MoE @ NJMP Thunderbolt Advanced Group Full 6th Session 11/7/2022 Stock Camaro SS 1LE on stock tires running behind a Slightly modded SS 8sp Auto Slightly modded ZL1 1LE on slicks
I think this video is a true testament to just how good the Alpha platform really is. The 1LE without question is a great bang for the buck investment. That said IMO the true star of this video is the Camaro SS. Its often overlooked in favor of the 1LE but a standard Camaro SS with the right mods can be one hell of a car as well.
@selfmadejay01 his main subject was the platform in and of itself in general. The 1LE was just mentioned price wise for how good it handles for the money compared to other more expensive cars, think german cars, not saying an SS can be an absolute equal to a 1LE with budget mods but that the base SS simply has great performance because of its platform (the subject) along with a few extra handling mods much much better than say an BMW M4 for comparison sake(in terms of handling), without actually having to mention what car; but while obviously being less in total cost than a 1LE........which people do mod the base SS all the time. So you can achieve greatness, even with just a Base SS, the cheapest entry level Camaro without having to go for a 1LE, again something people do all the time. He started with saying "True testament to how good the alpha platform is and in his opinion SS is overlooked for the 1LE"--- is the main subject. Not everyone wants to pay markup 1LE prices or achieve 1LE performance with a base model but you can get a base better than stock for a base car and still be fast
@@selfmadejay01 Sure you can IF you can afford to. A 1LE is a harder car to find and when you do find them they are typically $6-&7K dollars more than your typical SS. More than that if your dealer is adding mark up. If you got it like that by all means go for it. The point here is you may not have to, your getting one hell of a platform either way. Hell if money is no object then I'll take the ZL1 1LE. Most guys I know have a budget, sometimes you gotta mod as you go. It ain't always as simple as "hey just go with the 1LE". Serious track guys will tell you there's still room for improvement with the 1LE. I have zero plans to track mine, that extra 8K might be better spent on a supercharger.
The added cost of the 1LE is really hard to justify over the SS for 99% of buyers. The differences between the two are marginal even for experienced drivers, with the benefits of the 1LE really only coming through on a road course. I would hazard a guess that most 1 LE drivers spend the vast majority of their time on the streets, not on a road course. On the streets, the harsher suspension is not a benefit at all, and the tires, while fantastic on a track when warmed up, are terrible on the streets as well. This says nothing about straight line performance either, where there is no benefit at all to buying a 1LE over the SS. I could make an argument that the SS 1LE shouldn't even exist since we've got the SS, the ZL1, and the ZL1 1LE. If you want a track focused car, then just buy the ZL1 1LE and you're done. For the rest of us who don't need a dedicated track car and will be spending the vast majority of our time on the streets, then we've still got two great options for pricing and performance. And not to mention the LT1... I like options, but it's a lot to take in when trying to justify to yourself "why" you want a particular one and at the end of the day, it's a personal choice. From the LT1 though SS 1LE, there is very little gained in performance, and at times there is performance loss depending on conditions. Unless you're stepping up to the ZL1, don't expect any performance gains that the average driver will be able to take advantage of. That means you, because statistically you're just average. If you're committed to the platform, then you've already made the right choice, now just buy the one that you can afford and looks the best to you and you will be smiling with every drive.
@@LtDan-ni5rw Couldn't agree more. A regular SS is an excellent street fighter with the right mods. That extra 8 grand you saved can be spent on full bolt ons and turn that SS into an absolute beast on the street.
Appreciate this vid. It appears the Camaro 1LE’s are best bang for buck track performers. I am Advanced track junkie clamoring for ZLE after all these years tracking other cars. The weight and SLP suspension/alignment mods have kept me at bay from the ZLE. Passed on opportunity for 2SS with 600hp built motor. Maybe that was the car? Shopping ZLE’s, even with the consumable costs. Great day you guys had!
It was very cold and the tires were shagged. The SS-1LE is quite capable. On tracks where you can't stretch the legs of the ZL1 the lap times are pretty close.
according to chevy, the SS is approximately 3 seconds slower than the SS 1LE on Big Willow. That means on a smaller track like this, the delta should be around 2 and some change with both cars in stock configuration.
