GT500 Competition?

Hey guys well I am a new member here, and by my name you can guess I am anxiously awaiting the new camaro and have decided to devote as much of my money as i can to save for one, as of now i have a 2003 saturn vue v6 awd great daily driver especially with the winters around here. But i have one question, with ford coming out with the new gt500 do you think that chevrolet will also come out with maybe a supercharged SS version to compete, just would like to know your thoughts on this subject.

I expect the closest competition to the GT500 to the Z28. I doubt it will have any force induction though. The realistic best we could get will be the LS7. But that is probably a pipe dream. I’d expect an 4xx hp LS2 Z28 to be GM's top Camaro engine. However even if the Z doesn’t top the GT500 in straight line performance, I’d assume Chevy will make sure it would put up better numbers in the twisties and I’ll guarantee it will come out with a lower price tag.

I expect the closest competition to the GT500 to the Z28. I doubt it will have any force induction though. The realistic best we could get will be the LS7. But that is probably a pipe dream. I’d expect an 4xx hp LS2 Z28 to be GM's top Camaro engine. However even if the Z doesn’t top the GT500 in straight line performance, I’d assume Chevy will make sure it would put up better numbers in the twisties and I’ll guarantee it will come out with a lower price tag.


couldn't agree more :thumb: , although i still have my fingers crossed for the LS7 :D

I hold high hopes, maybe im naive, but i think a F.I. Camaro would be cool and I'd sure as hell buy it too. But the camaro without a doubt should be able to out handle the gt500, hopefully.

I hold high hopes, maybe im naive, but i think a F.I. Camaro would be cool and I'd sure as hell buy it too. But the camaro without a doubt should be able to out handle the gt500, hopefully.


Oh I agree it would be very cool to see some factory F.I. LSx engines in any of GM’s cars.

However it really just comes down to cost. You can’t really just slap a SC on an engine without beefing up everything else first. And the LSx engines are so great at putting out big horse power numbers NA there really is no point.

Anyway, welcome to the board. This is forum is a gold mine of 5th gen info, a lot of cool insiders and in my opinion the best message board on the net.

thanks stars im glad to be here, I heard allot of good things and thats why i signed up

I'd rather have the biggest baddest NA LSx they have and bolt on the power adder myself. :D

I'd guess myself that there will be the V6 base and the Z/28 to start.

They have to concentrate on selling those before they cater to the enthusiasts, or risk a repeating of history....

Although an LS7 would be great.... :)

I expect the closest competition to the GT500 to the Z28. I doubt it will have any force induction though. The realistic best we could get will be the LS7. But that is probably a pipe dream. I’d expect an 4xx hp LS2 Z28 to be GM's top Camaro engine. However even if the Z doesn’t top the GT500 in straight line performance, I’d assume Chevy will make sure it would put up better numbers in the twisties and I’ll guarantee it will come out with a lower price tag.
Well the Z28 SHOULD be the fastest camaro.......... But Chevy has gone crazy with this SS thing i doubt the Z28 will be faster in the 5th gen.

I don't know if GM will truely care that much.

If anything it will be a very limited production special model to compete.


FI LSx exists but whether it finds home in a camaro for the right price i don't know.


LS7 would compete for mag comparisons (stock vs stock) but the internet and street competition will concern a pulley, tune, etc GT500 which will be a 500rwp car. I think a FI offering from GM would be the only thing that could fairly be compared, esp in terms of modded cars.


I say focus on price and weight. Let Ford make the blown dyno queens.

I'd guess myself that there will be the V6 base and the Z/28 to start.



Actually expect GM to bring the Z28 back to its roots as the top Camaro; sort of like the Z06. The SS with be the mid level after the Z is introduced. Convertibles should follow the second year of production and finally the Z28 the third year.

Well the Z28 SHOULD be the fastest camaro.......... But Chevy has gone crazy with this SS thing i doubt the Z28 will be faster in the 5th gen.

Oh I couldn’t disagree more.

But lets not start the SS – Z28 debate.

I’ve heard from a certain “higher ups” around here that the Z will be back on top.;)

Actually expect GM to bring the Z28 back to its roots as the top Camaro; sort of like the Z06. The SS with be the mid level after the Z is introduced. Convertibles should follow the second year of production and finally the Z28 the third year.

mark my words, it won't happen.

