Horsepower and gear ratio question - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

weSS1LEy · 07-18-2019, 01:15 AM

Not sure if this makes sense but, if a 1le has 470 whp and 3.91, what whp would an ss with 3.45 (I think) need to match the 1le acceleration? Just curious.

Badbubba · 07-18-2019, 02:20 AM

1LE trans gearing is different from the SS, making it close to the same final drive ratio. 1LE is still slightly lower from what I researched. So I would say about the same hp. For the 1/4 mile with 470 rwhp, both the 1LE and SS would need to shift into 4th. 1LE 3rd gear tapped out would be about 105 and the SS 113 mph. Depends on where the rev limiter is set or shift point.

CamaroFred · 07-18-2019, 03:44 AM

Divide the gear ratios to find the difference:
3.91/3.45 = 1.13333
All other things being equal, the 3.91 will multiply the torque ~13% over the 3.45 gear.
So you would need to multiply the power by 13%.
470 X 1.33 = 532.6

But, as Budbubba points out, the transmission ratios are also different, except for 4th gear (1:1).
It turns out that trans*final drive 1st and 2nd are very close to the same, 3rd and 4th the 1LE has an advantage, 5th and 6th are nearly equal again.

The shorter tires on the 1LE will also give it a bit more acceleration.

weSS1LEy · 07-18-2019, 05:26 AM

Ah yes that makes sense.

pnwdan · 07-18-2019, 06:34 AM

And yet when you put a stock 1LE against a stock SS in the quarter mile, the SS pulls on the 1LE..

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

weSS1LEy · 07-18-2019, 07:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnwdan

And yet when you put a stock 1LE against a stock SS in the quarter mile, the SS pulls on the 1LE..

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

Interesting, can you explain why this might be? This would defeat the purpose of people changing gears?

pnwdan · 07-18-2019, 07:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by weSS1LEy

Interesting, can you explain why this might be? This would defeat the purpose of people changing gears?

Because the final drive ratios are so close,for arguments sake the 3.91 in the 1LE is similar the 3.45 in the SS but the design of the 1LE transmission gearing is suited for the road course vs the SS is more suited for drag. A 3.91 in an SS will decimate a 1LE. This is all stock to stock of course.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

weSS1LEy · 07-18-2019, 07:44 AM

Oh I see so it’s the combination of the trans gears and the rear end. So I definitely won’t underestimate a SS in a drag race then!

PepeLePew · 07-18-2019, 09:01 AM

You need to understand the impact of the different transmission gearing in both the 1LE and the SS to determine the Overall ratio first.

Looking at the Overall ratio, you can see that 1st gear, 2nd gear, 5th gear, and 6th gear, both cars are relatively close. However the SS has a slight advantage in 2nd gear and the 1LE has an advantage in 3rd and 4th gear.

If the cars are the exact same in horsepower and there is no driver variables to consider, then the SS will pull a little harder in second with the 1LE pulling harder in 3rd and 4th.

I would think these cars would be nearly identical in the 1/4 mile in terms of ET with a slightly higher MPH for the 1LE. When you include driver variables, it is anyone's race on otherwise identical cars.

PepeLePew · 07-18-2019, 09:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pnwdan

Because the final drive ratios are so close,for arguments sake the 3.91 in the 1LE is similar the 3.45 in the SS but the design of the 1LE transmission gearing is suited for the road course vs the SS is more suited for drag. A 3.91 in an SS will decimate a 1LE. This is all stock to stock of course.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

yep... I give the SS with a 3.91 that is otherwise identical in power and setup to the 1LE a 2 car lead.

PepeLePew · 07-18-2019, 09:05 AM

Check this out for a good comparison of a gear swap in an SS

sixty9fordkiller · 07-18-2019, 12:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PepeLePew

Check this out for a good comparison of a gear swap in an SS

The camera car is a CMS Stage II cam car. These are the guys that did my car. The other car if im not mistaken is a BTR Stage III cam car.

weSS1LEy · 07-19-2019, 03:02 AM

Wow I had no idea the overall gearing was so close between both cars! So now the question becomes... what the hell is the point of different gears between the two if the overalls end up being almost the same?

denboy1 · 07-19-2019, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PepeLePew

You need to understand the impact of the different transmission gearing in both the 1LE and the SS to determine the Overall ratio first.

Looking at the Overall ratio, you can see that 1st gear, 2nd gear, 5th gear, and 6th gear, both cars are relatively close. However the SS has a slight advantage in 2nd gear and the 1LE has an advantage in 3rd and 4th gear.

If the cars are the exact same in horsepower and there is no driver variables to consider, then the SS will pull a little harder in second with the 1LE pulling harder in 3rd and 4th.

I would think these cars would be nearly identical in the 1/4 mile in terms of ET with a slightly higher MPH for the 1LE. When you include driver variables, it is anyone's race on otherwise identical cars.

Thanks, you just explained why the 0 to 60 and quarter mile times were nearly identical in the sales brochure. Didn't understand why.