@@koonyeezy6433 LOL.. right but not that way! Easy to drive away from anything that doesn't have a driver. Maybe spend less time on upgrades and more time learning how to use what Chevy provided in the first place.
@@Globalx59 Pointing out the obvious... better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Many folks think they need to modify insert car x in order to go fast. When in actuality for 99% of us, more track time and possibly driver training is a better use of resources. Sorry if my comment offends you.
Honestly for the base SS...all you have to do is throw some 1LE tires on it and it wont be far off from the 1LE....tires make a big difference in track racing.
Oops just realized the 1LE is last here...that base SS has to be more than slightly modded to best it and stick with a ZL1. It must have at least a cam.
@@Mechanical_Eng_HPDE Adding 90 HP and dropping weight by 300-400 LBS from the standard SS is more than just "slightly modded." I'll assume it has improved tires/wheels as well. All this helps explain why it was having no trouble staying ahead of the SS 1LE. At any rate, looks like you guys had a fun outing among friends with a nearly empty track.
hahahahaha Imma tell Gabe! :D he's actually the quickest out of the three of us now. Hit 1:28s this past season. But we still give him hell for being in an Auto. hahahahahahahha
A case of fastest driver in slowest car or kindest guy in fastest car
That zl1 looks very planted so he prolly just taking it easy not pushing 100%
@@osunaxz It was about 40*F out and our tires were shagged. I was in the ZL1.
@@Turbo329those zle’s will bite you for sure in cold weather with those Goodyear eagle f1’s on
I think this video is a true testament to just how good the Alpha platform really is. The 1LE without question is a great bang for the buck investment. That said IMO the true star of this video is the Camaro SS. Its often overlooked in favor of the 1LE but a standard Camaro SS with the right mods can be one hell of a car as well.
Or hey instead of paying the money for the so called mods , you can just stick to the main subject of your statement and go with the 1le
@selfmadejay01 his main subject was the platform in and of itself in general. The 1LE was just mentioned price wise for how good it handles for the money compared to other more expensive cars, think german cars, not saying an SS can be an absolute equal to a 1LE with budget mods but that the base SS simply has great performance because of its platform (the subject) along with a few extra handling mods much much better than say an BMW M4 for comparison sake(in terms of handling), without actually having to mention what car; but while obviously being less in total cost than a 1LE........which people do mod the base SS all the time. So you can achieve greatness, even with just a Base SS, the cheapest entry level Camaro without having to go for a 1LE, again something people do all the time. He started with saying "True testament to how good the alpha platform is and in his opinion SS is overlooked for the 1LE"--- is the main subject. Not everyone wants to pay markup 1LE prices or achieve 1LE performance with a base model but you can get a base better than stock for a base car and still be fast
@@selfmadejay01 Sure you can IF you can afford to. A 1LE is a harder car to find and when you do find them they are typically $6-&7K dollars more than your typical SS. More than that if your dealer is adding mark up. If you got it like that by all means go for it. The point here is you may not have to, your getting one hell of a platform either way. Hell if money is no object then I'll take the ZL1 1LE. Most guys I know have a budget, sometimes you gotta mod as you go. It ain't always as simple as "hey just go with the 1LE". Serious track guys will tell you there's still room for improvement with the 1LE. I have zero plans to track mine, that extra 8K might be better spent on a supercharger.
The added cost of the 1LE is really hard to justify over the SS for 99% of buyers. The differences between the two are marginal even for experienced drivers, with the benefits of the 1LE really only coming through on a road course. I would hazard a guess that most 1 LE drivers spend the vast majority of their time on the streets, not on a road course. On the streets, the harsher suspension is not a benefit at all, and the tires, while fantastic on a track when warmed up, are terrible on the streets as well. This says nothing about straight line performance either, where there is no benefit at all to buying a 1LE over the SS. I could make an argument that the SS 1LE shouldn't even exist since we've got the SS, the ZL1, and the ZL1 1LE. If you want a track focused car, then just buy the ZL1 1LE and you're done. For the rest of us who don't need a dedicated track car and will be spending the vast majority of our time on the streets, then we've still got two great options for pricing and performance. And not to mention the LT1... I like options, but it's a lot to take in when trying to justify to yourself "why" you want a particular one and at the end of the day, it's a personal choice. From the LT1 though SS 1LE, there is very little gained in performance, and at times there is performance loss depending on conditions. Unless you're stepping up to the ZL1, don't expect any performance gains that the average driver will be able to take advantage of. That means you, because statistically you're just average. If you're committed to the platform, then you've already made the right choice, now just buy the one that you can afford and looks the best to you and you will be smiling with every drive.
