ZL1 or ZL1 1LE real world street/track comparison

COPO 9560 · 01-13-2019, 10:27 PM

I am looking to purchase a 2019 Camaro ZL1.

I have mix feeling on what I need and want. I am aware the base ZL1 is a very street-able and a good every day driver. Its also very good on a road course as well. This ZL1 will be a weekend pleasure vehicle with some track time, but mostly a car driven on the back roads.

The ZL1 1LE seems to be a track beast, shaming exotic elites that cost 2-3 times more. Love the wheels and wrapped hood.

How street-able is the ZL1 1LE? Is it a very harsh ride? Does ride height become a major issue coming in and out of driveways?

What are the pro and cons of both trims? (ZL1 base vs ZL1 1LE)

Is it possible to get the 19 inch ZL1 1LE wheels for the ZL1 base model?

How about switching out the base ZL1 spoiler with the SS 1LE black out spoiler? Is that an easy task? Do the bolts match up? The back up camera compatible?

Any input is welcomed......J

~Jb · 01-14-2019, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by COPO 9560

I am looking to purchase a 2019 Camaro ZL1.

I have mix feeling on what I need and want. I am aware the base ZL1 is a very street-able and a good every day driver. Its also very good on a road course as well. This ZL1 will be a weekend pleasure vehicle with some track time, but mostly a car driven on the back roads.

The ZL1 1LE seems to be a track beast, shaming exotic elites that cost 2-3 times more. Love the wheels and wrapped hood.

How street-able is the ZL1 1LE? Is it a very harsh ride? Does ride height become a major issue coming in and out of driveways?

What are the pro and cons of both trims? (ZL1 base vs ZL1 1LE)

Is it possible to get the 19 inch ZL1 1LE wheels for the ZL1 base model?

How about switching out the base ZL1 spoiler with the SS 1LE black out spoiler? Is that an easy task? Do the bolts match up? The back up camera compatible?

Any input is welcomed......J

Is the ZLE street-able? Yes!
Is the ZLE harsh? Absolutely!
Is the ZLE ride height a major issue? Yep!

Pro: ZL1
Pro: ZLE
Con: Not driving both personally before making a decision.

Anything is possible.

ZL1 guys will say it's the best, the ZLE guys will say it's the best. Bottom line, buy what you like and what you can afford, then go hoon responsibly.

Vtor_ZL1 · 01-14-2019, 06:27 AM

Buy what you want.

'18 ZLE - 7500+ miles to date

Just don't daily on stock bricks.. i mean tires.

*mlee* · 01-14-2019, 07:17 AM

I've had both and if you have any intentions of driving leisure back roads with the ZLE... forget it. It's a track beast period.

Infotainment 3 is awesome but hard to hit the buttons bouncing around in the ZLE and drinking coffee with a lid on is very difficult.

Ride height can be adjusted on the ZLE so really no difference there.

Spoiler and hood wrap is an easy add. Bolts right up.

Aftermarket ZLE wheels are available for the regular Z

Shanekennett · 01-14-2019, 07:46 AM

it is not a smooth ride... but it is not meant to be

Stephen12ZL1 · 01-14-2019, 08:39 AM

ZL1 standard rides better as the ZLE is a track monster. The difference on track is a few seconds at VIR. Test drive them both and see what makes sense. I am nearing 50 so my decision was an easy one.

Markoz28 · 01-14-2019, 09:06 AM

ZLE has a 1” width per tire more than the ZL1. I imagine if you were to change that alone on the zl1 that it would be much closer to the zle in track times. Also the A10 is awesome!

Grumpy1 · 01-14-2019, 10:05 AM

I think your main focus should be on the suspension and you know what each represents already. If you can't live with the harsher ride of the ZLE everything else is a mute point, unless you plan on tracking the car. You need to get in each and see which is right for you.
When I test drove my ZL1 I realized right away that the 1LE would not be for me especially since I had no intention of bringing the car to the track.
However, I did and still do like the appearance of the 1LE package.
Of course wing, rims, etc can be added to a non 1LE, but if you buy OEM parts they will be way more expensive after the fact than adding the 1LE package.
I want the wing but refuse to pay the $4500 to $5000 asking price.
Tough decision indeed, just need to follow your gut. Whatever you decide your still getting one hell of a car.
Good luck

MikeEM1 · 01-14-2019, 10:19 AM

If you don't know what you want, then the answer is most likely ZL1. Like you said, 1LE is a track beast. The ZL1 will fit your wants/needs better.

I 100% knew I wanted the ZLE as it's main focus would be tracking. Didn't think about daily drivability, canyons, etc. The car is meant to be on road courses.

