Back in a Camaro!

[Steve Dallas]

So, I've been slumming in a Z06 since January. I bought it really to track it for the season and move on. Well...I just moved on after having an amazing 17000 miles in the Z06.

Just traded it in for a new 2017 Camaro 1LT (the 4-banger turbo). My insurance dropped to half of what I had been paying, and I bought this one to be a daily driver with better gas mileage.

I had planned to keep the Z06 until later in September, however some issues with the car worried me enough to trade it in today. When I started the engine to leave on a trip to Oregon, I heard gurgling. I thought it might be the coolant, which I checked and seemed fine. I later got a low oil pressure warning and to add oil. I added a quart, and oil pressure was fine at that point. I continued to drive, keeping an eye on the oil pressure. About 100 miles further on, when I was stopped and the engine idling, I heard the gurgle again and looked at the oil pressure. I got no warning, however the pressure dropped almost to 0 then came back up right away. I found a parts store since I only carry 1 quart for emergencies...and picked up 3 more. I put in 2 quarts of oil and checked the oil level, which was in the right range.

I have a feeling the dealership that changed my oil last didn't put in enough oil, however maybe it was something else as well. The dry sump system holds a lot more oil than a regular oil system, and I've heard of that happening often. And, the oil was changed at the same dealership that spent 7 hours trying to change my tires before sending me home with a loaner, and ended up not having it complete until the next day.

I don't have any oil in my garage, so it wasn't leaking...only other way I can see it burning lots of oil is because of running it hard in the heat. I'm more inclined to think it was the dealership being idiots though. Anyways...it just prompted me to sell it earlier in case it really was a mechanical problem. I've had my fun with the car.

Here's the new car...

[CamaroFred]

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

So, I've been slumming in a Z06 since January. I bought it really to track it for the season and move on. Well...I just moved on after having an amazing 17000 miles in the Z06.

Just traded it in for a new 2017 Camaro 1LT (the 4-banger turbo). My insurance dropped to half of what I had been paying, and I bought this one to be a daily driver with better gas mileage.

I had planned to keep the Z06 until later in September, however some issues with the car worried me enough to trade it in today. When I started the engine to leave on a trip to Oregon, I heard gurgling. I thought it might be the coolant, which I checked and seemed fine. I later got a low oil pressure warning and to add oil. I added a quart, and oil pressure was fine at that point. I continued to drive, keeping an eye on the oil pressure. About 100 miles further on, when I was stopped and the engine idling, I heard the gurgle again and looked at the oil pressure. I got no warning, however the pressure dropped almost to 0 then came back up right away. I found a parts store since I only carry 1 quart for emergencies...and picked up 3 more. I put in 2 quarts of oil and checked the oil level, which was in the right range.

I have a feeling the dealership that changed my oil last didn't put in enough oil, however maybe it was something else as well. The dry sump system holds a lot more oil than a regular oil system, and I've heard of that happening often. And, the oil was changed at the same dealership that spent 7 hours trying to change my tires before sending me home with a loaner, and ended up not having it complete until the next day.

I don't have any oil in my garage, so it wasn't leaking...only other way I can see it burning lots of oil is because of running it hard in the heat. I'm more inclined to think it was the dealership being idiots though. Anyways...it just prompted me to sell it earlier in case it really was a mechanical problem. I've had my fun with the car.

...

Congratulations on the new Camaro!
Awesome image, I like that you included the sun/shade contrast/color tones.

That 2.0T should be a good motor and you will probably surprise a few from a stop. But NOT AN SS. I will humor you though. I will start in 3rd.

Did you get the HIDs? That was the selling point for RS when I bought my Camaro.
My eyes aren't getting any younger

Oh, and for your 'orvette and probably your new 2.0T.
When you have a motor that is built 'loose' you have a motor that will consume oil.
The reason some motors are built loose is that they are expected to see heavy service.
Heat is the main factor. Once they are up to temp they will run 8-10 hours between fuel stops.
They will be worked as long as they can, as hard as they can.
They are used in public vehicles (police/ fire...), taxis, limos, and trucks.
Street machines. Like C5s or CamaroSS.
Sometimes you need a motor that consumes oil to extend it's life.

Almost all consumer motors are built tight. Clearances are smaller because the anticipated use doesn't indicate heavy loads. So the heat factor is smaller, cooling with oil isn't necessary. And the consumers don't want to have to add a quart of oil with every fill.
So that works for most people.

I guess what I am getting at is that your new Camaro 2.0T is going to mean weekly attention to fluid levels, much the same as your C5 required.

Maybe not, but keep a weekly eye on it for the first few months.

[LCPLPunk]

A new turbo Camaro and no review??? For shame!

Congrats on your purchase!

[Steve Dallas]

Haven't driven it enough to give a good review yet.

