Had a thought on the 2014 ZL1 look - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

BlackinBlack · 04-28-2014, 07:52 AM

On the way to work I was thinking about why the 2014 ZL1 did not get the 2014 refresh....

Most everyone that has followed the history of the ZL1 knows that it was originally going to be the Z28. As most people know car designs take years to develop. So there is a good chance that the original Z28 (ZL1) was designed near the beginning of the Gen 5 launch. That being said it is very likely that the 2014 refresh of the Gen 5 body style was also a few years in the making. So why did ZL1 not get the refresh? Many say the aero or cooling...etc.

Here is my theory. The ZL1 was the Z28 as all evidence has shown. GM at the last moment decided to rename the car and build a fully track oriented Z28 based on people's wants. (LS7, lighter weight, stripped down, etc) By this time the refresh designs had already been done for 2014. So they took the refresh for the ZL1 and used it for the new car.... Z/28. To keep the two cars separate that retained the "old" body style for the ZL1.

It is my conspiracy theory but would explain why the ZL1 was the only car not to get the refresh.

Thoughts?

CamaroTom · 04-28-2014, 08:06 AM

GM has stated they left the ZL1 front the same due to all the engineered aero and cooling designed into the front already and didnt want to start over.

Hamilton2400 · 04-28-2014, 08:14 AM

You need to watch this:

lbls1 · 04-28-2014, 08:49 AM

I think the reasoning for retaining the ZL1's front design was (as Chevy explained it) for two aspects: 1. The aerodynamics of the front design (hood, bumper, air dam, splitter) that will work best with the ZL1. 2. Economics: Chevy decided not to change the front end of the ZL1 because it could have required additional R&D, which of course requires additional funding. With the re-design of the camaro coming in less than two years, the more cost effective thing to do would have been to limit any additional expenditures to what was needed.

THR ZL1 #1 · 04-28-2014, 08:52 AM

The 2014 ZL1 got the rear end refresh . . . clearly stated why the front end was not changed.

BlackinBlack · 04-28-2014, 09:53 AM

OK Think about this:

Aero.... The Z28 produces downforce too (actully more) so the lack of change based on aero really does not make sense.

Cooling....

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355212

In the above thread in an article GM Designer Tom Peters says "The Camaro ZL1, with its 580-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V-8, is really susceptible to heat, but by essentially flipping the Camaro's front fascia for 2014, cooling was improved while also updating the Camaro "

The new design was created to improve cooling based on the experiences they had on the ZL1.

I have read all the "offical" reasons. Please re-read my post. This thread was to float the idea that the "offical" reasons might not be 100% the truth.

I was supposed to be a fun thread...

lbls1 · 04-28-2014, 11:46 AM

Aerodynamics: The ZL1 requires additional hood clearance for the supercharger, and a modified frontal vent opening for the heat exchanger. The '14 front end for the other camaro models accommodate naturally aspired engines without the space and cooling requirements of a supercharger.

Economics: To continue to market the ZL1 with a new front end to accommodate the space and cooling requirements of the supercharger may have warranted more research and design, which of course would require additional funds.

I don't see any other reason as to why Chevy didn't update the front end of the ZL1 beyond the two factors mentioned. (For a change) I actually agree with their design decision for the 2014-'15 camaro.

*The_Blur* · 04-28-2014, 11:51 AM

There's no conspiracy. GM put too much into aerodynamic design to justify changing it so quickly.

HDRDTD · 04-28-2014, 11:59 AM

There is much more to the aerodynamics of the ZL1 front end than just cooling the engine bay and downforce.

04-28-2014, 08:06 AM	#2
CamaroTom Drives: 1/70 2013 BRM 2SS RS 1LE NPP NAV Join Date: Feb 2013 Location: Parrish, Florida Posts: 1,082	GM has stated they left the ZL1 front the same due to all the engineered aero and cooling designed into the front already and didnt want to start over. __________________

04-28-2014, 08:49 AM	#4
lbls1 Drives: 2002 Camaro SS SOM; 2015 Malibu LTZ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 4,022	I think the reasoning for retaining the ZL1's front design was (as Chevy explained it) for two aspects: 1. The aerodynamics of the front design (hood, bumper, air dam, splitter) that will work best with the ZL1. 2. Economics: Chevy decided not to change the front end of the ZL1 because it could have required additional R&D, which of course requires additional funding. With the re-design of the camaro coming in less than two years, the more cost effective thing to do would have been to limit any additional expenditures to what was needed. __________________ '02 CAMARO SS SOM; 5.7L LS1/FLS6B '08 TBSS AWD Black Granite Metallic '15 Malibu LTZ 2LZ Turbo *'14 CAMARO ZL1 Blue Ray Metallic*

