Z28 Weight Loss
 

With all the talk of how to lose weight on the Z28 and how light it should be from GM, I thought I would make a new thread and say











ITS A HEAVY CAR AND WONT LOSE 100LBS SO GET OVER IT.




Look folks this talk about weight isn't helping to get this car made, its hurting it. Also don't tell me what the mustang weights, its a much smaller car. in fact look at the weight of the Boss and compare to the GT.

I guess all I am saying is that we need to stop filling this area with crazy diet ideas every 2 seconds and look at suspension and engine setups more.

:word: Not only that where did this weight stuff come from anyway? I mean a 69 Z28 was basically the same weight as any other Camaro produced that year too right? JusticePete has already shown what a stock SS can do. It is very formidable, however there is room for improvement. With proper suspenson upgrades, the Z28 can be made to tear us some AZZ around a road course. If they can find some weight to drop fine, that's just icing on the cake. :headbang: :headbang:

The suspension is going to add a lot of weight so the key to keeping the Z28's weight down will be to find the areas that we can keep the weight relatively low. I understand that the 5th Gen is a big car and weight reduction is a difficult task but, that doesn't mean we should ignore weight all together. If were looking to produce a naturally aspirated, road going Z28 then weight is and always will be an issue. With the upcoming FE4 suspension that will be available on the 2012 Camaro SS, it is proof that GM is taking a step in the right direction to produce a well mannered Camaro for track duty. Now the task of keeping weight to a minimum, not a 100 pound reduction, is necessary more now than ever. Suspension can add an insane amount of weight but it is not unwanted weight so to speak... Heavier suspension means stability.

If GM can keep the weight of the Z28 close to the SS's curb weight, then it is a possibility that they can use a two piece rotor and still use the same diameter that the SS does. There is physical proof that a 4000+ pound Camaro can handle as Pedders did just that to a 2010 SS. As long as the 2012 Camaro didn't gain too much weight over the 2010 and 2011, it wouldn't be crazy to think that GM could develop and produce a 3800 pound Z28 Camaro. It also isn't crazy to think that GM could even manage to make a Z28 a tad bit lighter than the standard SS of say, 50 or so pounds. GM needed a benchmark car and now Ford has given it to them in the form of the Boss 302. It is only a matter of time before GM is caught in camouflage in the Detroit area in a Z28 test mule. It is probably out of the question to see a 3700lb Z28, but it would be HUGE news if GM could manage a 3799lbs Z28.

I am excited all this is going on and I love the fact that there are people on this site doing the bench engineering to figure out where the Z28 would stand. I am calling for a high revving, naturally aspired LS3 to do the job. Its the lightest and most inexpensive V8 engine they got. Now the issue of developing an LS3 that can turn out the RPMs and produce the horsepower and torque needed to compete with the Boss 302. I will be looking to the Grand Am Continental Tire Grand Sport class for the new Z28... having the Z28 appear there would bring back the SCCA Trans Am series days of the pony car war and I would no longer regret being born in the wrong generation...

The 1969 SCCA rules stated a car could have a minimum weight of 2900 pounds less fuel and driver. Thats almost 500 pounds off a factory street car. Folks, these were race cars not street cars. The weight reduction isn't going to happen.

I think we are talking about cars that are gonna be sold to the general public.
Race cars are a completely different breed.

I understand, my point is you're not going to get the weight loss without stripping the car. I guess it depends on what you can't and can live without.

Well then the dilemma is as simple as this; Can Camaro enthusiast live without sound deadening material, leather electric seats, touch screen Nav and a Boston sound system or would they rather live without Z28? This Z28 is only for "The" Camaro enthusiast... anyone else need not apply... Its the Z06 of the Camaro world, a serious Camaro for serious Camaro people.

There were things on the regular cars that couldn't be ordered on the Z's. The '67-69 Z/28's never had power steering or drum front brakes. Springs were also different from a regular small block car.

And while that is true, a factory Z/28 on the street wasn't overly heavy either. My '69 Z/28 new in stock form weighed 3385 lbs., that was probably close to 300 lbs. less than a '69 SS 396 with auto tranny and AC, that was due to the Z/28 having a small block, manual tranny and no AC.
Clyde

PS was an option. I have it on mine.

Clyde, as The Pill and I stated it's going to come down to what we can't and can live with and what Chevrolet deems we can. I vote to strip it and go with it.

Oh I pretty much agree with you, but I don't think Chevrolet is willing to go but so far on the 5th gen. Z/28 (if they build one).
Clyde

I am with you on this and that weight will need to be taken off to account for suspension upgrades but it everyone wanting the completed Z28 100-500 lbs lighter when we are all said and done and it just cant happen.

Most of the weight is in the engine. If they go to a V6 with turbos; then they can reduce at least 100 maybe 150 pounds from the front; which will give the Z28 a much better handling and turning characteristics.

Further, Chevrolet could if they wanted to use an aluminium frame like the ZR1 does and have carbon fiber panels. Of course we are talking another $20K if that happens but that would reduce the weigh another 200 pounds

The Sigma frame is just designed heavy! So their are limits. But just doing the reducing engine from V8 to turbo V6 will make it feel fast and nimble.