......I think I have done that myself.

 

If you read enough threads, and listen to the inferences, you will quickly find out which members have the ability to make very reasonable statements about product.

 

Give me a flippin' break.

Anyone not working for GM has no idea what the final production Z/28 will weigh. Anyone working for GM would soon lose their jobs if they divulged this information to a friend, family member or certainly member of this forum.

The numbers being thrown around are loosely based on someone taking the difference in weight of the LSA vs. the LS3 and adding it to a well optioned Camaro SS without any deductions for weight savings components the Z/28 may have, because at this point in time we just don't know what it will have.

The bottom line is today's electronics and safety requirements will force any Camaro-sized sports coupe to weigh what it weighs; which is in excess of 3600 lbs. If you want it lighter, you either have to make it smaller, or use more expensive/exotic components.

There are some here advocating for a slightly smaller Camaro, more in line with the current Mustang. There are others who want it much smaller than that. Its supply and demand. We'll get what GM thinks they can sell, be it a smaller 6th gen, or a more expensive Z/28 with lighter components, or a bastardized Camaro "SS" with an LSA and boy-racer graphics. While I hope the latter isn't the case, we won't know until GM wants us to know.

 

What's with the attitude? I have always tried to respond to your posts in a mannerly way, as you seem to have well thought out ideas and opinions. There are quite a few people that are amazingly right, and have been consistently over the years. I never said where they worked, and have no idea. However, 2010_5thgen needs to type less, and listen more.

 

The curb weight numbers are slightly more than just a guess and everyone has their own I'm sure. We are guessing on a car that is really still a rumor. I don't know what a 5th Gen Z28 would weigh but I think it's safe to say it would probably weigh more than the SS especially if its LSA powered.

 

I'm not saying you're wrong... I'm saying that you saying you weren't surprised by a number you just wrote is pointless/obvious.

 

Sarcasm doesn't play well on the internet. There was no attitude intended. However I think you're giving far too much credit to a group of enthusiasts blogging on the web. Most of us just rehash stuff already posted here and elsewhere... your's truly included.

 

I agree 100% if we assume the Z/28 ends up being nothing more than a loaded SS with an engine swap. However being a 4th gen owner, and as one yourself, I'm sure you'd agree, I have no issue with plastic front fenders and door skins vs. stamped steel. Heck those alone would make up for the added weight of the LSA. Heck I might even be willing to throw in a few bucks more for a magnesium engine cradle like on the Z06, assuming it wouldn't add too much to the overall cost.

 

Plastic fenders and doors like we saw on the 4th gen would not save weight on the 5th gen. In fact, it would likely add weight.

This is because such an approach would require an underlying / supporting space frame type of structure. Just like the 4th gen.

This is one (but not the only) reason why the 4th gen weighed so much more than the 3rd gen.

 

The money budgeted for the Z/28 is not enough to expect any substantial weight saving techniques. I mean, the base car already has an aluminum hood and high strength and ultra high strength steel in it's structure. Most of the easy lightening tricks have already been used. It is what it is.

I wouldn't suppose most who buy this car will care how much it weighs, how well it handles, (or lack thereof), or even use all of it's horsepower. They will pay whatever the sticker price is plus dealer mark up for a garage queen, which in most cases, will never see any serious duty or turn a wheel in anger. And GM will sell every one at a profit.


One bright note though... this will help elevate the Z/28 brand to it's proper hierarchy within the Camaro line up, repairing some of the damage stupidly inflicted upon it during the second half of the 4th gen.

And most importantly to me personally....perhaps..... this might pave the way for a "real" Z/28 to emerge on the next gen car, a program which the Board has recently approved.

 

sorry, i dont really know who has what to do with anything here. dont know theses guys well enough to believe everything i hear or see.

 

whys that? well..... i think you need to go away.

 

That logic doesn't make sense to me when you consider the Corvette is plastic and its about the same size and weighs a lot less. I'm not doubting you, however as an engineer, I would think both situations require an underlying structure that was very similar. It all comes down to crush zones and how the chassis collapses under impact.

Also I thought the 4th gen weighed more, mostly because it is bigger than the 3rd gen and had stricter safety regulations, not unlike why the 5th gen weighs more than the 4th gen. Wait a second...

 

High strength and ultra high strength steel will cause it to weigh more as they are denser. They won't lighten the structure necessarily although they will make it stronger. The Z06 saves weight over the base C6 by using more aluminum and magnesium. Yes it comes with a price (cost); but what I'm suggesting is GM do the same with Camaro Z28, just a little less extreme as to not put the price out of the ballpark.

 

Yes, a C5 / C6 is plastic and weighs about 200lbs less than a 4th gen (~3250 vs ~3450).

I'd like to point out that this is with the Corvette's extensive use of weight savers such as a balsa composite floor, aluminum / magnesium componentry, etc. versus the 4th gen's weight savings tech of... ummmm....

Furthermore, the Corvette is not a unibody car like the Camaro. Remember, it has a frame that provides much of the stiffness. A unibody or monocoque car (Camaro) depends on the body structure for its stiffness. Therefore the Corvette does not need as much support structure under its plastic skin like Camaro would.

Lastly, yes the 4th gen was somewhat larger but most of that is in the overhangs *EDIT* I mean in length as well as width. For example, the rear fenders overhang the wheels a lot more in the 4th gen. This obviously makes the car wider but doesn't add a lot of weight** Yes, I'm sure there were more stringent crash test regs (requiring airbags, etc.). However, one big difference between the two gens that will also account for a chunk of weight is again found in the actual construction of the two. Take a look under a 3rd gen. Look at the rocker panel area. Now do the same with a 4th gen. The 4th gen's are massive in comparison and consist mostly of folded steel. There's a good bit of weight in there.