Now that the ZL1 is out, what do you want the Z28 to be?

[LED Crazy]

Can we all agree to make the halo lights standard with fog lights (no silly DRL's)

[ddunerider]

Its going to have to beat this!!!http://www.ford.com/cars/mustang/2012mustangboss/

[LOWDOWN]

With deference to all who have spoken before this post, the original Piggins-conceived and Estes-approved Z/28, circa '67 (of which 602 were built) was a homologation special for Trans Am-series racing...spoilers optional, light weight aluminum intake from Corvette's 327-350 hp, 15 X 6" disc brake-compatible rally wheels, one engine (under 305" as per SCCA rules), one type of transmission, identifying stripes but no identifying badging. Non-conflicting RPOs available. Post-announcement release and availability and, therefore, slowly exposed. Weren't in the brochures.

For '68, see above, save "302" and/or "Z/28" badging.

For '69, see above, with 15 X 7" rally wheels. Cross Rams/Off-Road Camshaft/Headers were Dealer-install Parts-only. ZL2 Cowl Induction Hood, and JL8 4WDB, were available RPOs, new for '69. COPO 9560 (ZL1-engined) and 9561 (L72-engined) were LPO, and unknown to many Chev Dealers. In fact, they were unknown to most customers until well after '69 order cut-off...

Now to the present...

There seems to be a "blurring" of anticipation for what resembles a "Z/28" cross-pollinated with "1LE". It was the 1LE that was a "stripper" Camaro option available on Gen-3 and -4 models that generally deleted A/C, demanded crank windows and an elemental radio, while including suspension and/or bushing and/or brake upgrades.

So, who wants a 1LE (feature-delete 1SS), and who wants a Z/28?

[thePill]

THIS...



OR THIS....

[midnighter]

The Z28 moniker can be passed over to the Cruze. Oops I shouldn't have gone there

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by LOWDOWN

With deference to all who have spoken before this post, the original Piggins-conceived and Estes-approved Z/28, circa '67 (of which 602 were built) was a homologation special for Trans Am-series racing...spoilers optional, light weight aluminum intake from Corvette's 327-350 hp, 15 X 6" disc brake-compatible rally wheels, one engine (under 305" as per SCCA rules), one type of transmission, identifying stripes but no identifying badging. Non-conflicting RPOs available. Post-announcement availability and, therefore, slowly exposed.

For '68, see above, save "302" and/or "Z/28" badging and 15 X 7" rally rims (as per '68 Vette).

For '69, see above. Cross Rams/Off-Road Camshaft/Headers were Parts-only. ZL2 Cowl Induction Hood, and ZL8 4WDB, were available RPOs, new for '69. COPO 9560 (ZL1-engined) and 9561 (L72-engined) were LPO, and unknown to many Chev Dealers. In fact, they were unknown to most customers until well after '69 order cut-off...

Now to the present...

There seems to be a "blurring" of anticipation for what resembles a "Z/28" cross-pollinated with "1LE". It was the 1LE that was a "stripper" Camaro option available on Gen-3 and -4 models that generally deleted A/C, demanded crank windows and an elemental radio, while including suspension and/or bushing and/or brake upgrades.

So, who wants a 1LE (feature-delete 1SS), and who wants a Z/28?

It seems to me that either formula is impossible in a pure form, today. I'd expect to see a little of both make it into a Z28...if they do it.

Originally Posted by thePill

THIS...
OR THIS....

[SQUALO]

Basically, I think the Z28 should be the most powerful Camaro without a supercharger, that can be produced.
They have to be able to be enjoyed on the road, and compete at the track, with
AUTOMATIC & MANUAL TRANSMISSIONS AVAILABLE ...PERIOD, END OF STORY!

[Dman]

Lurker here...my thoughts...

