(notice the inside wheel )

For those of you who think those of us concerned over weight are just a bunch of bench-racing "fanboys", here's putting my money where my mouth is . I actually use my Camaro for what it's meant for ..... performance driving!

At a race weight of 3475 lbs, my car is heavy enough as it is on the race track ... esp. through tight corners .

Competition out there is stiff, and as it is, I'm barely staying ahead of some Subarus and even some hopped up Honda Civics!

I love the looks of the new 5th-gen Camaro. I'm sure it will be a "fast" car, and I may still go out and buy on once they're on the market. If I do, chances are I'll take it to the track to try it out. I don't expect it to perform as good as my '02 . If nothing else, it's certainly going to need all ~550 HP of glory to keep up!

 

cool shot.

how much does a TB weigh?

http://www.frontiernet.net/~face440/Chevy_ballet.wmv

 

A tire in the air is a tire doing nothing. It's not steering, it's not putting power to the pavement, it's not helping handling. The car may as well be dropped out the rear of a C5-A at an altitude of a few thousand feet for all the good a tire up in the air does.

A car able to keep all wheels planted on the ground will be more helpful to any performance driving.

 

Nice picture.

Hmm, Needs more rear bar or heavier springs if it carries a wheel like that.

Though I have not been given the details yet I know someone who has a 4th gen who has driven the 5th and was not dissapointed in the least. Lets just see what they give us before we jump out a window.

The CTSV is well over 4000 and ran a sub 8 min lap at the Green Hell.

The 5th gen will weigh in more than a 4th gen it will still be under 4,000 pounds and tuned to deal with it.

You are just underestimating GM, the Camaro team and John Heinrencey's group.

Do you really think they would give you a car anything less than the last one?

 

What does it matter? A panel van with the right driver could "drift" around a Vette like that. That doesn't mean it handles well.

 

Im glad that sort of thing makes you happy, as many have said it takes all kinds... Unfortunately your in the minority of the target sales demographic.

 

While I dont think I will autox my Camaro, I want a car that handles. And Id say its safe tot hink that more people will buy a car that handles well and performs well then a drag racer.

 

Pete, my friend... I think you might want to perhaps consider raising your expectations a little bit...

Best regardSS,

Elie

 

Not sure how drag racing got into a thread about Auto-x....but....I do agree that the harder-core performance folks are definately in the minority, and the vast majority of buyers are far more concerned with looks, wheel size, a big HP number, having the latest electronic gizmos, having the 'correct' emblem on the side of the car, etc.

Those are the folks that GM is obviously marketing towards. Don't blame em at all. The car has to appeal to the majority.

 

... and at the same time, the folks at GM managed to include a few goodies on this car that will keep us "trackies" (who are in the minority) quite happy!

Best regardSS,

Elie

 

That tire on the ground would essentially be doing nothing anyway . Where do you think the weight is concentrated on the car at that moment? It's most certainly not on the front left corner .

I'll have to look around later and find another couple pics, but if I could SHOW you the difference in my car from last year to this year, and you could see how well "4 planted tires" worked for me ...

... let's just say that even with 1 wheel off the ground, I was 4 seconds faster on the same lap, compared to last year .

 

It already has a heavier rear bar (22mm), so maybe more spring might help .

I know that, of course. But if they designed the car to be as light as possible (to satisfy people like me) they could still add all the fun doo-dads that "the people" want, and end up with a lighter car for them (that lacks nothing that the people want). It would be a win-win for everybody .

Am I underestimating GM's engineering capability?? I dunno. Obviously I shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but the #'s are concerning . However, believe me ... I have full confidence in GM's ability ... like you mentioned, look what they did with the CTS-V!!

Yes, I do have high expectations for the car, both in a "sales in general" and "personal satisfaction" aspect. I am fully open-minded to GM blowing me (and others) away with an exceptional performance package . Don't take this thread, or my attitude as "bashing" GM, but rather, giving them incentive to impress the pants off me!

I'm REALLY looking forward to checking out the car ... I'm still keeping the faith that it's going to be great . That doesn't mean I still don't wish it was closer to ~3500 lbs than ~4000 lbs, or that a lighter Camaro wouldn't perform better than a heavier one .

 

Hold on. If the premise of this thread is "could a 4000 pound Camaro do this", you're not suggesting that GM purposely brought the car in overweight to target a sales demographic, are you?

 

I know what you mean Capn. I did my first open track event a few months back and I am hooked! I did a 2 day event at Roebling Raceway and I will make sure I go several of these a year from now on. Going 140mph down the front stretch, slamming on the brakes, ripping through the twisties, man, it makes drag racing down right boring!!!

My car was 3394# with 3/4 tank of gas, spare tire and jack. I know, I know, take them out and run with less fuel dummy!

I am worried about the weight. Leaning towards a pulley, intake, tune GT500 as a street bruiser, but maybe a Z28 will fit the bill. Fingers crossed, I have never owned a Ford, don't make me do it GM!

 

Speaking only from my little micro-world....and being a drag racer....a 4000 lb raceweight is VERY hard on parts (I can prove this....especially when the class I raced most often in made me run at 3500 lbs ). But again....I know that GM didn't design the car for me or my kind. I got it. I'm sure it will be a nice package for the average enthusiast, and I hope it does well.

Bob

PS....I bet the car will "hide" its weight much better on a road course or on the street than on an Auto-X or drag strip.