I have to say the 4 cyl turbo puts out more power than I expected. Takes a moment to spool up, however once it does the acceleration is damn good.

Handles well too. Compared to my 2010 SS, it handles quite well. Doesn't push into the corner like the SS did. With better tires, it might actually handle corners better than the older SS did.

[Indydriver]

Hard to believe there's any satisfaction in this swap. 650hp to 2-something? Plus gain a few hundred pounds? There has to be more to this story. Financial issues?

[fhrex]

Congrats on your new car....it's beautiful!

[DRKS1D3]

Originally Posted by Indydriver

Hard to believe there's any satisfaction in this swap. 650hp to 2-something? Plus gain a few hundred pounds? There has to be more to this story. Financial issues?

My immediate thought as well. Instead of taking your new Z06 to the dealer and having it checked out (under warranty), you trade it in on a 4 cylinder Camaro? It sounds as if you bit off more than you could chew (financially speaking).

[hrpiii]

Still with the blue I see...lol. Love it and look forward to hearing more on your reviews.

[Barbosa]

Welcome back to the Camaro World

[Steve Dallas]

Originally Posted by DRKS1D3

My immediate thought as well. Instead of taking your new Z06 to the dealer and having it checked out (under warranty), you trade it in on a 4 cylinder Camaro? It sounds as if you bit off more than you could chew (financially speaking).

I suppose you could say it was financial.

I went from 0 dollars a month car payment to 0 dollars a month. I did save on insurance, going from 500+ a month to 200 a month. And there's gas.

See...I left work about 4 years ago to travel around the nation and enjoy car stuff like Hot Rod Power Tour and other stuff. Haven't had a job since. I have been looking in the last year, however not that hard.

I am trying to reduce expenses since I don't have a job right now. I'm planning on moving closer to Seattle since trying to find a job in an area I prefer hasn't worked out (mostly because I haven't been trying to find a job that hard), however most of the jobs in the state are in the Seattle area...2 hours away). I'd like to make sure the money I have lasts 5-6 years rather than 1-3 years. I had planned on only having the Z06 a season, more on a whim....I really wanted a chance to track it for a season and enjoy it.

Mostly this was prompted by going from 2 cars to 1, making it easier to move/live in the North Seattle area. Having sold my daily driver, I wasn't going to keep driving the Z06 in winter weather here.

[DRKS1D3]

Originally Posted by DRKS1D3

My immediate thought as well. Instead of taking your new Z06 to the dealer and having it checked out (under warranty), you trade it in on a 4 cylinder Camaro? It sounds as if you bit off more than you could chew (financially speaking).

Originally Posted by Steve Dallas

I suppose you could say it was financial.

I went from 0 dollars a month car payment to 0 dollars a month. I did save on insurance, going from 500+ a month to 200 a month. And there's gas.

See...I left work about 4 years ago to travel around the nation and enjoy car stuff like Hot Rod Power Tour and other stuff. Haven't had a job since. I have been looking in the last year, however not that hard.

I am trying to reduce expenses since I don't have a job right now. I'm planning on moving closer to Seattle since trying to find a job in an area I prefer hasn't worked out (mostly because I haven't been trying to find a job that hard), however most of the jobs in the state are in the Seattle area...2 hours away). I'd like to make sure the money I have lasts 5-6 years rather than 1-3 years. I had planned on only having the Z06 a season, more on a whim....I really wanted a chance to track it for a season and enjoy it.

Mostly this was prompted by going from 2 cars to 1, making it easier to move/live in the North Seattle area. Having sold my daily driver, I wasn't going to keep driving the Z06 in winter weather here.

Ok...you quit your job to gallivant around the country going from car show to car show like a vagabond, buy cars you only plan to keep for 3-4 months, you're not really looking for work...etc., etc., etc.. Interesting to say the least.

How old are you if I may ask? Either you're very young or you've been in at least 5 accidents per month for the past 20 years. Your insurance rates are atrocious. Yikes!

[JerTM]

I saw someone trade in a z06 because it was smoking. Turns out he had no idea how to check the oil on a dry sump system and had it about 3 quarts over filled. I'm willing to bet you weren't low at all on oil. There is a pretty strict procedure and a quick check is not part of that procedure. But either way, you got rid of your problem.

[DRKS1D3]

Originally Posted by JerTM

I saw someone trade in a z06 because it was smoking. Turns out he had no idea how to check the oil on a dry sump system and had it about 3 quarts over filled. I'm willing to bet you weren't low at all on oil. There is a pretty strict procedure and a quick check is not part of that procedure. But either way, you got rid of your problem.

Agreed. Just blindly dumping oil into an engine is asking for trouble.

"Eh...2-3 quarts oughta do it.".

[ssrs2lt]

Congrats on the new camaro. Enjoyed your pics from your adventures..esp the track videos,trip pics etc