[STReddy1999]

Randy Pobst has uploaded his track comparison of a 6th gen SS 1LE vs the S550 Mach 1 with the Handling Pack. The SS 1LE was on what appeared to be C7 ZR1 wheels (likely aftermarket replicas) with the same model and width tires as the stock Mach 1 HP.



Key Points:
-Mach 1 was a 10-speed auto, SS 1LE was a 6-speed manual
-Mach 1 was 0.4 seconds faster around Atlanta Motorsports Park
-SS 1LE felt wrong to Randy, brake fade and mid-corner oversteer he claims were not present in SS 1LEs he's driven previously

My takeaway is that IF there truly was some issue with the brakes and alignment like Randy claims, the SS 1LE would probably have won without those issues present. However, the Mach 1 won that day. Maybe next time the tables will turn, just gotta bring a properly setup stock SS 1LE to the party.

All that aside, the Mach 1 HP is still $12,650 more than a 1SS 1LE with a 6-speed. Is 0.4 seconds per lap worth $12,650?

[Blackmonba6Gen]

Great video. Yeah the .4 seconds is not that much coming from a vehicle that cost more than the Camaro. Who knows about the 1LE he was driving. The brake fluid could’ve been bad or needed to be changed, maybe the camber needed be adjust on it but who knows. Even Randy know the 1LE drives better than that. However the Mach 1 don’t look special to me. Maybe I need to research more into it but it just looks like a badge swap from a GT without any fascia changes which I dislike Ford for. 1LE is still a great bang for buck

[spireland]

Originally Posted by STReddy1999

Randy Pobst has uploaded his track comparison of a 6th gen SS 1LE vs the S550 Mach 1 with the Handling Pack. The SS 1LE was on what appeared to be C7 ZR1 wheels (likely aftermarket replicas) with the same model and width tires as the stock Mach 1 HP.



Key Points:
-Mach 1 was a 10-speed auto, SS 1LE was a 6-speed manual
-Mach 1 was 0.4 seconds faster around Atlanta Motorsports Park
-SS 1LE felt wrong to Randy, brake fade and mid-corner oversteer he claims were not present in SS 1LEs he's driven previously

My takeaway is that IF there truly was some issue with the brakes and alignment like Randy claims, the SS 1LE would probably have won without those issues present. However, the Mach 1 won that day. Maybe next time the tables will turn, just gotta bring a properly setup stock SS 1LE to the party.

All that aside, the Mach 1 HP is still $12,650 more than a 1SS 1LE with a 6-speed. Is 0.4 seconds per lap worth $12,650?

He did complain about some brake fade when he drove the SS1LE at Laguna Seca for Motor Trend a few years ago.

BUT...he is super sensitive to this stuff, my guess is that the car must have really been different than stock for him to have commented.

Really the crazy thing to me is how expensive Mach 1 is. Its almost Zl1 money for a car with a coyote.

[Wontspeak]

Atlanta Motorsports Park - Dawsonville, GA
1. 1:28.67 - jpdaugherty in '17 SS 1LE on 10/21/18, OE Goodyear's, track

[Spaceme1117]

I wonder if not using the stock 1LE tire sizes is why the car didn't feel quite right.

[Venomcustom]

Originally Posted by Spaceme1117

I wonder if not using the stock 1LE tire sizes is why the car didn't feel quite right.

I would’ve been nice to see a 100% factory stock 1LE vs the Mach.

[WhiteMale]

40K mile car, ya possibly without the OE pads on it, alignment quite possibly.

[JamesNoBrakes]

Originally Posted by Spaceme1117

I wonder if not using the stock 1LE tire sizes is why the car didn't feel quite right.

Going a little wider up front definitely gets you into oversteer-land pretty quickly.

The 20s on the stock 1LE hold it back for sure.

It was inevitable that they would make faster cars than the SS 1LE, but it sure took a while.

[VR Baron]

Originally Posted by JamesNoBrakes

Going a little wider up front definitely gets you into oversteer-land pretty quickly.

The 20s on the stock 1LE hold it back for sure.

It was inevitable that they would make faster cars than the SS 1LE, but it sure took a while.

Sounds right on the tires, or tire brand characteristics. Only 10mm less stagger vs stock but maybe just enough for more oversteer (?) heck with 305 sq I need the bigger hotchkiss front bar on to help with oversteer just in autocross

[kropscamaro16]

cup2s are meh stock goodyears 3s are better lol

[DaveC113]

SLE's braking feel can be greatly improved by switching out lines and fluid. I'm running the cf braided lines offered here + brembo fluid, this results in a much firmer and more immediate feel, fluid can handle higher temps vs OEM.

IMO, the SLE needs better brake fluid, but otoh they can't use an OEM fluid that may go bad too quickly. The better brake fluids require more frequent changing and cost a lot more.

[serper3]

Not really a fair comparison with the 40k miles on the ss 1le, mystery allignment, pads, manual vs auto, etc. but what can you do. .4 seconds is basically nothing - regular drivers in these it is a drivers race.

since the mach 1 came out later, I would imagine they benchmark it against a ss 1le pretty heavily? I can't imagine ford being okay selling this car and it being slower than a ss 1le thats been out for several years already, but sounds like that may be the case.

I think the mach 1 is kind of a cool car. basically a gt350 without the voodoo that has had a bad rep for reliability. then again, the gt350 is as popular as it is because of the voodoo. I think I would have considered the mach 1 much more if it was priced a lot better. this car is just not special enough i think for how expensive it is.

[m6-lt1]

I bet this camaro was a victim of the prior owner not feeling like cleaning brake dust all the time which makes sense given the miles. Most likely did not have the oe pads and had something way less aggressive.

[Redlinez]

Sucks he couldn't get a brand new or properly maintained 1LE with factory correct wheels and tires as well. Next.......