-They will probably let the 5.5 motor debut in the corvette and will save it for either the mid-life refresh, or the full model update to the camaro. I think they should stick with the 6.2 but maybe squeeze an extra 10hp out of it by a complementing exhaust or pcm upgrade. OR give it a "Key" like they do with the Boss Mustang (liked that idea).
-Give it a much more basic (for weight and price purpose) suspension upgrade (like adjustable coils or more "tuned") but use the brakes and similar tire size from the zl1.
-Give it the zl1 front end but no lower bumper lights, use them for additional brake ducting.
-Use the SSX wheels or some similar wheels in black or a dark grey painted color with same weight savings as the zl1 wheels.
-Remove sound deadening materials from interior.
-All carbon, differently designed hood (painted).
-And face it, its going to have to use an otherwise normal interior save the backseat. But thats where they can be creative and remove them all together, make it an option to be deleted, or make the super easy to remove.
-Strengthen the body in places, maybe some more ridged cross-members or bracing so that the body essentially stays the same (price). Doing this to the zl1?

All of this can be done on the line during assembly. Save for bracing possibilities, its hard to believe that it would add job time at all.

[SQUALO]

Here's a suggestion made by another forum member, that sit's well with me, and probably many others as well:

5.0L alluminum V8 or a FI 3.6 V6 putting down around 450 WHP.

[calbert1999]

Originally Posted by fastfaster

i think the z-28 should come with the lsx 454.

I hope not. Otherwise, you're going to have a lot of broken Camaro's considernig most people are putting SC's on their engines, and the 454 is not made for boosted applications.
But, maybe a 427 would be nice.
Actually, it would have been a good idea to put the current 370 in the SS, 416 in the 2SS, and then a 427 in the Z28 / ZL1, that would have been a good idea and a more intelligent transition for the higher powered models.
Regardless, by the time the ZL1 hits the road, it will be just in time for me to flash by with a 427ci. @ about 1000hp's.

[Mosher]

Originally Posted by midnighter

The Z28 moniker can be passed over to the Cruze. Oops I shouldn't have gone there

HEY!! WHAT'S WRONG WITH TEH CRUZE GETTING A Z MONIKER!?!?!?



I kinda agree with what was said earlier. I suspect that GM is going to make a Turbo Camaro at some point. A TT 6 for the strip / track wouldn't surprise me, we know the ZL1 is going after the GT500, so we will see where a Z28 would fit.

[calbert1999]

Originally Posted by Cam#7

No way this expensive ZL1 outsells a Z-28 unless GM quits making the Corvette. Anybody else thinks this ZL1 will outsell a Z-28 that is $5,000 more than a SS with F4 suspension, 475 HP naturally aspirated engine and a decent hood and front-end????

I won't be purchasing a Z28 / ZL1 or any other Z Camaro. My SS is the original G5, top of the line 2SS and it's already doing 475rwhp. NA.
So, why would I buy a ZL1 or Z28?
Besides, that; GM didn't meet my expectations on the SS, so I don't expect they would meet them on a Z28 or ZL1 either, and I'd end up spending $$$ on putting the right parts on the vehicle so it performs the way it should have "stock".

[GrnMchin]

Personally I think the ZL1 is getting a lot of ooo's and aaaahh's, because it's new and SC. For me it missed the mark. The styling is ok but the Leno styling would have been a ton better. The suspension is the only thing that is the highlight. The interior again is ho hum. The 2010 was a car that got me to spend cash that I really didn't need to, but was an out of the park home run. I was hoping for a Z28 and will keep our 2010 and wait. If the Z28 never happens with in 5 yrs then I will find myself in a place that I have never been, at a Ford dealership..

[Mr. Wyndham]

Originally Posted by GrnMchin

Personally I think the ZL1 is getting a lot of ooo's and aaaahh's, because it's new and SC. For me it missed the mark. The styling is ok but the Leno styling would have been a ton better. The suspension is the only thing that is the highlight. The interior again is ho hum. The 2010 was a car that got me to spend cash that I really didn't need to, but was an out of the park home run. I was hoping for a Z28 and will keep our 2010 and wait. If the Z28 never happens or with in 5 yrs then I will find myself in a place that I have never been at a Ford dealership..

Really? Do you not like the power? I guess I'm finding it difficult to understand how the 2010 Interior can be a home run, and this one is "ho-hum"...when very few things changed...

And styling, is of course, objective....compared to the ZL1, I look at the Leno car now and see an SS with slots cut in the hood, and a diffuser added to the chin. I guess I'm seeing the ZL1's bodywork in both an aesthetic and functional light...combined it makes for a beautiful piece of work in my eyes.