[kropscamaro16]

Originally Posted by MightyBobo

I've driven my fair share of faster cars, and man, unless you're virtually a pro, it's like bringing a sledgehammer to pound some nails in. I actually found I preferred the SS 1LE over the ZL1 for normal driving, and I'm sure as hell not buying a 75K+ car for the track only. I'll get a Miata for that, or something...

haha miata is always the answer for some people but i prefer v8

[MightyBobo]

Originally Posted by kropscamaro16

haha miata is always the answer for some people but i prefer v8

Yup, no shame there of course.

[democidist]

You've all been a great help, thank you for the replies!

Originally Posted by DaveC113

Mag ride is a compromise on spring vs shock rates in order to offer adjustability, in track there's not enough spring and too much damper to be ideal, this is why some end up getting rid of mag ride.

Can you elaborate on what you mean by, "there's not enough spring and too much damper to be ideal"? Is it similar to the feeling of bottoming out shocks or something?

[JSH]

I road course and drag occasionally, and drive the car on the street at >40F. My Kooks AB is a bit rumbly, but I've always considered the 1LE to be a decent street car. Any visibility issues quickly are forgotten after a few weeks driving.

[cowpunk]

I think you could buy the non MRC 1SS OE or Bilstein struts, strut mounts & shocks with a set of aftermarket 1" drop springs and have a pretty comfy daily. Then for track days put the DSSV stuff back on. Find a good alignment guy!!!

I have a 2019 ZLE M6, but I daily in my Tahoe.

[TexasChile]

Originally Posted by kropscamaro16

haha miata is always the answer for some people but i prefer v8

I tried to fit in a Miata a few months ago at a dealer when I was looking for a sports car. When I left the dealer, I told the dealer that I knew that the dealership had security cameras and all that I ask is that they do not put any videos on youtube of me trying to get in that car. He laughed and shook his head and asked "what were you thinking" trying to get in that car?

[5.M0NSTER]

I personally find Mag ride pretty frikkin awesome. It softest setting I think it's juuuuust about soft enough. In it's sportiest settings the car stays very flat in the curves, while still not being upset by track curbing or bumps. I think it's as close to perfect balance between street comport and track performance as you can have in a dual purpose car. My SS 1LE is about 2-3s faster at every track I go to than my heavily built Mustang was. In retrospect I see that I was moding the Mustang to feel and perform like the SS 1LE does from the get go.

1LE is a fantastic package straight from the box. The extra cooling it contains alone, is worth it in my opinion. Then you get the other goodies on top.

But the right question has already been asked: How will you use this car?

[cowpunk]

Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER

I personally find Mag ride pretty frikkin awesome. It softest setting I think it's juuuuust about soft enough. In it's sportiest settings the car stays very flat in the curves, while still not being upset by track curbing or bumps. I think it's as close to perfect balance between street comport and track performance as you can have in a dual purpose car. My SS 1LE is about 2-3s faster at every track I go to than my heavily built Mustang was. In retrospect I see that I was moding the Mustang to feel and perform like the SS 1LE does from the get go.

1LE is a fantastic package straight from the box. The extra cooling it contains alone, is worth it in my opinion. Then you get the other goodies on top.

But the right question has already been asked: How will you use this car?

I will not lie - I miss my 2SS 1LE MRC Tour mode with NPP fuse pulled!!!

[6spdhyperblue]

Originally Posted by 5.M0NSTER

I personally find Mag ride pretty frikkin awesome. It softest setting I think it's juuuuust about soft enough. In it's sportiest settings the car stays very flat in the curves, while still not being upset by track curbing or bumps. I think it's as close to perfect balance between street comport and track performance as you can have in a dual purpose car. My SS 1LE is about 2-3s faster at every track I go to than my heavily built Mustang was. In retrospect I see that I was moding the Mustang to feel and perform like the SS 1LE does from the get go.

1LE is a fantastic package straight from the box. The extra cooling it contains alone, is worth it in my opinion. Then you get the other goodies on top.

But the right question has already been asked: How will you use this car?

