Quote:
Originally Posted by Burt
They're all different. The 1LE, ZL1, and Z/28 all run different damper, spring and sway bar combinations. For example, the 1LE and ZL1 run the same rear sway bar, but the 1LE has a bigger front sway bar to maintain a similar grip balance with a square tire setup. The Z/28 runs less sway bar than the 1LE because it has stiffer springs and dampers, so it doesn't have to rely on it's sway bars to control body motions as much. Also, the differentials in the 1LE and Z/28 are different, they both use a 3.91 final drive, but the 1LE uses the standard mechanical limited slip whereas the Z/28 uses a helical diff. The 3.91s and helical diff are up near the top of my to-do list, after some more suspension bits.
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The reason the 1LE runs a thicker and stronger front sway bar is to make the car understeer. The optimal setup for a 1LE is my JPSS 32mm rear bar with the OE 1LE 27mm front bar. The car is neutral and transitions from neutral to oversteer in gradual and predictable manner. If you begin to slide in this configuration, with a sway bar differential of 5mm rear to front, the car will spin. With the understeer configuration of the 1LE from the factory if you lift and brake there is a good chance you will not spin and more likely the nannies will get things under control. So while it would appear that the bars are selected for optimal function, they are actually selected to maintain what GM corporate has determined is a safe amount of understeer.
This is some what accurate, but many that track the Z/28 have moved to bigger bars with a greater differential rear to front for the same reasons as bars are changed on the 1LE.
The Z/28 diff puts down power in corners very well. Having said that, as engine HP goes up, the rear gear ratio may need to come down.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pushrod Pete
With the 6G Camaro hitting the streets soon, you guys think there's any chance we see a pride reduction on the z28 parts?
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The Z/28 is the ultimate parts car for Chevrolet at this time given the volume of Camaros sold. A large part of the business case for engineering and building the Z/28 is based on parts sales. I do not see the cost of Z/28 parts going down.