http://jalopnik.com/#!5757938/the-ca...s-still-coming

 

hmmm....i want the z28 to be like the Z06 or the grand sport. either a 7.0 and an amazing suspension, lightweight parts, high reving motor or something like the grand sport by having the 6.2 but having the best of the ZL1 on it. like brakes, suspension, light weight components, race seats, lightweight wheels and sticky tires.

 

I hear you but we have heard time and time again that the LS7/LS9 hand built at GM performance have too high of a price point to be used in Camaro or CTS. So far that has seems to be holding true. LSA is a great engine and having 50+ more HP and torque than the LS7 certainly helps with heavier Camaro and CTS-V.

I just dont' see GM changing any of the engines in their lineup. We know that GM powertrain doesn't just drop in a new cam or change the heads on existing engines without making them a new one. LT1 to LT4 or LS1 to LS6. And when they have done this it was for the Corvette. With the LSA, LS7 and LS9 I don't see them changing anything for the LS3. So it either gets more power from yearly updates or stays as is.

 

If GM wants to make a statement with a competitor to the new BOSS, throw the LS7 at it, and price it competitively. The people at Wixom have to fill their time somehow.

 

GM already sells the hot cam version of the LS3 as a crate engine (LS 376/480). All they would need to do is have it certified for Camaro, something they can easily do within one year. Furthermore GM already has the E-Rod LS3 crate engine CARB/50-State emissions certified as a direct replacement engine, and is working on similar certification for an E-Rod version of the LS7. (Yes that LS7.) Dropping either engine in a production Camaro (LS 376/480 or LS7) is a simple as doing the testing and filling out the paperwork.

The LS7 wouldn't save much cost over the LSA (about $3k), however a theoretical Z28 doesn't need all the bells and whistles the ZL1 has either. In theory, you could start with a 1SS, upgrade the brakes, wheels, suspension, add a carbon fiber hood and rear deck lid, and drop in the LS7 and 99.9% of the Z28 buyers would be satisfied.

 

Strip the rear seat (and OnStar ), take the lighter exhaust from the ZL1, light 5 star wheels (with the iroc influence), add spacers and lower the car 2 inches to close the wheel gap, and use a new cam that revs to 7k RPM (with less tq and more hp) for some LS variant engine. The lower tq would keep its 0-60 time below the ZR1 (and reduce warranty liability for the manufacturer from customers that like to hard launches) and the sound of the cam would really make the car IMO. Obviously a mild exterior change like a ducktail spoiler.

Some companies think of their car line-ups as:
base model: X hp and $Y
mid model: X+ hp and $Y+
mid model: X++ hp and $Y++

I think GM should avoid this boring formula, and make it unique. Make its performance different, but not necessarily a lesser. Comparing the SS to Z28 to ZR1 should be like comparing apples to oranges to bananas.

 

What makes you think that stock 1st gen. Z/28s were not capable of a rapid rate of acceleration? The NHRA D/S record currently held by a '67 Z/28 is 10.45 @ 124.
Clyde

 

And why would people outside of die hard racers not buy it? Simply being based on the first gen. heritage really takes nothing away from the cars saleability, there was nothing missing on my Z/28 in 1969 that prevented me from buying it, no AC....who cares, no vert......never ever wanted a vert in any car I've owned, no auto tranny........double who cares. Most any other option you could have wanted was available, it was not a "stripped down, low weight" shell of a car. I just don't see the point or reality of your statement, I think if they build a new Z/28 closer to the first gen. heritage it will be a hit and a big seller.
Clyde

 

maybe the z28 will shed some weight so it can compete with the mustang. we can only hope

 

Here is what I would do to make a Z28. Drop the LS7 in there. I am guessing its 100lbs lighter than an LSA. Go to 19 inch wheels to further save weight but keep them wide as the ZL1 and no run flats. Carbon fiber hood, trunk lid, fenders and seats. Dump 4 of the 6 airbags and a minimal stereo system. Use Aluminum for suspension pieces including shocks. Make the brakes smaller. Do we really need 14.5 inch rotors? 13.75 in front 13 in back and both would be 2 piece. Go to a 3:73 rear gear. Lightweight Ti exhaust.

 

I'm in total agreement with you. But GM won't do that. I don't know why other than I know that they won't. It's not like they are not logical. But they don't put crate engines in production cars but they do put production engines on sale as crate engines. I don't know if it's the certification costs, EPA or something in the testing of a production engine vs a crate. but they just don't drop in hot cam crate style versions of production engines in prodcutions vehicles.

 

I think we are close on what a Z28 could be in the 5th Gen. I agree on a 1SS. Clear the option list. No RS/Sunroof or leather. Give it the full ZL1 suspension, brakes and exhaust. LS7 would be nice but I'd think it would be LS3. (M6 only) With the ZL1 exhaust and maybe a Z28 specific cold air kit maybe GM could advertise the power at 440hp.
Give it the ZL1 rear spolier. And if we are lucky a nose like the Jay Leno Camaro. Real Z28 stripes to the end of the nose!
Focus on weight savings. A nice set of lightweight wheels fit for the track would go far on ZL1 spec rubber to earn this Z it's slash and stripes!

More Grand Sport and less Z06.

 

Here's what I think Chevy should do for the Camaro in 2012.

LS- Base v6 Eco Camaro(replaces the LT), LTT V6 -312hp 30-31mpg on the hwy.

RS - LFX 330 hp V6, with SS tires, spoilers, and a Suspension & track package.

SS - (Mustang GT fighter) LS3 426hp V8

Z/28 - (Boss Mustang Fighter) 450-455hp LS3 V8, with ram-air, exhaust and track package upgrades.

ZL1 - (GT500 fighter) 550+ hp LSA V8

 

Unless I misread the press release, I'm pretty sure the LFX only makes 330 hp on Ethanol. With reg. unleaded it still makes 312 hp like the LTT.

We really don't need an "Eco" Camaro. The DI V6 makes great gas mileage as it is for an almost two-ton muscle car.

I'd still like to see a turbo V6 in the line-up, however I doubt I'll get it.

 

I would like to see the Z/28 have:

The dry sump LS3 from the GS Corvette. All the Vette guy's racing wet sumped cars were eating motors up. It would be nice to know the motor actually could survive being road raced. An LS7 would be nice, but it would push the price of the car up too much.

A light weight flywheel with a dual disc clutch. It might take a little getting used to, but the motor would "feel" a ton more responsive and free revving.

TR6060 with a unique gear set aimed at road racing.

The heavy duty driveshaft and rear axle assembly from the ZL1, including the 3.73 gear ratio.

Also steal the brakes from the ZL1.

For suspension, just install the complete Pfadt (or Pedders) catalog. The magnetic shocks are awesome, but they lack user adjustability, a must if the Z/28 is to be a serious track car.

Lightweight wheel and tire combo.

Throw the track mufflers, from the Chevy parts catalog, in the trunk as an end user installed option, they aren't legal in some states. They would add horsepower and save weight.

And last but not least, shed weight where possible.