Crash Test Videos / Chassis Stiffness by GM Design

[JusticePete]

Just how well built is your 5th Gen Camaro? Take a close look at these crash test videos.

Side Impact


Front Impact Watch the engine move while the front sub-frame remains almost stationary at 14 Seconds



When GM designed the Camaro they built it well, very well. It was engineered to have an exceptionally strong monocoque. A solid monocoque translates into a higher perception of quality while enhancing performance and function. In the following series of pictures you can see how the 5th Gen Camaro has numerous 'chassis braces' built in at the factory using state-of the art design in the form of shape, construction and materials --

High-strength low-alloy (HSLA) steel is a type of alloy steel that provides better mechanical properties or greater resistance to corrosion than carbon steel. HSLA steels vary from other steels in that they aren't made to meet a specific chemical composition, but rather to specific mechanical properties. They have a carbon content between 0.05–0.25% to retain formability and weldability. Other alloying elements include up to 2.0% manganese and small quantities of copper, nickel, niobium, nitrogen, vanadium, chromium, molybdenum, titanium, calcium, rare earth elements, or zirconium.[1][2] Copper, titanium, vanadium, and niobium are added for strengthening purposes.[2] These elements are intended to alter the microstructure of carbon steels, which is usually a ferrite-pearlite aggregate, to produce a very fine dispersion of alloy carbides in an almost pure ferrite matrix. This eliminates the toughness-reducing effect of a pearlitic volume fraction, yet maintains and increases the material's strength by refining the grain size, which in the case of ferrite increases yield strength by 50% for every halving of the mean grain diameter. Precipitation strengthening plays a minor role, too. Their yield strengths can be anywhere between 250–590 megapascals (36,000–86,000 psi). Due to their higher strength and toughness HSLA steels usually require 25 to 30% more power to form, as compared to carbon steels

Martensitic Ultra High Strength Steel Maraging steels (a portmanteau of martensitic and aging) are iron alloys which are known for possessing superior strength and toughness without losing malleability, although they can not hold a good cutting edge. 'Aging' refers to the extended heat-treatment process. These steels are a special class of low-carbon ultra-high-strength steels which derive their strength not from carbon, but from precipitation of inter-metallic compounds. The principal alloying element is 15 to 25% nickel.[1] Secondary alloying elements are added to produce intermetallic precipitates, which include cobalt, molybdenum, and titanium.

Photos originally posted 11.11.2008 by aston70










Rear Sub-Frame Forward Bush / Bolt Area


Rear Sub-Frame Rear Bush / Bolt / Locating Post


The large bush in the right of these two pictures have a ferule that fits over the Locating Post. This not only centers the sub-frame, but anchors it much as a weld would to the monocoque. The movement in the rear sub-frame is relative to the voids in the the OEM rubber bushes. If the voids are filled with urethane inserts or the OE bushes replaced with higher durometer full urethane, movement of the rear sub-frame is virtually eliminated.




Sub-Frame Stability Video



The front sub-frame mounts with six bolts and two locating pins. There are no rubber bushes. The front sub-frame connects well forward and well behind the front 'axle' for strength and stability. As you could see in the frontal impact video the engine was moving backwards from the impact (at roughly 14 seconds), but the front sub-frame remained well located.

What does all this mean to a 5th Gen Camaro owner in terms of suspension performance?

Pedders Camaro Running Race Car Speeds on Track



It means YOU own a bad XXX automobile. It means you own more car than you probably thought you had purchased. It means your Camaro will remain tight and solid for many years and thousands of miles. It means your Camaro will respond exceptionally well to suspension modifications because it is such a robust and stable platform. It means you can drive your 5th gen with confidence knowing that it is built by Chevrolet to exceed your expectations. It means your suspension will work as designed when driven to the limits on track or down a roughest city street.

Watch the ripples all the way to the rear bumper.




Watch the trunk movement

Originally Posted by ToFast

Did you see how the passenger in the back of the mustang hit the window?Ouch! They need to add airbags!

A SRT8 owner raised a question in the LSA thread and I found these videos to create a reply. I thought you might find them interesting. The side impact damage is surprising. The rear seat occupants appear to be safer than the driver.







The Chevrolet monocoque withstands the same impacts with less distortion. You can see why Pedders has FOUR Mustang chassis braces and NO Camaro chassis braces.

Braces?! We don't need no stinkin braces



in a 5th Gen Camaro!

[Silver2SSRS6spd]

Wow, did you see the windshield wipers fly forward?

[DMSDesign]

That is a pretty serious front end impact. It is amazing how great the Camaro survived

mike
dms

[PYROLYSIS]

Side impact video not working for me.

[JusticePete]

As much damage as there is with the enormous impacts watch the wheels. There is little movement in them. Watch the areas just outside the impact. I am shocked at how minimal the distortion is. You can see the waves / ripples in the roof sheet metal, but again the rest of the car is shockingly stable.

[Berean]

Crashing one with an RS package seems to be an unnecessary waste of money.

[d69chris]

Those dummies need to wash their faces before going to work! They left dirt all over the air bags.

It must have been casual Friday by the way the dummies were dressed.

[Mr Twisty]

That's when you're glad it weighs 2 tons!

[JusticePete]

Two tons of high tech materials state-of-the-art engineering make the 5th Gen ZETA II a structurally sound platform that has been reinforced at point of build. Our 5th Gens accept suspension modifications well because the platform is so stable. The 5th Gen is at home on the track or roughest streets with no need for additional structure.

[radz28]

Originally Posted by MisterCamaro69

That's when you're glad it weighs 2 tons!

Originally Posted by JusticePete

Two tons of high tech materials state-of-the-art engineering make the 5th Gen ZETA II a structurally sound platform that has been reinforced at point of build. Our 5th Gens accept suspension modifications well because the platform is so stable. The 5th Gen is at home on the track or roughest streets with no need for additional structure.

Quotes of the day!!!

It may be heavy, but you're going to be safer due to the weight. Seeing the body (minus the bolt-on panels and glass) remain as stiff as it did was pretty telling to the strength GM designed into the car. I'd be very interested in seeing strength tests between CAMARO and the "other" car. That'd be pretty cool.

[JusticePete]

Watch the ripples all the way to the rear bumper.




Watch the trunk movement




Watch the monocoque buckle at the A pillar.



The Chevrolet monocoque withstands the same impacts with less distortion. You can see why Pedders has FOUR Mustang chassis braces and NO Camaro chassis braces.

Braces?! We don't need no stinkin braces



in a 5th Gen Camaro!

[CamaroSkooter]

Cool post

Pete, your "Sub-Frame Stability Video" isn't linked correctly

[JusticePete]

Originally Posted by CamaroSkooter

Cool post

Pete, your "Sub-Frame Stability Video" isn't linked correctly

Thank you. It has now correct.

[JusticePete]

Bump becuase the Camaro5 community needs to know how well built a 5th Gen Camaro is.