SS 1LE 2 ZL1 1LE?

kayla72911 · 03-22-2021, 09:12 PM

I currently have a naturally aspirated SS 1LE making around 490whp and 480wtrq
I am considering switching from this to a ZL1 1LE.
Has anyone here made the switch? If so, any advice or thoughts?
Would be my DD
I don't care about ride comfort
Won't see much track time, but lots of mountains and canyons
Plenty of room to open her up where I live

That1guy_tim · 03-23-2021, 05:40 AM

I wouldn't buy a car built for the track if it isn't going to see any track time. Throw a cam and some heads on your car and call it a day.

VR Baron · 03-23-2021, 11:08 AM

Power is intoxicating. But just for the street? Waste of money. I had a modded fifth gen with 430 rwhp and 3.91 gears. It was fast and could be hardly used for the street. My 2021 ss 1le feels even stronger. Like a race horse wanting to get going. I feel this car is hardly useable let alone a zl1. 650 hp though fun, is useless, at some point you may ask” why did I do this?”

JSH · 03-23-2021, 11:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayla72911

I currently have a naturally aspirated SS 1LE making around 490whp and 480wtrq
I am considering switching from this to a ZL1 1LE.
Has anyone here made the switch? If so, any advice or thoughts?
Would be my DD
I don't care about ride comfort
Won't see much track time, but lots of mountains and canyons
Plenty of room to open her up where I live

When you say "switching" do you mean literally trying to convert your SS to a 1LE?!

1. I've never heard of anyone trying this and I'm not sure it's possible. The short block is probably one of the few common engine parts and the suspension and body are different.

2. If you want an 1LE, just buy one.

3. If you want an SS that you can add power to in the future, do a custom valve train, headers, and hi-flow cats.

pbsinternet1le · 03-23-2021, 12:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VR Baron

Power is intoxicating. But just for the street? Waste of money. I had a modded fifth gen with 430 rwhp and 3.91 gears. It was fast and could be hardly used for the street. My 2021 ss 1le feels even stronger. Like a race horse wanting to get going. I feel this car is hardly useable let alone a zl1. 650 hp though fun, is useless, at some point you may ask” why did I do this?”

595rwhp na here and is is certainly not useless..great fun on street and track..

VR Baron · 03-23-2021, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pbsinternet1le

595rwhp na here and is is certainly not useless..great fun on street and track..

Track yes. On the street? Not here in kali that’s for sure.

kayla72911 · 03-23-2021, 04:57 PM

Probably should have stated that I live in the desert.
So there are only 3 months where the average high is below 80. I've never had even the slightest annoyance when it comes to traction with 490whp once I changed to the BMR arms. Some slip if I go full gas in 1st above 10mph, but that is expected. I know the ZLE has a bigger traction problem, but just wanted to put that out there.
Alot of reviews say the tires on the ZLE are amazing. If you switch to a "DD friendly tire" is it a pretty big difference in terms of performance?

R3ctivision · 03-24-2021, 01:39 AM

Don't do it for your use case. Coming from someone who has owned both SS 1LE and ZLE.

That1guy_tim · 03-24-2021, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kayla72911

Probably should have stated that I live in the desert.
So there are only 3 months where the average high is below 80. I've never had even the slightest annoyance when it comes to traction with 490whp once I changed to the BMR arms. Some slip if I go full gas in 1st above 10mph, but that is expected. I know the ZLE has a bigger traction problem, but just wanted to put that out there.
Alot of reviews say the tires on the ZLE are amazing. If you switch to a "DD friendly tire" is it a pretty big difference in terms of performance?

Can you let us know what your car / driving experience is? Have you done any track days? How many? What run groups did you run with? Have you pushed your 1le to the handling / braking limit?

The ZLE tires are amazing on a race track. you will loose a lot of grip performance by going down to a more "DD" friendly tire.

nancygrl · 03-24-2021, 07:24 AM

Had a '17 ZL1 and prefer my 1LE. While the ZL1 isn't as track focused as the ZLE, but it was a big waste of $ for a DD. I wouldn't do it.

Paulie-G · 03-24-2021, 08:29 AM

Camaros aren't practical cars in general.