04-28-2014, 09:53 AM	#6
BlackinBlack Drives: 2016 Corvette Z06 Blade Silver Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 822	OK Think about this: Aero.... The Z28 produces downforce too (actully more) so the lack of change based on aero really does not make sense. Cooling.... http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=355212 In the above thread in an article GM Designer Tom Peters says "The Camaro ZL1, with its 580-hp 6.2-liter supercharged V-8, is really susceptible to heat, but by essentially flipping the Camaro's front fascia for 2014, cooling was improved while also updating the Camaro " The new design was created to improve cooling based on the experiences they had on the ZL1. I have read all the "offical" reasons. Please re-read my post. This thread was to float the idea that the "offical" reasons might not be 100% the truth. I was supposed to be a fun thread... __________________ 2016 2LZ Z06 Blade Silver 2013 ZL1 BLACK on BLACK <SOLD> Roto-Fab CAI 2010 2SS/RS BLACK on BLACK <SOLD> 3" MBRP 304 Stainless Exhaust Roto-Fab CAI

04-28-2014, 11:46 AM	#7
lbls1 Drives: 2002 Camaro SS SOM; 2015 Malibu LTZ Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 4,022	Aerodynamics: The ZL1 requires additional hood clearance for the supercharger, and a modified frontal vent opening for the heat exchanger. The '14 front end for the other camaro models accommodate naturally aspired engines without the space and cooling requirements of a supercharger. Economics: To continue to market the ZL1 with a new front end to accommodate the space and cooling requirements of the supercharger may have warranted more research and design, which of course would require additional funds. I don't see any other reason as to why Chevy didn't update the front end of the ZL1 beyond the two factors mentioned. (For a change) I actually agree with their design decision for the 2014-'15 camaro. __________________ '02 CAMARO SS SOM; 5.7L LS1/FLS6B '08 TBSS AWD Black Granite Metallic '15 Malibu LTZ 2LZ Turbo *'14 CAMARO ZL1 Blue Ray Metallic* Last edited by lbls1; 04-28-2014 at 12:50 PM.

04-28-2014, 11:51 AM	#8
The_Blur Moderator Drives: 2018 Harley-Davidson Street Bob Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: San Diego Posts: 14,769	There's no conspiracy. GM put too much into aerodynamic design to justify changing it so quickly. __________________ RDP Motorsport//GEN5DIY//Cultrag Performance//JPSS//Rodgets Chevrolet// Operation Demon//Buy at Invoice//RACECARWEAR RESPECT ALL CARS. LOVE YOUR OWN. warn 145:159 ban

04-28-2014, 07:52 AM	#1
BlackinBlack Drives: 2016 Corvette Z06 Blade Silver Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Florida Posts: 822	Had a thought on the 2014 ZL1 look On the way to work I was thinking about why the 2014 ZL1 did not get the 2014 refresh.... Most everyone that has followed the history of the ZL1 knows that it was originally going to be the Z28. As most people know car designs take years to develop. So there is a good chance that the original Z28 (ZL1) was designed near the beginning of the Gen 5 launch. That being said it is very likely that the 2014 refresh of the Gen 5 body style was also a few years in the making. So why did ZL1 not get the refresh? Many say the aero or cooling...etc. Here is my theory. The ZL1 was the Z28 as all evidence has shown. GM at the last moment decided to rename the car and build a fully track oriented Z28 based on people's wants. (LS7, lighter weight, stripped down, etc) By this time the refresh designs had already been done for 2014. So they took the refresh for the ZL1 and used it for the new car.... Z/28. To keep the two cars separate that retained the "old" body style for the ZL1. It is my conspiracy theory but would explain why the ZL1 was the only car not to get the refresh. Thoughts? __________________ 2016 2LZ Z06 Blade Silver 2013 ZL1 BLACK on BLACK <SOLD> Roto-Fab CAI 2010 2SS/RS BLACK on BLACK <SOLD> 3" MBRP 304 Stainless Exhaust Roto-Fab CAI

04-28-2014, 08:52 AM	#5
THR ZL1 #1 Perma Grinning Drives: 2012 Tom Henry Racing ZL1 Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Schaumburg, IL Posts: 452	The 2014 ZL1 got the rear end refresh . . . clearly stated why the front end was not changed.

04-28-2014, 11:59 AM	#9
HDRDTD Drives: 2013 Triple Black ZL1 Vert M6 ECF Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Trenton, Michigan Posts: 7,047	There is much more to the aerodynamics of the ZL1 front end than just cooling the engine bay and downforce.