Mustang GT has a "Track Pack" option. It's been suggested that Chevrolet come out with a competing option for Camaro. I agree. Let's discuss what options it should include.

For reference, the Mustang Track Pack is $1495 and includes:

• 3.73 gears (up from 3.55)
• Revised suspension hardware (borrowed from GT500)
• Larger wheels (19" over the regular 18")
• Larger summer-only tires (Pirelli PZero, same as the standard Camaro SS tire, 255 all around)
• Brake pad upgrade

For Camaro, I think the following upgrades would be worth considering for inclusion in the package, but all together, I suspect my list would make the package too expensive.

• 3.73 gears
• Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires, 255 in front, 285 in rear
• Lightweight forged 20x8 and 20x9" wheels
• Brake pad upgrade
• More adjustable suspension (maybe using Pedders as a supplier?)
• Magnetorheological shocks with driver-selectable damping settings

Suggest everything you can think of that might be worth including. After a day or two, I'll add a multiple-choice poll with price estimates, and we can see what would be most popular.

 

i dont think it needs to change the wheels and tires. pirelli is a great tire. i think new gears, stiffer shocks(something like the z51 package on the vette), short throw shifter,cross drilled/slotted rotors.somewhere in the price range of 1500 and under. i dont know how much the magnetic suspension upgrade is on a vette.

 

Can 285s fit on a 9" wheel? I have 17 x 9.5" TT2's and a 275 tire and it looks pretty wide. I would just make some suspension changes and a gear change. Slotted rotors and short throw shifter might work too, but I don't know how long the shifter throw on the stock car is, so it might be a moot point.

 

To be honest I would hope they would never offer one. One of the things that I like about not having one is the ability to choose what performance parts I want to use. Now I know I could still do that but it wouldn't be the same. As for performance the only thing I would change is the gear ratio in the rear end. Every other magazine out there has the Bembro brakes out braking the other two including the Track Pack Mustang. Sure the tires would make a difference but even these P-zeros likely won't last much more than a year with mildly aggressive driving. At $400 plus per tire I really would hate to see a softer more performance based tire used.

Just my opinion although I know it doesn't amount to a hill of beans.

 

Seeing how the high performance division has been axed, I don't think any of this will happen. But everything you've suggested could be easily done yourself. Well, except for the magnetic shocks. Which is too bad because I think that's one of biggest reasons that the ZR1 performs so well.

 

This.

We already have bigger wheels and tires. We also already have better brakes, but those rotors sound like a good idea. More aggressive gears would be nice, but probably wouldn't be good for MPG. But whatever, this is an option for more performance. What we really need, is a more aggressive suspension that's focused on handling and not as much on compliance. In all the reviews, it seems that the car handles good but needs quicker steering/more turn-in bite and has a pretty compliant ride. I say offer an option that goes the IROC-Z route, straight turning ability with little regard for comfort, slot car like handling. If the competitor can have an option something like this, so should we. I'd like to see the skidpad over .95g and the slalom at 70MPH at least.

 

IMO, that's about what I'd go for with the exception adding two-piece rotors to knock the unsprung weight down a bit more (Mitsu did it with the Evo).

Suspension adjustability is a mixed bag???? How far do you go? Ride height changes, adjustable front and rear bars? Just the front bar being adjustable? I know the enthusiast wants the widest prossible range of adjustment available but when your selling this car to whomever clicks off the option box and they start messing with all the adjustible stuff its a sure way to turn a nice handling car into a wreck real quick.

I know on my car, just having an adjustable front swaybar was pretty handy for making the car handle in a more neutral fashion and now I'm messing with front and rear air pressures to see how things go.

LMAO, on previous cars using the stock suspension the air pressure deal didn't seem to make to much of a difference, but now with the current S-197, my FR3 suspension and a 5 extra psi on the front tires ... ... turn in is like RIGHT NOW!

 

Screw all that stuff and just give me the 500 lb delete option. Nothing else needed.

 

Exactly.

The SS already comes with GM's version of the "Track Pack". It just has a buttload more mass to hump around.

 

First and foremost, I would use the new Corvette Grand Sport's LS3 engine with the Z52 option(dry sump oil system).

Next, I would raid GM Accessories for their shorty headers and off-road exhaust system. While I was there I would also get the chin and deck spoilers they showed on the Koni Challenge Camaro at SEMA.

Suspension wise, maybe a deal could be worked with Pedders or a company like them to supply a true adjustable coil-over suspension. Pedders is getting 1+ g's with a G8 can't wait to see what they can do with a Camaro.

Cooling ducts for the brakes.

Lighter more aggressive tire/wheel combo.

I even know the perfect option code for this package... Z28.

 

Heh, yeah, its called BIW or F6

 

• Wider wheels.
• Stiffer springs and sway bars.
• Steeper rear gear.

Translated: The stuff you can't change in SCCA Solo Stock class.

 

While I haven't driven the car in anger, I've read a few comments about steering feel. I'd concentrate on changes to improve that. As I'm not a chassis engineer, i really don't know how to go about that though.

 

IZ28 and Ed 2001 SS are right.
Steering feel, turn-in bite, and on-center feel have to be addressed.
I don't really think it needs a track pack.
They need to tune the steering & suspension a bit better.

And I'm also not on board for a mechanically adjustable suspension. First off, most people wouldn't even touch it. And if they did, they'd f*** the whole thing up.

 

GEARS! 3.90 - 4.10

Stiffer springs and sway bars as Art mentioned.

Lightweight racing style wheels.

Start addressing weight. Even a 100lb drop will help the car in every measured performance category.