Base model = rs (v6)
mid level = z28 (v8)
top level = ss (larger v8)

The SS wont be out for a few years, if the g5 is an 08, the SS wont be out until '11 unless theyre selling super well, and then theyll rush it out

mark my words, it won't happen.

Base model = rs (v6)
mid level = z28 (v8)
top level = ss (larger v8)

The SS wont be out for a few years, if the g5 is an 08, the SS wont be out until '11 unless theyre selling super well, and then theyll rush it out

Care to place a friendly wager?:D

I'd rather have the biggest baddest NA LSx they have and bolt on the power adder myself. :D

Easier said than done though. It's just not as simple as bolting on a power adder and calling it a day....assuming you want to run decent boost levels (10+psi). Factory FI motors have their pluses in that regard because they were initially built with boost in mind whereas the N/A wasn't.

I'm sure you knew that :D, but that's why i'd personally take a well-designed factory F/I motor over a N/A one any day of the week. Cars like the Skyline GTR, 03+ Cobra, Supra TT, and Buick GN's have benefited greatly from being boosted straight out of the factory.

As for the GT500, i don't know if chevy will have a camaro competitor for it. Remember, Ford has ventured into areas (with mustangs like the Cobra R's and SVO mustangs) that camaro hasn't ventured into and who knows, this might turn out to be one of those areas. Also, Mustang has more breathing room because there is no corvette-like car in the lineup with the mustang serving as the sole flagship performance car in the lineup. Only as of late with the intro of the 550hp Ford GT have we seen a higher performing flagship model than the Cobra, but the Ford GT is only temporary and costs 150k. So Mustang still has alot of room to grow on (in terms of performance and price$$). Fords lineup allows them to have a 450-500hp Cobra coupe costing around 40k and a Cobra convertible nearing 45k. I don't know if corvette allows that much flexibility or leg room with camaro.

Having said that, as long as cars like the z28 and SS deliver great performance at a great bargain price, i wouldn't really fuss over the lack of a 500hp Ls7 powered 40-45k camaro (even though it would still be nice to have for bragging rights:D ).

Care to place a friendly wager?:D
sure:cool:

Care to place a friendly wager?:D

About which will realistically become the top model? Given GM's recent use of SS (only exception being corvette where SS doesn't exist), i wouldn't bet against it even though i too would like to see the z28 up top.

Just the nature of GM's SS strategy with the 4th gens and with the current crop of performance trims. I highly doubt they'll go back on it. Only way that i think that'll happen will be if SS didn't exist on the camaro at all just like the corvette.

sure:cool:

ok, what would ya like to bet?:p

ok, what would ya like to bet?:p
hows about a philly cheese steak for me and hmmm....i dunno whats something regional over there

hows about a philly cheese steak for me and hmmm....i dunno whats something regional over there


How about a nice big plate of Fajitas?

Ok your on!:D

Basically who ever loses buys the other one dinner?

I'll send you a gift card to some restaurant if I lose, you the same.

Sound good?

How about a nice big plate of Fajitas?

Ok your on!:D

Basically who ever loses buys the other one dinner?

I'll send you a gift card to some restaurant if I lose, you the same.

Sound good?
im so sure about ill win, ill drive to philly, buy a cheese steak, pack it in ice and overnight it to you.

im so sure about ill win, ill drive to philly, buy a cheese steak, pack it in ice and overnight it to you.

:lol:

Alright buddy! Sounds good. :D

I'll just send you a gift card, because I dont think mexican food will ship too well.

But I'm not too worried about that.....;)

Extra onions on my philly please!

The Camaro does not need to compete with these uber-performance Mustangs to be successful.

The Camaro does not need to compete with these uber-performance Mustangs to be successful.

Although it appears that it will..................


And stars1010, enjoy your Philly cheese steak.

Although it appears that it will..................


And stars1010, enjoy your Philly cheese steak.

it's comforting to hear that from you Charlie.


and just remember stars......theres already a higher stakes wager goin on around here :D .....check the sig.

it's comforting to hear that from you Charlie.


and just remember stars......theres already a higher stakes wager goin on around here :D .....check the sig.

:lol:

Food is good enough for me

it's comforting to hear that from you Charlie.

I'm still skeptical, but am making no wagers:D.

