01-04-2021, 01:40 AM | #1 |
Drives: 2019 Camaro SS Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: Pennsylvania
Posts: 208
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1LE vs. 1SS handling - Is the difference that much?
I'm looking to get rid of my Mustang here soon and pick up a Camaro but I'm having trouble deciding which trim to get. The car will most likely never see a track or drag strip, but there are a couple very tight and twisty backroads that I like to carve on the weekends. And of course the occasional highway roll.
In my area I'm seeing used 1LE's going in the high $39k range (which I find ridiculous but I digress), while I've found a couple 1SS trims around $32k. 2SS is somewhere in the middle but I don't really need the creature comforts and I'd like to keep the weight down. So my question is, is the handling on the 1LE that much different compared to the 1SS that it justifies an extra $6k - $7k in the used market? If I bought a 1SS, got wider wheels, and did springs, bushings, and sway bar with the money I saved will the handling be better/comparable? Or should I just suck it up and get the 1LE? |
01-04-2021, 01:55 AM | #2 |
Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: Front Range, CO
Posts: 1,865
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1LE has so many upgrades it's worth it imo. The car's ABS and stability systems are calibrated to the larger wheel/tire size, you have PTM track modes and an e-diff, these are things you can't upgrade on a non 1LE car.
Pricing is too high used, I'd go new.
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01-04-2021, 02:52 AM | #3 |
Drives: 2019 Camaro 1LE Shock Candy Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: Garage
Posts: 1,757
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I went from a 2016 SS to a 2019 1LE and it’s totally worth it. Very responsive and agile. The electronic limited-slip differential is noticeable on the track and you will notice the FE4 suspension on the 1LE. These two key components on a 1LE is something you can’t upgrade from an SS.
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103 Katech TB, KATECH Custom Heads, DSX In-line fuel TSP Headers, Spec P Super Twin Clutch, TSP EL C7 CAM Diamond Piston & Manley Rods, Roto Fab Big Gulp BTR Push Rods,LS7 Lifters, ARP, FI Chiller, Kirkey Seats SJM Line Lock, Hurst Pistol Grip. 747/739 RWHP street tune - 821/794 RWHP track tune 101 octane. 2014 Mini Cooper countryman S All4 M6 daily driver Last edited by BlackbeastSS2; 01-04-2021 at 07:08 AM. |
01-04-2021, 03:35 AM | #4 |
Drives: 2017 2SS M6 Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: WNY
Posts: 7,070
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if your going to mod a 1SS then get the 1LE. I modded a 2SS because you couldnt get a 2SS 1LE until 2 days after i bought it. I have more money into making it almost like a 1LE and it can never be a 1LE then just buying one. and i did all the labor myself. Matter of fact everything in my sig cost more then buying a new ZL1 and i do all my own labor. The tunes the only thing i had someone else do.
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real ZL1 wheels and brakes, 285/305 Michelin Pilot Super Sports, Pray ported Intake manifold, Soler Throttle Body, Rotofab intake, EFI Tuning Flex fuel kit, full American Racing Headers Exhaust, 1 7/8" w/ cats H pipe and mufflers. Full 1LE suspension, with BMR adjustable sway bars and links, GM aluminum cradle bushings, Hurst shifter with lighter reverse spring, TWM shifter knob, Tick level 1 transmission. I should have bought a ZL1
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01-04-2021, 06:24 AM | #5 | |
Drives: Hyper Blue 2016 2SS 6M Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: North Ga
Posts: 1,787
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Quote:
I couldn't have said it better, JCunningham. Look up Should have bought a ZL1 in the dictionary and you'll find my picture! That being said, I have enjoyed the process and I expect that you have too. OP, check out the GM Suspension Kits on Camaro SS thread in the Ask the Camaro Team section. They incrementally add 1LE wheels/tires, lowering and handling kits to a standard SS and compared lap times with a factory 1LE. While everything JCunningham says is spot on, deciding what to buy really depends on how you're planning to use the car. If you won't be doing a lot of tracking, the extra $$ to upgrade from a 1SS to a 1LE may be better spent on upgrading to a 2SS. Some of the comfort and convenience features, especially the blind spot monitoring are really nice.