*mlee* · 01-14-2019, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZLBlue

I believe from other threads that go into fitting ZL1 1LE rims sizes on a normal ZL1, the front struts would be hitting real close to the inner rim. If you're on street alignment then it should fit (but still very close to rubbing), so anything more aggressive would need a trim on the front strut bars or use a 3m to 5mm spacer.

This week I should be receiving ZL1 1LE wheels to see how it goes.

Which is why I mentioned aftermarket ones that are aimed at the SS and an inch narrower.

BoostinFD · 01-14-2019, 11:48 AM

I'm not intending to track the 1LE, but I'm going to go that route. I test drove it, and I can live with it. I just love everything about it... and coming from a 350R, this should only be better... my opinion only

Exorcised · 01-14-2019, 12:26 PM

When I had the choice between the two recently I went with the 1LE. It had everything I normally install aftermarket, so it was a easy choice. I daily mine to work each day and the ride does not bother me, but I am used to driving cars that are highly sprung. If you are looking for a chushy ride than the 1LE is not a good choice. As someone mentioned the only thing that does get a little painful is trying to do a task while driving that requires a steady hand... It does make it almost impossible to txt and drive.

GuywithL86 · 01-14-2019, 06:27 PM

Imo - exploring the limits is what makes a car fun. The limits are too high on the 1le for the street. All you will be thinking is, man taking that corner at 70mph was pretty uneventful, I wish I could open this thing up at a track.

Not that you won’t be thinking that in the regular zl1, it’ll just be worse in the 1le.

TRZ06 · 01-14-2019, 06:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GuywithL86

Imo - exploring the limits is what makes a car fun. The limits are too high on the 1le for the street. All you will be thinking is, man taking that corner at 70mph was pretty uneventful, I wish I could open this thing up at a track.

Not that you won’t be thinking that in the regular zl1, it’ll just be worse in the 1le.

That is what on/off ramps are for

Nothing like pulling 1.2G's on the on/off ramp corners

01-13-2019, 10:27 PM	#1
COPO 9560 Drives: rolling thunder Join Date: Jan 2019 Location: Northern California Posts: 8	ZL1 or ZL1 1LE real world street/track comparison I am looking to purchase a 2019 Camaro ZL1. I have mix feeling on what I need and want. I am aware the base ZL1 is a very street-able and a good every day driver. Its also very good on a road course as well. This ZL1 will be a weekend pleasure vehicle with some track time, but mostly a car driven on the back roads. The ZL1 1LE seems to be a track beast, shaming exotic elites that cost 2-3 times more. Love the wheels and wrapped hood. How street-able is the ZL1 1LE? Is it a very harsh ride? Does ride height become a major issue coming in and out of driveways? What are the pro and cons of both trims? (ZL1 base vs ZL1 1LE) Is it possible to get the 19 inch ZL1 1LE wheels for the ZL1 base model? How about switching out the base ZL1 spoiler with the SS 1LE black out spoiler? Is that an easy task? Do the bolts match up? The back up camera compatible? Any input is welcomed......J

01-14-2019, 06:27 AM	#3
Vtor_ZL1 Who Needs to KNOW? Drives: 18 ZLE Join Date: May 2018 Location: Left Side of the Moon Posts: 1,770	Buy what you want. '18 ZLE - 7500+ miles to date Just don't daily on stock bricks.. i mean tires. __________________ ing for grip. Are you in the NY/NJ/PA/CT region? Join us for autox fun at MetLife Stadium. HUGE lots, tons of runs. http://www.motorsportsne.com/

01-14-2019, 07:17 AM	#4
mlee CamaroFans.com Drives: ZLE & ZR2 Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Conroe, TX Posts: 37,486 View My Garage	I've had both and if you have any intentions of driving leisure back roads with the ZLE... forget it. It's a track beast period. Infotainment 3 is awesome but hard to hit the buttons bouncing around in the ZLE and drinking coffee with a lid on is very difficult. Ride height can be adjusted on the ZLE so really no difference there. Spoiler and hood wrap is an easy add. Bolts right up. Aftermarket ZLE wheels are available for the regular Z __________________

01-14-2019, 07:46 AM	#5
Shanekennett Drives: 2022 Rivian R1T Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Golden, CO Posts: 103 View My Garage	it is not a smooth ride... but it is not meant to be __________________ Hunting for another ZL1 1LE Stohr F1000 - formula car fun 2022 R1T 2015 Macan Turbo Gone-2017 991.2 Turbo S Gone-2018 Raptor, tuned, leveled, tires/wheels Gone-2019 Camaro ZL1 1LE...track toy... Gone-2010 Camaro SS, built NA monster...