07-18-2019, 01:15 AM	#1
weSS1LEy weSS1LEy Drives: 2015 camaro 2ss/rs/1le Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Kelowna Posts: 510	Horsepower and gear ratio question Not sure if this makes sense but, if a 1le has 470 whp and 3.91, what whp would an ss with 3.45 (I think) need to match the 1le acceleration? Just curious. __________________ Rotofab, arh no cats, atak, elite cc, 94 octane tune, Mobil 1, phastek scoop, custom cam 230/243 .621 .604 114+4, related cam kit stuff. 470/435 rwhp/rwtq

07-18-2019, 02:20 AM	#2
Badbubba GrINned & JUICEd Drives: 15STI, 10Expy, 10 2SS/RS M6, 47KB1 Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Pittsburgh, PA Posts: 1,247	1LE trans gearing is different from the SS, making it close to the same final drive ratio. 1LE is still slightly lower from what I researched. So I would say about the same hp. For the 1/4 mile with 470 rwhp, both the 1LE and SS would need to shift into 4th. 1LE 3rd gear tapped out would be about 105 and the SS 113 mph. Depends on where the rev limiter is set or shift point. __________________ GPI SS3 Cam & stuff,N.O. Plate(dedicated fuel tank,progressive,fuel hose upgrade,remote opener,heater,console switches),LNC2000,CTAP,ARH 1 7/8" LTs/gutted cats/X pipe/mufflers,Jet Hot coated LTs,GPI HPT Tune,CAI, Scoop,Rx Catch Can,Gates heater hose relocation, Remote clutch & auto brake res,Metco loop,Momentum Tunnel Brace,TSW Nurb 18",555 & 05,Pfadt trailing arms & toe rods,Autometer WB,Fesler Pillar Pod,LED strips (int),Lloyds floor & trunk mats,LED DRL/front turn & license plate,DRL harness,VLEDs tail lights,Plasticoat Bowties. Ord: Oct 5, 2009 Rec: Nov 19, 2009 13.17@112.6 stock

07-18-2019, 03:44 AM	#3
CamaroFred Drives: Miss Con Ception Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Chicagoland Posts: 2,998	Divide the gear ratios to find the difference: 3.91/3.45 = 1.13333 All other things being equal, the 3.91 will multiply the torque ~13% over the 3.45 gear. So you would need to multiply the power by 13%. 470 X 1.33 = 532.6 But, as Budbubba points out, the transmission ratios are also different, except for 4th gear (1:1). It turns out that trans*final drive 1st and 2nd are very close to the same, 3rd and 4th the 1LE has an advantage, 5th and 6th are nearly equal again. The shorter tires on the 1LE will also give it a bit more acceleration. __________________ 2011 1SS/RS LS3 CGM

07-18-2019, 05:26 AM	#4
weSS1LEy weSS1LEy Drives: 2015 camaro 2ss/rs/1le Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Kelowna Posts: 510	Ah yes that makes sense. __________________ Rotofab, arh no cats, atak, elite cc, 94 octane tune, Mobil 1, phastek scoop, custom cam 230/243 .621 .604 114+4, related cam kit stuff. 470/435 rwhp/rwtq

07-18-2019, 06:34 AM	#5
pnwdan Drives: 2014 2SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2018 Location: Washington Posts: 848	And yet when you put a stock 1LE against a stock SS in the quarter mile, the SS pulls on the 1LE.. Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk __________________ 2014 2SS/RS LS3/M6

07-18-2019, 07:44 AM	#8
weSS1LEy weSS1LEy Drives: 2015 camaro 2ss/rs/1le Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Kelowna Posts: 510	Oh I see so it’s the combination of the trans gears and the rear end. So I definitely won’t underestimate a SS in a drag race then! __________________ Rotofab, arh no cats, atak, elite cc, 94 octane tune, Mobil 1, phastek scoop, custom cam 230/243 .621 .604 114+4, related cam kit stuff. 470/435 rwhp/rwtq

07-18-2019, 09:01 AM	#9
PepeLePew Drives: 2010 2SS Coupe; 2011 2LT Vert Join Date: Dec 2018 Location: Prosper, TX Posts: 458	You need to understand the impact of the different transmission gearing in both the 1LE and the SS to determine the Overall ratio first. Looking at the Overall ratio, you can see that 1st gear, 2nd gear, 5th gear, and 6th gear, both cars are relatively close. However the SS has a slight advantage in 2nd gear and the 1LE has an advantage in 3rd and 4th gear. If the cars are the exact same in horsepower and there is no driver variables to consider, then the SS will pull a little harder in second with the 1LE pulling harder in 3rd and 4th. I would think these cars would be nearly identical in the 1/4 mile in terms of ET with a slightly higher MPH for the 1LE. When you include driver variables, it is anyone's race on otherwise identical cars. Attached Images __________________ 2010 2SS/RS LS3 - K&N, GM Performance Axle Back, Hurst Shifter, TSP 1 7/8ths long tubes no cats, TSP Stage 2 "Bald Eagle" cam, GM 3.91, 466whp/429tq

07-19-2019, 03:02 AM	#13
weSS1LEy weSS1LEy Drives: 2015 camaro 2ss/rs/1le Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Kelowna Posts: 510	Wow I had no idea the overall gearing was so close between both cars! So now the question becomes... what the hell is the point of different gears between the two if the overalls end up being almost the same? __________________ Rotofab, arh no cats, atak, elite cc, 94 octane tune, Mobil 1, phastek scoop, custom cam 230/243 .621 .604 114+4, related cam kit stuff. 470/435 rwhp/rwtq Last edited by weSS1LEy; 07-19-2019 at 03:45 AM.