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2016 Hyper Blue 2SS/6m/MRC/NPP/Silver Rally stripes/ZL1 wheels & brakes/GForce DS and axles/ZLE Cradle Bushings/FE4 ARB front & rear/SEMA Grill/Rotofab dry/95mm TB/Magnuson 2300/Full LT4 fuel system/JMS boost-a-pump/E85 Sensor/Ported CID heads from LME/Cammotion PD cam/Thompson Motorsports forged shortblock/catted Kooks 1 7/8 headers /JRE remote tuned |
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01-04-2021, 06:28 AM | #6 |
Drives: 2019 Chevrolet Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Nov 2016
Location: Arizona
Posts: 596
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Is the 1LE handling package worth the additional cost? Yes. However, if I had to do it over again, I'm not sure I would upgrade from my former 2018 SS to my current 2019 SS 1LE. I love my 1LE but unless you are surrounded by stellar driving roads and/or you intend to track the vehicle, I would recommend purchasing a standard SS. The 1LE is a fantastic driving vehicle but the factory tires are ridiculously sticky, resulting in countless paint imperfections on the rear quarter panels (and, yes, I have PPF installed on my vehicle).
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01-04-2021, 06:43 AM | #7 |
Drives: 2017 Camaro ZL1 Coupe Join Date: May 2016
Location: Georgia
Posts: 5,813
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It depends if you are going to track the 1LE. That’s where it shines!
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01-04-2021, 07:07 AM | #8 |
Drives: 2015commemorative vert 2SS Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: northern Indiana
Posts: 948
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Exactly, if your going to go to the track or not. I had an 1LE and I liked it, but I never went to the track. So I think its a waste just for street use. Sure you can always spend more money on extra equipment, but in the end do you really need it?
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01-04-2021, 07:09 AM | #9 |
Drives: Hyper Blue 2016 2SS 6M Join Date: Sep 2017
Location: North Ga
Posts: 1,787
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Just re-read your post and noticed the reference to weight. The 1LE will be slightly heavier than either standard SS trim level due to the elsd and larger brakes. Also, if memory serves, the 2SS is around 30 lbs heavier than the 1SS.
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2016 Hyper Blue 2SS/6m/MRC/NPP/Silver Rally stripes/ZL1 wheels & brakes/GForce DS and axles/ZLE Cradle Bushings/FE4 ARB front & rear/SEMA Grill/Rotofab dry/95mm TB/Magnuson 2300/Full LT4 fuel system/JMS boost-a-pump/E85 Sensor/Ported CID heads from LME/Cammotion PD cam/Thompson Motorsports forged shortblock/catted Kooks 1 7/8 headers /JRE remote tuned |
01-04-2021, 07:11 AM | #10 |
Drives: women crazy Join Date: Aug 2020
Location: CA
Posts: 698
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Not even close to worth it to me. Never track my car, drive twisties, SS is a blast.
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01-04-2021, 07:41 AM | #11 |
Drives: 2023 ZL1 Vert M6 "Sharky" Join Date: Mar 2020
Location: Earth
Posts: 4,032
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Nothing screams bait thread more than
User name + coming from a Mustang + wants to race on public roads. |
01-04-2021, 07:42 AM | #12 |
Drives: 2021 2SS Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: Cleveland
Posts: 299
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I don't/won't be tracking my car, but the 2SS with MRC is already just so insane with it's capability around corners, twisty back roads and it's overall handling, I'd be hard pressed to pay more for the 1LE package unless you do track. It's super capable as-is for almost anything.
I personally wouldn't want the Suede material and Recaros anyway that come with the 1LE package, either. The brakes/suspension were the only upgrades I would be interested in. Debated about the 1LE suspension "upgrade" when ordering my 2SS, but decided against it. No regrets for me. |
01-04-2021, 07:42 AM | #13 |
Dumb Ass Deluxe
Drives: A Tricked Out Mountain Bike Join Date: Jun 2019
Location: Arizona
Posts: 1,959
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If you aren't going to the twistie track, the 1LE is a waste IMO. The 1SS, or even the LT1, is great for the street.
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01-04-2021, 08:18 AM | #14 |
Drives: 2018 1SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: NY
Posts: 395
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1le is a performance bargain. Best $7500 you can spend. Recaros,npp,ediff,mag ride,lt4 in tank pump,big brakes...... the list goes on.
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