Open Letter from Al Oppenhieser to the Camaro Nation and Ford.

[bpmurr]

Originally Posted by babaron

Ford did not outright say no to the challenge. They just said they wish they could. That could mean thier car is not yet ready. By next quarter, however, they'd better be ready.

It's refreshing to read someone that actual read what was said instead of reading the Jalopnik headline. Trust in that these cars will go head to head a lot. Plus Ford is still working out last minute details on the GT500 before Q2 2012 production.

[avcbm]

After thinking about it, you could say the only thing that went wrong with all of this is just bad timing. The ZL1 is a 2012 model year, had it been released at the beginning of the beginning of the model year this would be a moot point, because it would be out and performing as expected. With the playing field level both Chevy and Ford would have one year to respond. Since the announcement of the ZL1 ford has had time to prepare and respond with the 2013 GT500, Chevy cannot respond because they only have a few months between releases. Even if they could there maybe implications due to buyers being upset and feeling cheated for buying the 12 model year. The ultimate solution to correct the problem if possible would be to offer the 12 model year with its current configuration, with the option of some kind of additional horsepower bump or package. I’m by no means a mechanic or gear-head so I don’t even know if it’s possible, but if it is maybe it’s worth considering. I don’t think 650 horsepower is needed given the technological advantage the ZL1 will have, but just enough to make it a drivers race in my opinion. I know you can mod your car but that’s not the point, the point is I want it from the factory as is…..because whatever mods you do, so can the competition and your right back where you started from. Something deep down insides me tell me that the performance numbers on the ZL1 that were released are underrated because we all thought they would surpass the CTS-V in every category. If that’s the case the Camaro team is smiling right about know, because they know something we don’t…. It was released months ago about the twin turbo ect… (June - http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...harged-v8.html) that the GT500 was going from 5.4 to 5.8 at 620+ hp, and no one was worried then, but as soon as 650 came out everyone started to panic… me included… but I have to keep the faith, and that faith is, as soon as it was speculated on the 620 hp, Chevy started making changes, and things were being tweaked, to dial in the numbers needed to compete and win……I hope I’m right……….

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by avcbm

After thinking about it, you could say the only thing that went wrong with all of this is just bad timing. The ZL1 is a 2012 model year, had it been released at the beginning of the beginning of the model year this would be a moot point, because it would be out and performing as expected. With the playing field level both Chevy and Ford would have one year to respond. Since the announcement of the ZL1 ford has had time to prepare and respond with the 2013 GT500, Chevy cannot respond because they only have a few months between releases. Even if they could there maybe implications due to buyers being upset and feeling cheated for buying the 12 model year. The ultimate solution to correct the problem if possible would be to offer the 12 model year with its current configuration, with the option of some kind of additional horsepower bump or package. I’m by no means a mechanic or gear-head so I don’t even know if it’s possible, but if it is maybe it’s worth considering. I don’t think 650 horsepower is needed given the technological advantage the ZL1 will have, but just enough to make it a drivers race in my opinion. I know you can mod your car but that’s not the point, the point is I want it from the factory as is…..because whatever mods you do, so can the competition and your right back where you started from. Something deep down insides me tell me that the performance numbers on the ZL1 that were released are underrated because we all thought they would surpass the CTS-V in every category. If that’s the case the Camaro team is smiling right about know, because they know something we don’t…. It was released months ago about the twin turbo ect… (June - http://www.autoguide.com/auto-news/2...harged-v8.html) that the GT500 was going from 5.4 to 5.8 at 620+ hp, and no one was worried then, but as soon as 650 came out everyone started to panic… me included… but I have to keep the faith, and that faith is, as soon as it was speculated on the 620 hp, Chevy started making changes, and things were being tweaked, to dial in the numbers needed to compete and win……I hope I’m right……….

IMVHO....there is no reason to panic until the '13 GT500 hits the streets, and even then...so what? Based on what I've read...they are going to be drastically different cars to drive...and the ZL1 is the "whole package". Balanced, refined, and FAST. On top of that...I know I'm going to LOVE my car to death...no amount of horsepower in a Mustang is going to change that...

There was once a thread around here that asked how much horsepower alone a standard SS would need to lap the 'Ring as fast as the ZL1 did it....many agreed, at least double factory...or over 1000....I don't see this as being much different....except for the horsepower rating, the ZL1 has MUCH in its favor over the GT500.

Chevy is confident in their offering versus the competition, even after FoMoCo's announcement. That's good enough for me.

