A lot of people, including myself, have expressed wishes that the Z/28 would be a relatively light weight car, with a hot N/A V8.

It doesn't look like that's the way it's going to happen. The Z/28 will be the GT500 fighter. It will be a heavier car than most would like. Some of that can be attributed to the supercharger and plumbing on the 6.2L LS8, as well as the structural and drivetrain upgrading to handle the power it will put out.

I have a suggestion.

The Camaro SS will be getting the LS3. I've been doing some research, and a mild cam swap, with nothing else but an intake, longtube headers, and some tuning puts the LS3 at or above LS7-level horsepower and torque. LG Motorsports made 500 RWHP and 470 RWTQ with a cam-only swap on a C6 'Vette. The Camaro SS will be lighter than the Z/28, and with just these mild modifications, it would be in the same league power-wise.

Discuss.

 

I've been thinking about the same thing. I was planning on getting the top-level car, but I've started to think the base a modded base V8 may be more to my liking. It makes me mad to think that Chevy is going to detune the LS3 just b/c they don't want the car to have the same power as the Corvette. Its just stupid - its the same engine, keep the power levels the same.

But your example also makes me sad to think of how awesome the car could be with the LS7 and knowing that will never happen. A cam with header swap and you're at 600 hp. It just kills me to know that will never happen, at least as from the factory.

 

I hear you.

Something along those lines would be more to my liking for the Z/28. I can't say what the certification issues would be for a factory package like that. And the blower would probably have more power potential - but so what. The Z/28 is all about balance and poise, and turning it into a nose heavy GT500 clone is not something I'd appreciate.

I'd happily give up 25-50 hp, if I could save 200-300 pounds, several thousand dollars, and get better handling to boot.

 

I don't think anything's written in stone yet, and I can't see them making the Supercharged version anything but an "SS", seeing as how most other Chevy "SS"s are/were.

I see that as helping the "SS" mean something, other than "Premium optioned pkge"... like "premium Power!"..and probably Premium price...

Consistency is one thing GM seems to be lacking, making all "SS"s supercharged or turbocharged, would help tremendously.
Camaro is a great place to establish that.

 

Oh yeah, that part is written in stone. And has been for two years.

 

The problem with that is the cost of adding a H/C package (or just a cam for that matter), long tubes, tune, etc. will far exceed what would be needed to reach the same power goal with the LS8. And that's if the H/C engine even matches the power output of the stock LS8.

Noone has said anything about them detuning the LS3 for the Camaro. For the past 5-6 years now there have been several cars that have the same power ratings as the Corvette. I don't think that is much of an issue anymore.

Properly done the new "top dog" Camaro will handle well enough that even 99.9999% of the members on this board wouldn't notice a difference between it and it's mid-level counterpart. You have to remember that the GT500 was lazily thrown together on an otherwise inferior chassis design. I'm pretty sure that GM won't make that mistake. Hell, the CTS, G8, Nissan's GT-R, as well as more than a few German models all handle exceptionally well while being rather portly.

 

Agreed, the LS3 is a cam and headers away from LS7+ territory, that's already proven.

What makes you think they will "de-tune" it? I'm not talking about paper numbers, I'm talking real HP. The laughable LS1 rating in the Fbody is exhibit number 1.


Here's a radical fix...
LS3 in the SS AND the Z/28 as standard. Z/28 gets optional blown engine. That way, if you want a "lightweight" Z w/ all the hardcore handling/brakes/body mods/tires/wheels/exhaust, you get it. Want max power, opt for the blown engine. Both will already be certifed in the platform. Kind of like the SS-350 and SS-396 from back in the day...now you can have Z/28, and Z/28-STFU.

 

Please elaborate. The all new for 2005 Mustang chassis has proven to be very capable and the GT500 gets some extra bracing over the GT.

And how was the GT500 lazily thrown together? A virtually bullet proof engine and drivetrain in a car that, while heavy, will run low 12's with nothing but tires sounds pretty well thought out to me. I believe most of us would be happy with a Camaro that did the same.

As to the original post, you may match the "stock" power of the supercharged V8 with a cam and headers in the LS3, but what is the engine going to make with a pulley swap and tune!?!?! Only time will tell.....

 

Heck, if(when) the LS3 gets direct injection it would bump power up around 50hp and also improve mileage.

 

Give me a lightweight NA 450 motor any day over a heavy 550hp blown car that can't turn.

 

And to add to your statement even if a modded LS3 matches the supercharged motor stock power, the supercharged motor is still going to make more power and torque everywhere on the tach. A 500 hp LS3 might only be making 300hp at 3000rpm where as the Supercharged engine is gonna be pushing much more, especially down low. The blown motor will still make the modded LS3 feel like it has VTEC.

 

Why does everyone assume the supercharged car can't handle? Has anyone seen one yet to compare? The handling will be fine to everyone except a few dedicated canyon carvers out there. I could care less about the difference between .88g and .90g. If there even is a difference.

 

The modifications I listed aren't more than a few hundred dollars, maybe a little over a grand at worst. With the SS going in the $30K range (estimated), and the Z/28 going in the $40K range (estimated), which one will get you the most bang for your buck?

I'm sure the LS8 (along with the LS9 and LSA) will be monsters with a pulley swap and a tune, but they'll be few and far between. On top of that, how would a lighter 500 HP SS and a heavier 525 HP Z/28 match up on a road course?

 

How many people in the real world are gonna be road racing these things? 99% are just going to be daily drivers who could care less about that extra 1 second faster the other car might be on a course. On the street is where 99% of the people will be running their cars from a stoplight or from a roll, I can't remember the last time I ever heard anyone brag that they outhandled a car. Unless it's a Mazda RX-8 forum. They have to have something to brag about since they have no power and 5ft lb's torque.

 

Check out the link I provided. Neither engine made lower than 350 RWTQ. Look at the graphs - the torque curve is almost linear. It wouldn't fell like a VVT system.