@@LtDan-ni5rw Couldn't agree more. A regular SS is an excellent street fighter with the right mods. That extra 8 grand you saved can be spent on full bolt ons and turn that SS into an absolute beast on the street.
Appreciate this vid. It appears the Camaro 1LE’s are best bang for buck track performers. I am
Advanced track junkie clamoring for ZLE after all these years tracking other cars. The weight and SLP suspension/alignment mods have kept me at bay from the ZLE. Passed on opportunity for 2SS with 600hp built motor. Maybe that was the car? Shopping ZLE’s, even with the consumable costs. Great day you guys had!
😊❤❤❤😂
Either the ZL1 driver is scared of the track or they are trying to just ride together. With good drivers in each there is no comparison from SS ro ZL1
It was very cold and the tires were shagged. The SS-1LE is quite capable. On tracks where you can't stretch the legs of the ZL1 the lap times are pretty close.
according to chevy, the SS is approximately 3 seconds slower than the SS 1LE on Big Willow. That means on a smaller track like this, the delta should be around 2 and some change with both cars in stock configuration.
My best time in the ZLE here is 1:29.2. Greg's time is 1:30.9 I think. So you're pretty close.
What transmission, 6 speed standard or 10 speed auto?
ZLE needs a drive mod, he should have disappeared especially on slicks.
I watched the video till the end it seems the other 2 cars did disappear
@@koonyeezy6433 LOL.. right but not that way! Easy to drive away from anything that doesn't have a driver. Maybe spend less time on upgrades and more time learning how to use what Chevy provided in the first place.
@@FL50ssp the guys just having fun he wanted a fast car thats good around the track hes not there to impress you.
@@Globalx59 Pointing out the obvious... better to drive a slow car fast than a fast car slow. Many folks think they need to modify insert car x in order to go fast. When in actuality for 99% of us, more track time and possibly driver training is a better use of resources. Sorry if my comment offends you.
@@FL50ssp not everyone is as smart as you, thanks for your condolence.
Nice Greg!! Those guys were holding you bro smh
Is the other ss modded or did the driver hold back to record?
Niceeee. You guys was pushing it.
Man it was an awesome run! So much fun!
Honestly for the base SS...all you have to do is throw some 1LE tires on it and it wont be far off from the 1LE....tires make a big difference in track racing.
Does ss come with magnaride
@@Lorde360 Yes...but I think that comes with the 2LT and upper trims. The base SS which I have doesn't.
Oops just realized the 1LE is last here...that base SS has to be more than slightly modded to best it and stick with a ZL1. It must have at least a cam.
The Base SS is modified, its gutted and has 490WHP, weights 3300lbs, the ZLE is also modded to over 700HP
That guy in zl1 was not pushing 100% l, I bet he was just having fun
@@Mechanical_Eng_HPDE Adding 90 HP and dropping weight by 300-400 LBS from the standard SS is more than just "slightly modded." I'll assume it has improved tires/wheels as well. All this helps explain why it was having no trouble staying ahead of the SS 1LE. At any rate, looks like you guys had a fun outing among friends with a nearly empty track.
@@northcamarolina7453 it was definitely a lot of fun! that SS on good R comp. Tires is about 2-3 secs a lap faster than my stock SLE
Even on a tight track, the ZL1 1LE would have been faster with equivalent drivers.
The white Camaro is a 1le..it looks to be a Zl1 as well
The White Camaro is a ZLE 1LE with engine mods and slicks
@@Mechanical_Eng_HPDE Corded slicks. hahahaha hater. :D
That base SS needs a manual... would have done a bit better.
hahahahaha Imma tell Gabe! :D he's actually the quickest out of the three of us now. Hit 1:28s this past season. But we still give him hell for being in an Auto. hahahahahahahha