Wait and see...."have faith" Camaro bretheren!!

[DanSS24]

Originally Posted by eric n

Mustang guy here. I will never understand the animosity of chevy and ford guys. That said, the zl is an AMAZING chunk of AMERICAN GO FAST! The Shelby will be also. Who will be faster remains to be seen. I don't understand how ford could say yes until they had the car finalized. There is a fair amount of dialing in before production 2013 shelbys will be ready for THE RING.

No doubt the ZL has more sophisticated suspension would could absolutely give it the win. That said, the SS has more sophisticated suspension than the 5.0 and yet track times have been highly competitive. Ultimately anyone who has either of these cars has a freakin' beast and clearly one of the finest pony cars ever made.

Enjoy your cars boys, these are absolutely the GOOD OL' DAYS. And in the very near future the economy and the Greenies will have a profound impact on the world of American Muscle...

Well said. BTW...better put those guns away, they look too lethal to me.

[Uneducated Guess]

I'd like to see what the ZL1 could do on the ring with cup tires and sans 30 pounds of test equipment in the trunk.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Uneducated Guess

I'd like to see what the ZL1 could do on the ring with cup tires and sans 30 pounds of test equipment in the trunk.

(And however much that roll-cage added...what do you think...50lb? 75? That could be an extra 100lbs total......stupid safety concerns...)

I've GOT to believe we'd see times quicker than 7:30 with cup tires...

But I've got a better idea....Let's have the both of them "Race to the death"....

[Uneducated Guess]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

(And however much that roll-cage added...what do you think...50lb? 75? That could be an extra 100lbs total......stupid safety concerns...)

I've GOT to believe we'd see times quicker than 7:30 with cup tires...

But I've got a better idea....Let's have the both of them "Race to the death"....

death race sounds like the best option out of any I've heard. I don't think they'll get rid of the roll cage though.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Uneducated Guess

death race sounds like the best option out of any I've heard. I don't think they'll get rid of the roll cage though.

Death of the car....of course....

[Uneducated Guess]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Death of the car....of course....

oh....yeah....of course. That's what I meant as well.

they need to make a "sarcasm" font.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Uneducated Guess

oh....yeah....of course. That's what I meant as well.

they need to make a "sarcasm" font.

Type that into google....

http://glennmcanally.com/sarcastic/

[Uneducated Guess]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

Type that into google....

http://glennmcanally.com/sarcastic/

why is this not an option on here?

[Deki]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

(And however much that roll-cage added...what do you think...50lb? 75? That could be an extra 100lbs total......stupid safety concerns...)

I've GOT to believe we'd see times quicker than 7:30 with cup tires...

But I've got a better idea....Let's have the both of them "Race to the death"....

You take the cages out of these cars and you'll probably add 8-12 seconds to their lap times. It adds a lot to the stiffness of the car, and the negative factor of the added 100lbs. or so if more than worth it. Look at how much more improved the Laguna Seca Boss is over the standard ones when equipped with same tires and only having the rear cross brace installed. It's about 1 second per lap quicker. Caged cars run approximately 2.5-3 faster on average around 3 mile tracks, so on a 13 mile course, it's an exponentially larger gap, especially considering how many turns there are on the 'Ring.

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by Deki

You take the cages out of these cars and you'll probably add 8-12 seconds to their lap times. It adds a lot to the stiffness of the car, and the negative factor of the added 100lbs. or so if more than worth it. Look at how much more improved the Laguna Seca Boss is over the standard ones when equipped with same tires and only having the rear cross brace installed. It's about 1 second per lap quicker. Caged cars run approximately 2.5-3 faster on average around 3 mile tracks, so on a 13 mile course, it's an exponentially larger gap, especially considering how many turns there are on the 'Ring.

I don't think it'll have that big of an effect on a Camaro coupe. It's already very stiff, beyond the need for much bracing unless you're looking for every tiny ounce of performance out of it. And I could be mistaken....but these aren't designed to stiffen the chassis...they're safety cages, isn't that different?

[Deki]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I don't think it'll have that big of an effect on a Camaro coupe. It's already very stiff, beyond the need for much bracing unless you're looking for every tiny ounce of performance out of it. And I could be mistaken....but these aren't designed to stiffen the chassis...they're safety cages, isn't that different?

They make a pretty big difference. Hell a strut tower brace makes a pretty noticeable difference on a road course. A whole cage makes the whole car stiffer.

Good read here

http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/p...n/viewall.html