If you like it on a test drive and have the money for maintenance and insurance, go for it.

If you wanted a practical car you'd be on some Korean s**t box forum, asking if anyone else has had a engine replaced...

weemus · 03-24-2021, 07:13 PM

If you are serious, truly serious take a ZLE out for a daily cruise. No trashing it but to test it out. I think you will find the harsh ride is not DD friendly.

Now if it’s just a track toy and you have the $, then I’m not sure what your waiting for...

03-22-2021, 09:12 PM	#1
kayla72911 Account Suspended Drives: 2021 ZLE Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: California Posts: 49	SS 1LE 2 ZL1 1LE? I currently have a naturally aspirated SS 1LE making around 490whp and 480wtrq I am considering switching from this to a ZL1 1LE. Has anyone here made the switch? If so, any advice or thoughts? Would be my DD I don't care about ride comfort Won't see much track time, but lots of mountains and canyons Plenty of room to open her up where I live

03-23-2021, 05:40 AM	#2
That1guy_tim Drives: Camaro 1ss Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 495	I wouldn't buy a car built for the track if it isn't going to see any track time. Throw a cam and some heads on your car and call it a day. __________________ Follow me on IG for build thread! https://www.instagram.com/tracked_1ss/ YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Tracked_1ss FortuneAuto Coilovers! https://shop-fortune-auto.com/produc...ries-coilovers

03-24-2021, 01:39 AM	#8
R3ctivision 1LE Convert Drives: 2018 ZLE Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 367	Don't do it for your use case. Coming from someone who has owned both SS 1LE and ZLE. __________________ 2018 Camaro ZL1 1LE (Red Hot) 2002 BMW Spec E46 race car (Lizard Green) Previous cars: - 2018 Miata RF GT (Machine Gray/Auburn) - 2017 Camaro 1SS 1LE (Summit White) - 2008 BMW 135i (Montego Blue) - 1996 BMW 328i (Arctic Silver)

03-23-2021, 11:08 AM	#3
VR Baron SoCal Camaro5 Race Team Drives: 2021 Shadow Grey Camaro 2SS 1LE Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: SO CAL Posts: 14,288	Power is intoxicating. But just for the street? Waste of money. I had a modded fifth gen with 430 rwhp and 3.91 gears. It was fast and could be hardly used for the street. My 2021 ss 1le feels even stronger. Like a race horse wanting to get going. I feel this car is hardly useable let alone a zl1. 650 hp though fun, is useless, at some point you may ask” why did I do this?”

03-23-2021, 04:57 PM	#7
kayla72911 Account Suspended Drives: 2021 ZLE Join Date: Mar 2021 Location: California Posts: 49	Probably should have stated that I live in the desert. So there are only 3 months where the average high is below 80. I've never had even the slightest annoyance when it comes to traction with 490whp once I changed to the BMR arms. Some slip if I go full gas in 1st above 10mph, but that is expected. I know the ZLE has a bigger traction problem, but just wanted to put that out there. Alot of reviews say the tires on the ZLE are amazing. If you switch to a "DD friendly tire" is it a pretty big difference in terms of performance?

03-24-2021, 07:24 AM	#10
nancygrl 雪の玉 Drives: '22 Z71 RST Silverado Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: South Posts: 3,415	Had a '17 ZL1 and prefer my 1LE. While the ZL1 isn't as track focused as the ZLE, but it was a big waste of $ for a DD. I wouldn't do it.

03-24-2021, 08:29 AM	#11
Paulie-G Drives: 2SS 1LE & ZR2 Join Date: May 2019 Location: San Diego mountains Posts: 109 View My Garage	Camaros aren't practical cars in general. If you like it on a test drive and have the money for maintenance and insurance, go for it. If you wanted a practical car you'd be on some Korean s**t box forum, asking if anyone else has had a engine replaced...

03-24-2021, 07:13 PM	#12
weemus Drives: 2017 1SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2019 Location: Charlotte, NC Posts: 167 View My Garage	If you are serious, truly serious take a ZLE out for a daily cruise. No trashing it but to test it out. I think you will find the harsh ride is not DD friendly. Now if it’s just a track toy and you have the $, then I’m not sure what your waiting for...

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