Mustang GT vs. Camaro SS 1LE: Ultimate Pony Car Shootout
Transmission Shootout
We pointed out in the prior Mustang GT manual review that the clutch is heavy and springy, so there will be some lag in between shifts. It’s easier when you are up to cruising speed, and once you’ve mastered the long throws and timed the transmission’s gearing just right, the car becomes a beast. On Angeles Crest in California, the MT-82 fared much better than it did on the street, but that’s because we were going no less than 50 miles-per-hour at all times.
The Camaro SS 1LE has the Tremec six-speed transmission and a much lighter clutch. It’s snappy, responsive, and has much tighter gearing. However that transmission is not native to the car like the MT-82 is to the Mustang. The Shelby Mustang GT350, for example, sports a Tremec, and you could easily transplant one into the Mustang GT. In light of this, points go toward the SS 1LE on this on pure technicality.
Acceleration
This one is hard. Like, really hard. From a dig, both the Mustang GT and Camaro SS 1LE have tremendous low-end torque, and despite the GT having less, they perform extremely similar. However, there is a difference within their respective powerbands, and the edge goes toward the Mustang on this one.
Put quite simply, the Mustang has a higher redline, slightly higher compression, and better top end performance. So while shifting from second to third and so forth, the torque kicks in at 2,500 revolutions-per-minute and the horsepower starts earlier in the spectrum (at around 4,300 to 4,500 rpm on the highway). The Camaro’s torque consistently kicked in at 2,500 rpm, with its top end starting at about 4,400 rpm. Points for the Mustang.
Braking
Both cars come with six-piston Brembo brakes, and slightly different-sized rotors. The Mustang’s rotors are bigger but despite this, both vehicles have practically identical stopping power. This one is a draw.
Mustang GT vs. Camaro SS 1LE: Ultimate Pony Car Shootout continued…
