderate skills) it seems to run competitively with stuff like M2, Mustang GT, and the well-prepped Miatas and GRs with better drivers.


The V6 has modest consumable costs. Tires and brake pads last well, and I once ran a whole track day on one full tank of gas. The engine is rated for 87, but I put 91 in it.


My mods are 18x10 square Apex wheels and Vorshlag camber plates. I've run a variety of tires and sizes: 265 and 275/40/18, 275/35/18, and 285/30/18. The short tire really aids acceleration but lowers the car more than I like for street use. The 18" conversion drops over 10# per corner versus the 20" OEM runflat setup. You can immediately feel it.


Having ridden at autocrosses in both of the V8 1LEs, the SS and ZL1, my opinion is that the biggest advantage of the V8s is not the power, but the eLSD. You would be surprised how easily the V6 will spin a tire at autocross; I was amazed at how the V8s put power down more easily with the eLSD in spite of having so much torque. On big tracks, no surprise, the hp advantage of the V8s is a bigger deal than the better differential.

[Goingnowherefast]

I figured I should comment here. Like most mentioned, the main problem with these is they sold terribly and for good reason. If I remember correctly, a decently equipped V6 1LE (1LT/2LT/3LT) came within $5,000 of a 1SS when new which makes it a tough sell. Now, in the USED market that is a vastly different story. I've seen low mileage V6 1LE's for as low as $15,000 with Recaros. Most are within the $15,000-$25,000 range which makes it a much more appealing purchase vs. the SS 1LE if money is a factor. Hell, a clean NC3 Miata can go for $15K these days, and tons of the "normal suspects" for track use need lots of work to track reliably. For the V6 1LE, you just take it to the track and rip it all day.

BRZ/FRS/GR86 - Needs Oil Cooler/Pads/Fluid
S2000 - Rotors Crack, Needs Pads/Fluid, Rollbar depending on Org
Miata - Extremely weak wheel hubs, needs rollbar depending on Org
370Z - Oil Galley Issues, Needs Oil Cooler/Pads/Fluid

I've got somewhat an interesting story about my V6 1LE experience so far. My decision to go V6 1LE vs. SS 1LE/ZLE wasn't based on money, but to bring a car into the lime-light that I consider extremely under-rated. I actually sold a CT4-V Blackwing for it. I'll be competing in SCCA TTT3 and Gridlife Street, in which the former it is EXTREMELY OP compared to the competition. I'll make a thread about it eventually and we'll have a lot of videos coming out on my Brother's channel, but I fully expect to place very well this season. There's some cool mods you can do to change the character of the V6 1LE too. With a tune, you can rev to 7,600 rpm and you can actually direct swap the 3.73:1 mLSD from certain optioned base SS cars (you need to make sure you get the one with a cooler). So you've got a pretty high revving, short geared Camaro - which is kind of the antithesis of an SS 1LE. Oh and the ability to fit 19x11's w/ 305 squared and run $215 pads (same HP1000 compound as the SS 1LE) all around is nice.

Initial "before modding" data, Waterford Hills (MI):

CT4-V Blackwing - Stock, PS4S, 6MT, Track Alignment - 1:18.73
CT4-V Blackwing - 255/275 P1's, JB4 (93 Octane), Track Alignment - 1:16.83
Camaro V6 1LE - Stock, 255/275 P1's, 6MT, Track Alignment - 1:19.87