01-14-2019, 08:39 AM	#6
Stephen12ZL1 Drives: '21 ZLE A10 Join Date: May 2012 Location: Mechanicsville, VA Posts: 6,808	ZL1 standard rides better as the ZLE is a track monster. The difference on track is a few seconds at VIR. Test drive them both and see what makes sense. I am nearing 50 so my decision was an easy one. __________________ '21 ZLE A10 Wild Cherry PDR 2:00.78 VIR Full 10.68@131.69 1.68 60' '17 ZL1 A10 Mosaic Black PDR/Nav 2:03.08 VIR Full 11.003@129.2 1.75 (sold) '15 Z/28 #325 Black a/c & stereo. 2:10.1 VIR Full (sold) '12 ZL1 A6 Black 10.52@131 1.55 60' 2:13 VIR Full (sold)

01-14-2019, 09:06 AM	#7
Markoz28 Drives: 18 ZL1 nightfall grey A10 Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: RGV Texas Posts: 1,527	ZLE has a 1” width per tire more than the ZL1. I imagine if you were to change that alone on the zl1 that it would be much closer to the zle in track times. Also the A10 is awesome!

01-14-2019, 10:05 AM	#8
Grumpy1 Drives: 2018 ZL1 Hyper Blue A10 Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Covington LA Posts: 646	I think your main focus should be on the suspension and you know what each represents already. If you can't live with the harsher ride of the ZLE everything else is a mute point, unless you plan on tracking the car. You need to get in each and see which is right for you. When I test drove my ZL1 I realized right away that the 1LE would not be for me especially since I had no intention of bringing the car to the track. However, I did and still do like the appearance of the 1LE package. Of course wing, rims, etc can be added to a non 1LE, but if you buy OEM parts they will be way more expensive after the fact than adding the 1LE package. I want the wing but refuse to pay the $4500 to $5000 asking price. Tough decision indeed, just need to follow your gut. Whatever you decide your still getting one hell of a car. Good luck

01-14-2019, 10:19 AM	#9
MikeEM1 Drives: Tracks: 18' ZL1 1LE Join Date: Mar 2018 Location: Irvine, CA --> ATX Posts: 141	If you don't know what you want, then the answer is most likely ZL1. Like you said, 1LE is a track beast. The ZL1 will fit your wants/needs better. I 100% knew I wanted the ZLE as it's main focus would be tracking. Didn't think about daily drivability, canyons, etc. The car is meant to be on road courses. __________________ 18' ZL1 1LE Red Hot track toy Castrol SRF Ported TB/Rotofab dry intake AWE Track w/PLP APR GTC300 wing / Singular Endplates ASC Splitter / PA tunnels MFR Engineering Custom Diffuser Race Louvers Fender Vents APEX SM10 & ARC8 For sale: 2018 OEM ZL1 1LE Wing 12' Nissan GT-R SOLD

01-14-2019, 11:48 AM	#11
BoostinFD Drives: GT350R Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Earth Posts: 23	I'm not intending to track the 1LE, but I'm going to go that route. I test drove it, and I can live with it. I just love everything about it... and coming from a 350R, this should only be better... my opinion only __________________ 2017 R8 Supercharged 2018 Raptor 2019 1LE 2013 Audi RS5 Some others I had/have: 2010 Audi R8 v10 2002, 2004, 2009, 2013 BMW M3 2015 BMW M4 2004 Cobra Terminator 2002 Saleen Extreme 1994 Rx7 1988 Rx7

01-14-2019, 12:26 PM	#12
Exorcised Drives: 2019 black ZL1 1LE Join Date: Nov 2018 Location: Florida Posts: 20	When I had the choice between the two recently I went with the 1LE. It had everything I normally install aftermarket, so it was a easy choice. I daily mine to work each day and the ride does not bother me, but I am used to driving cars that are highly sprung. If you are looking for a chushy ride than the 1LE is not a good choice. As someone mentioned the only thing that does get a little painful is trying to do a task while driving that requires a steady hand... It does make it almost impossible to txt and drive.

01-14-2019, 06:27 PM	#13
GuywithL86 Drives: Black Join Date: Jan 2017 Location: Nj Posts: 440	Imo - exploring the limits is what makes a car fun. The limits are too high on the 1le for the street. All you will be thinking is, man taking that corner at 70mph was pretty uneventful, I wish I could open this thing up at a track. Not that you won’t be thinking that in the regular zl1, it’ll just be worse in the 1le.

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