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Is there a light at the end of the Z28 tunnel?

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Old 02-18-2009, 07:07 AM
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Originally Posted by jg95z28
I figure this much... as the hood is already aluminum, there isn't much way to lighten up the front end except by using exotic and expensive parts. (Carbon fiber, etc.) I still argue with those that say the LSA would be hundreds of pounds more than the LS3. (We've yet to see real numbers on the mass of the complete engine assemblies.) Therefore, seeing a performance increase between ~125-150hp over the LS3/L99 package, I'd surely sacrifice the little added weight.

In a perfect world GM could merely use the already developed LS376/480 crate motor which virtually adds no weight over the LS3 yet pumps out almost 500hp. But then they'd have to certify it for production, which could delay it more, and simply saying it has 50+ more hp over the LS3 may not be enough to justify its existance without adding forced induction.

I guess they could always offer a drag package like Ford and Chrysler are doing and use whatever engine they want. But then we wouldn't get to drive it on the street.
good way to figure out the weight difference in the ls9 and the ls3 would be to take the vette compared to the zr1. it would give you a pretty close number. assuming there are some other mods to the car. but at least you can see that they would change more on the car than just dropping a more powerful motor in. the odds are they would do SOME lightening of the body. or it may be heavier. i dont know.
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Old 02-18-2009, 07:09 AM
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Originally Posted by yellow_99_gt
I don't know, a lot of the after market hoods for the new Mustangs are heavier than the stock aluminum one, and even a full carbon fiber one only saves 5-10lbs.
they must be using alot of resin and fiber glass. the hoods ive ever seen for my old trans am were always lighter than stock.
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Old 02-18-2009, 08:37 AM
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Hrm...
I guess they are just gunna have to make the whole car out of aluminum. Front fenders shouldnt be too bad, but the rear sections looks like its gunna be a pain to make!
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Old 02-18-2009, 09:13 AM
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arent the rear fenders all part of the stamping of the body? so basically if you wanted to lighten up the rear fenders you would have to cut them out and weld in new ones,
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Old 02-18-2009, 09:38 AM
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why not just load the trunk and back seat with helium balloons?
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Old 02-18-2009, 09:54 AM
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Originally Posted by 2010_5thgen
good way to figure out the weight difference in the ls9 and the ls3 would be to take the vette compared to the zr1. it would give you a pretty close number.
My understanding of the ZR1 assembly is that its far more that swapping motors in the base Corvette. Furthermore, while the Z06 is probably closer, there are still some basic differences between the two that would make the math your proposal far from "close".

GM knows the weight differences between the LS3 and LSA (which btw is what this theoretical Z/28 would get, not the LS9), we just simply haven't dug it out of them yet.

FWIW, I believe someone will have a 50-state legal bolt-on supercharger kit for the LS3 long before we ever see a Z/28 make production. Perhaps that is a route many will take.
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Old 02-18-2009, 09:57 AM
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Originally Posted by jg95z28
GM knows the weight differences between the LS3 and LSA (which btw is what this theoretical Z/28 would get, not the LS9), we just simply haven't dug it out of them yet.

.

Yes we have. You just simply refuse to believe it.
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Old 02-18-2009, 11:11 AM
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im sure alot of companies will be doing ls9 or lsa conversion kits on the ls3 camaro.
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Old 02-18-2009, 04:13 PM
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Originally Posted by Z284ever
Yes we have. You just simply refuse to believe it.
I must've missed it Charlie, what is the official weight of each complete assembly.
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Old 02-18-2009, 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by Z284ever
I suspect that you'll be sadly disappointed. 500 pounds is anything but easy to remove - unless you intend to completely gut your car.
or spend lots of money doing it - Dymag could help in the wheel department, but I think alot of F5 guys would balk at a 8-10k wheel option!
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Old 02-18-2009, 05:09 PM
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Unhappy Kiss the Z28 Goodbye

Check out this article.

GM disbands unit that creates high-performance vehicles

I don't think we'll ever see a Z28 in the current Camaro. By the time GM is financially strong enough, I don't think a low mileage car like a LSA Camaro will be possible. Maybe in the 6th gen Camaro will have a Z28?
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Old 02-18-2009, 05:46 PM
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Looks like all hope for a Z28 is gone
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Old 02-18-2009, 07:04 PM
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Originally Posted by 94Camaro_Z_28
Looks like all hope for a Z28 is gone

Yup....I'd tend to agree.
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Old 02-18-2009, 07:13 PM
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Originally Posted by John_H
Check out this article.

GM disbands unit that creates high-performance vehicles

I don't think we'll ever see a Z28 in the current Camaro. By the time GM is financially strong enough, I don't think a low mileage car like a LSA Camaro will be possible. Maybe in the 6th gen Camaro will have a Z28?
Thats not cool, however Ford did something similar with its SVT operations (err, well folded them into Ford Performance Group) - this may not be a death sentence for the Z/28 since Ford has the Raptor and SHO in addition to the GT500. All vehicles which would have been under the SVT banner had it still been in exsistance as a seperate enity.
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Old 02-18-2009, 08:10 PM
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Originally Posted by 94Camaro_Z_28
Looks like all hope for a Z28 is gone

Yup. Maybe on the 6th gen.
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