For me, it'll fall inline with "i'll believe it when i see it" just cause it's hard for me to fathom it due to GM's current strategy with SS and the 4th gens. Sure, everyone keeps pointing to the top corvette being a Z, but corvette doesn't have an SS trim either so it's apples to oranges.

Believe me, i want z28 to be on top, but i just don't think it'll happen. I would like to be wrong :).

Ok, now that we've established that no one knows what will be the best performing model in the Camaro line up... Whatever it is, will it be near the 450hp GT500? Is that the HP number for the GT500?

GM does not lose horsepower wars.....

Will someone give me the short synopsis on the Z/28-SS etymology/history/whatever.


In short, in '67 there was little known RPO for homologation of Chevrolet's Trans Am effort, the "Z/28". It featured the DZ302, a high revving 5 liter motor (327 bore with 283 crank I believe), that featured solid lifters and had the option of a cross ram dual quad intake. I BELIEVE it also featured a tighter suspension and had at least the option of 4 wheel disc brakes, if not standard. The SS was, as it is now, aimed at more of the boulevard cruiser/bruiser, available with engine choices from the 327 up to a solid liftered 396 (the L78) that was factored at over 400 hp, though Chevy only claimed 375. The DZ302 cars, were wickedly fast, and when equipped with a steep rear-end and the cross ram intake were known for giving the L78's a serious race for the money. By '68 they were more widely known and by 1969 they were a fairly popular package, and truth be told, one of the more beautifully equipped cars out there with the stripes and cowl induction hood.

During the 70's and 80's Z/28's were really the high performance versions, and it wasn't until 96 that Chevy brought back out the SS package, this time as an upgrade to the Z28. Really, IMHO, the preference for alphabetical or alpha-numerics behind the Camaro name is more based on what car originally got you into Camaro's, than any inherent superiority of one or the other. For myself, it was my Dad's 1969, L78 SS, for others it was the Z's. It has been a running joke (or argument) since long before I ever found this place (from what I hear) as to the superiority of the name. Personally, as long as the top version smokes Mustangs I will gladly buy it, even if it is that damn Z/28 #@$%^^%$#@&%&$*P*)*(&*%$#&**$(&^**^(&)*)&*&$^ *^&%$^$&%&^((^&(^ $^$(&(&^%:D

Ok, now that we've established that no one knows what will be the best performing model in the Camaro line up... Whatever it is, will it be near the 450hp GT500? Is that the HP number for the GT500?

GT500's numbers aren't finalized. All Ford said was that it'll surpass 450hp and 450lb-ft tq. So in short, the final hp rating will be anywhere from 450hp to 500hp. Some mags have said the actual rating will be north of 475hp but i don't know what proof they have of that. Guess we'll have a better idea next year.

What we do know is that 450hp will be the bare minimum with the possiblity of a higher rating being very likely. My question isn't what it'll be rated at but what kinda #'s it'll put to the wheels:D. If it's anything like the S/c 4.6 03/04 Cobra's, S/c'd 5.4 Lightning, and S/c'd 5.4 Dohc Ford GT, it should be very underrated.

GM does not lose horsepower wars.....

Like the Silverado SS vs Lightning, or...

or the Silverado SS vs SRT-10 Ram, or...

Cobalt SS vs SRT-4, or.....

Like the Silverado SS vs Lightning, or...

or the Silverado SS vs SRT-10 Ram, or...

Cobalt SS vs SRT-4, or.....

and until recently Corvette vs Viper too

Cobalt SS vs SRT-4, or.........Cobalt vs PT/GT Cruiser(4cyl turbo 230/245)
I know they're not similar cars, but the Cobalt's an "SS"..!.)

Like the Silverado SS vs Lightning, or...

or the Silverado SS vs SRT-10 Ram, or...

Cobalt SS vs SRT-4, or.....

Also.
*03/04 Cobra > GTO (just cause no other GM coupe comes close).

Just an eye opener to some that swear "GM can NEVER lose!"

GM makes excellent and powerful motors, but let's not say they're the be all end all when it comes to hp. Just like any other company, they'll win some and they'll lose some.

:) Like the Silverado SS vs Lightning, or...

or the Silverado SS vs SRT-10 Ram, or...

Cobalt SS vs SRT-4, or.....

ok ok, you got me on those and proably more. But I was trying to go back to the thread when red said that if (more like when) the camaro comes out it will be the top dog hp wise. :)