I like what you’re saying with everything but the 1LE does not provide any additional cooling…

The wording can be misleading especially in motortrends 1le video.
For example, on the trucks the High Country says Leather seats, that does not imply a premier does not have leather seats. I think that’s how they were going about it.

[N Camarolina]

Originally Posted by democidist

So, I've had a pre-owned 2017 Camaro 1SS for a while. I was thinking about trading it in for either a ZL1 or ZL1 1LE for the final model year (a ways out, I know, but it'll give me time to save up). I take care of my things, and so it would be nice to get a mileage reset as well as not have any quirks off the bat from a previous owner. I do autocross and increasingly track days. It seems like most of what the 1LE package includes is available as optional upgrades, or at the very least, has aftermarket alternative options. The one exception being the magride shocks, for which there is aftermarket support to remove. So my question is, "Is it better from a handling performance perspective to get the ZL1 1LE or a ZL1 and upgrade the suspension and other components? Is a traditional suspension going to outperform the magride setup?" Thanks!

Ask yourself:

1) Do I need the car as a daily driver or want to drive it on public roads?
- If Yes, then you'll be better off with a ZL1, or SS 1LE

2) Do I really need 650 HP?
- I would suggest that unless you plan to run tracks with LONG staights, you really can't take advantage of 650HP and would be just as well off with the 460HP from the LT1
- I decided that even though I do tracks with long straights, I could live with the 460 HP from LT1. The fun is in the curves. Speed in the straights is relative (I'm still hitting 140+)

3) Do I want to pay for the increased consumables (brakes and gas) that come with the ZL1 level HP over the SS?

The ZLE no doubt will handle the best, but comes with several compromises (see #1 and #3) relative to an SS 1LE. I think the SS 1LE is the sweet spot for handling, speed, and practicality (for a Camaro)!

[NorthGeorgia]

After 6,000 track miles and lots of weekend wineries - my wife had this made.
Love the car and love it on the street but it does not compare to a mag ride equipped car.

[bef18ZL1]

Just put deposit on used ZLE and this thread making me second guess my choice lol. I thought this would be better for resale, but guess no one will want it :(

[MightyBobo]

Originally Posted by bef18ZL1

Just put deposit on used ZLE and this thread making me second guess my choice lol. I thought this would be better for resale, but guess no one will want it :(

I wouldn't say that. SOMEONE will want it.

[SOCAL.M6.ZLE]

Originally Posted by N Camarolina

Ask yourself:

1) Do I need the car as a daily driver or want to drive it on public roads?
- If Yes, then you'll be better off with a ZL1, or SS 1LE

2) Do I really need 650 HP?
- I would suggest that unless you plan to run tracks with LONG staights, you really can't take advantage of 650HP and would be just as well off with the 460HP from the LT1
- I decided that even though I do tracks with long straights, I could live with the 460 HP from LT1. The fun is in the curves. Speed in the straights is relative (I'm still hitting 140+)

3) Do I want to pay for the increased consumables (brakes and gas) that come with the ZL1 level HP over the SS?

The ZLE no doubt will handle the best, but comes with several compromises (see #1 and #3) relative to an SS 1LE. I think the SS 1LE is the sweet spot for handling, speed, and practicality (for a Camaro)!

Good thoughts, but i have some feedback and my perspective to answer your questions...


1. I would not use my ZLE as a DD... for the following reasons...

a) dont want to put to much wear and tear
b) not the best in traffic
c) harder to get in and out of than my truck
d) not enough space for my tools


2. I find the HP argument to be the weakest... Is 650 HP too much? not at all... in fact, i think the car feels slow with only 650 hp... im around 750 now, and i think this is how it should have come from the factory... I can only imagine 850-1000 might start to feel like too much... i'll let you know after my cam and ported blower



3. Not a bad point here... I know the tires will wear fast, and mine is currently averaging 10mpg running E50. So i agree... if you cant afford the cost to drive it / maintain it... then maybe stick with the SS.


Good topic. I wish I would have had more time with the regular ZL1 i test drove, but i dont regret the ZLE and would never go back.


Only interested in making this one better