Vehicle Description
1990�1LE�CAMARO:
This one is special as it is one of only 34 of the 305�5speed�cars
produced in 1990 which was also the LAST year of the�IROC�Camaro.
�This one also had the stripe delete option as it was clearly
originally intended to be �on the track.
With only 1,375 miles and in as delivered condition it is rare and
very collectible for the Camaro enthusiast. Fully documented with
all the paperwork and titles that certify the mileage.
SOME HISTORY ON THE�1LE�CAMARO:
A new�SCCA�racing class had emerged in the late�1980s�called
Showroom Stock. Starting in Canada, it was the first time with the
Canadian Players Challenge where it would grow to
include�SCCA�and�IMSA�events in the USA. This was just the class
where the top-of-the-line production Camaro could excel. As
sophisticated, refined, and powerful as the�IROC-Z�was as a street
car, however, Showroom Stock racing had a way of bringing out the
weaknesses in a car. The sanctioning bodies permitted changes to
the shock absorbers or struts, wheels, and tires; no other changes
to the suspension could be made. While racing the�camaro's�they
discovered that the brakes needed to be changed. They simply were
not designed to go from street to track and just would not
suffice.
Due to the many complaints from Camaro racers, Phil�Minch, a
General Motors brake engineer, set out to come out with a solution.
One very important part of this solution was the use of the massive
12-inch front�disc�brakes off the Chevrolet Caprice as it used the
same front bearing package as the Camaro. Unfortunately these
calipers,�Minch�suspected, would end up not being up to the task.
So After some research,�Minch�checked out and was considering the
two-piston aluminum caliper manufactured in Australia by�PBR. The
Corvette used this caliper as they were specifically made for them.
To use them for the Camaro, it required modification to bolt to the
Camaro spindle.�Minch�worked with Camaro platform chief engineer
Chuck Hughes and F-body power-train manager Ray�Canale�to get the
car modified. The rear�disc�brakes that came with the original
four-wheel�disc�brake option were felt to be adequate, since most
of the braking force is borne by the front brakes. Bill Mitchell of
Special Vehicle Developments was contracted to do track testing of
the car. The stock front-to-rear proportioning valve was
nonadjustable and did not work well with the new brake setup. It
was replaced by a new proportioning valve with satisfactory
results.
After all this, the the vastly improved braking revealed yet
another weakness. During hard braking, the engine would suffer
starvation of fuel when the fuel level fell below a quarter tank.
To fix this, baffles had to be added to the gas tank as well as a
new fuel pickup and sock.
These had to manufactured to ensure the tank-mounted fuel pump was
constantly fed under all racing conditions.
General Motors, Chevrolet addressed other complaints from racers.
Virtually the manual five-speed transmission was virtually used in
all the Camaro's raced. The overdrive fifth gear was great for
mileage but too tall for the small-block�V8's�torque and horsepower
band. With Mustangs, which were lighter and differently
geared,�camaro�racers were battling just to keep up with them.
Another added change to the Camaro was to change the fifth gear
ratio in those Camaro's ordered with this�1LE�racing component
package. For weight reduction purposed and revolving mass of the
racing Camaro, an aluminum�driveshaft�would be part of the package.
An engine oil cooler was also added as insurance.
An enthusiastic and competent engineering student, Mark�Stielow,
assisted Hughes and�Canale�in procuring the pieces for
the�1LE�option and getting them into the production loop so they
could be assembled on the Van Nuys, California, assembly line.
Chevrolet's John�Heinracy, who was a frequent and very successful
racer of Camaro's as well as Corvettes, was actively involved in
the entire process. This included all the way from the racetrack to
the Camaro assembly line to ensure the finished product performed
back on the track. To qualify for Showroom Stock, all these new
items had to be available on the production car so the car could,
in fact, go Showroom Stock racing as equipped.
What the�1LE�package consisted of: (Detail)
This special package was known in Chevrolet Engineering as�1LE, but
it was not an offered as an official ordered�RPO�feature.
The�1LE�Special Performance Components Package was triggered when
the�G92�Performance Axle option was ordered,�G80�Limited-slip 3.42
rear and the�C60�air conditioning option was not ordered. If only
the�G92�option was checked, the buyer had to select from
the�B2L�350ci�V8�with automatic or the�LB9�305ci�V8�with 5-speed
manual. (The standard�V8�in the�IROC-Z�was the 170-horsepower
LOS�305ci�V8-not�enough power for the�SCCA�Showroom Stock
competition.) The�G92�package included the engine oil cooler,
four-wheel�disc�brakes, dual converter
exhausts,�P245/50ZR16�Goodyear Eagle tires, a�145mph�speedometer,
and 5,500rpm�tachometer. Air conditioning could be ordered in these
cars. If the�camaro�was ordered without air conditioning,
the�1LE�option code was then automatically�triggerd. This included
an aluminum�driveshaft, heavier duty front�disc�brakes and
calipers, fuel tank baffle, specific front and rear shock
absorbers, and unique�durometer�jounce bumpers. The�1LE�option
added nearly $700 to the car's price tag.
In mid 1988, the�1LE�Special Performance Components Package became
available but was virtually unknown to most Camaro racer-types. The
result, only 4�1LE�equipped�IROC-Zs�were built at the Van Nuys
plant that year. (However anecdotal evidence suggests
4�RPO�1LE's�were exported to Canada which seems to suggest the
possibility of actual 8 were produced. However this is not
official.) However, by 1989 the word of the�1LE�started to
circulate. Eager buyers were now with checkbooks in-hand for
the�1LE�racing performance package. For 1989, the dual-catalytic
exhaust system was added to the package; a total of
111�IROC-Zs�were ordered with this package. And the buyers were not
disappointed. Chevrolet writes, "In 1989, Chevy's F-body swept the
Sports Car Club of America (SCCA) and International Motor Sports
Association (IMSA) Showroom Stock series. Camaro's won every race
in the�SCCA�Escort Endurance Championship, and captured the 'Car of
the Year award in the�IMSA's�Firestone�Firehawk�series."
What The�1LE�consisted of: (Categorized & Year By Year)
In 1988, the secret showroom stock racing�1LE�option (option level
0�IROC-Z) was first available; however, only 4 were produced. Then
in 1989, the option became more well-known as 111 were produced
that year. The package was obtained by ordering the following:
• Level 1�IROC-Z�with 5.0�TPI�engine (LB9) with 5 speed or
5.7�TPI�engine (L98)� with 4-speed automatic.
• These Camaro's had 145 mph speedometers and 5500 rpm
redline�tachs.
• Optional axle ratio (G92) (305/3.45, 350/3.27) and its required
options
• G80 Limited-Slip rear axle
Package consisted of (G92 Was Ordered�With A/C) [Street
Vehicle]:
• engine oil cooler
• 4-wheel disc brakes
• Performance exhaust system (N10) (dual catalytic converters)
• Tires P245/50 ZR16 Goodyear Gatorback
Note: G92 ordered�WITH A/C�was classifieds as a Street vehicle.
�������� G92 ordered�WITHOUT A/C�was classifieds as Race
series.
Package consisted of (G92 Ordered�Without A/C) [Race Vehicle]:
• Aluminum driveshaft (JG1) (part # 10085375)�
• G80 Differential with limited slip with 3.42 posi re...for more
information please contact the seller.
