As much I as agree to the old saying about no replacement for displacement, I have to wonder how well a Direct Injection 6.2L would compare to a mass-produced version of the LS7 (sans Titanium rods and valves)??

The 3.6L V6 LY7 in the CTS gained 16% in horsepower and 8% in torque with the addition of direct injection and increased static compression ratio that makes the LLT.

If the Corvette's LS3 (with the optional exhaust) gained 16% in horsepower and 8% in torque, it would put out 506hp and 462tq. Pretty damn close to the LS7's 505hp/470tq rating...

 

A front like the PHR cars, maybe hood too, modded LS3/lower cost LS7, better suspension and brakes, mandatory Z28 stripes that run where they're supposed to front and back, (not cut short like the current ones) bigger spoiler, and any weight reduction possible.

 

put a giant spoiler on the back!
just kidding. i think the dove tail spoiler should be on it. and some sort of carbon fiber front air damn like on the zr1.

 

It ain't about looks......it's about performance. The SS body will work fine, thank you very much.

Keep the rice, give me better gearing, alignment, exhaust, suspension and a few lighter parts.

 

Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires.

Let's not mess around with anything but the best in this department.

 

yeah it is about looks too. look at all of the faster model cars gm makes. the zr1, the z06 the cts-v. even the gxp editions of pontiac all the v series of cadillac. they all have supgraded suspension and drivetrain and also have a unique look to them. so so cosmetics are necesary to set it appart from the rest. wheels, different bumpers, exhaust, badging, interior, seats. yes it needs cosmetics.

 

Not if it adds weight or additional cost it doesn't...not all of us are out to impress the neighbors.....a real Z/28 is ALL about performance.

 

the zr1 was the same way in the late 80's and early 90's and look at it now. theres alot of advancements since the last z28. which might i say wasnt too different from the ss in the late model 4th gen.(performance wise)

 

I'm with Doug. The fewer body kit doo-dads the better.

 

Springs (not too low, but a tad stiffer), shocks (something adjustable like Koni SA's would be great), and bigger bars. The only expensive parts in there are the shocks. Springs and bars are cheap.

The lower gear (ie: 3.73) sounds like a good idea.

I like the '69-esque chin spoiler.

Wider tires on all 4 corners! Heck, a 4th-gen came with 275's on all 4 corners, and it was a lighter car?!

The "poor man's LS7" would be a great engine. I'm glad that more people have caught onto that . I was crying for that ~2 - 3 years ago when we first started debating what a Z/28 should be and what it should get!

Fortunately, the SS already has good brakes. All the owner would have to do is upgrade the pads to something race spec, and you'd have track ready brakes!

 

What do you think this engine would be? A mass-produced version of the same engine, but with a wet sump and without the exotic materials?

 

What others have suggested; start with 2SS/RS trim options, plus (or minus):

• HotCam LS376/480
• No mail slot
• Long tube headers, with tuned stainless exhaust
• Ram Air Hood (possibly carbon fiber if its lighter than Al)
• Stripes like the Convertible concept
• Short throw shifter, std.
• Bigger brakes
• Stiffer suspension
• Poser rear high-wing spoiler (I kind of like it)
• Hard-top and M6 only

With the right tune, it could make power comparable to a stock LS7.

 

Essentially, yes .

Heck, I don't know the actual COST difference for the titanium PARTS, but if it wasn't that much more, throw them in. The point I ALWAYS made was that there is no need to "hand assemble" an engine . I think that's where half the cost of the LS7 came from. Build it on the line with the rest of the Gen-IV V8's (truck engines, LS3's, etc.) and just throw in the parts that make it a 7.0L (427) instead of the 6.2L, 6.0L, 5.3L, etc.

The dry-sump vs. wet-sump could go though. The Z06 will corner MUCH harder than a Camaro, so oil starvation MAY become an issue . I'm sure that's an expensive component, so ditch it. The LS3 makes do without a dry-sump system, and it still cranks out good power .

 

I agree with the M6 only . It worked in the 60's, and they did it again with the Z06 & ZR1 .

However, long-tube headers are NOT realistic. This is an OEM car, that has to meet emissions standards and carry a warranty. No long-tube will EVER make it under today's standards . I think the shorty option is the best we'll see from an OEM. And as for bigger brakes? 14" brakes are PLENTY big enough!! Just upgrade the pads .

 

those "body kit " components are not just for looks. most of them are functional pieces. like the dove tail spoiler and the ground effects that are optional. they all provide down force. this would be a must for a car that is planning on being used on a track.