ooohhh, that's even better. Take the visual enhancements off the Z28 except for the lightweight wheels, and make it combinable with the SS so you can create the ultimate camaro by adding the SS's styling and options to the Z28's superior suspension and performance attributes (with top level motor only).

So you'd end up with three packages, SS, Z28 and RS, any two could be combined and each would offer something unique to the buyer. The V6 car would only be able to receive the RS option due to the engine requirements for SS and Z28.

 

I'm liking the direction this thread is going!

However I'd still like to advocate that there should be someplace in the line-up for a special limited edition 8.1L version. That definitely should be called "SS" for heritage reasons of course and come with a 6 spd manual.

Therefore add to the mix.... "SSLE" (**** well already have SSR so why the heck not?)

 

Whoa, whoa, whoa! No combining SS and Z/28 again. Been there, done that....got the t-shirt (actually a couple of 'em).

The point here is to deliniate models .....not just combine them all into one Camaro hodgepodge.

 

If Impala and MC actually go RWD and V8 in '06 I'm sure one of the engine choices will be a 5.3 or 4.8 automatic.

I wonder if this will make the inclusion of such an "intermediate"V8 option for Camaro, more palatable to GM?

 

Maybe, but also, maybe GM will say, if you want a car with a smaller V8, buy the Monte. Let's hope the camaro gets it's mid-V8.

 

How about this? The LE1 package becomes the Z28, and the SS stays where it is. Both have the same engines. Both keep it's relative position, the Z keeps it's uniqueness & we're happy, RP and the SS fans are happy.

 

Thats been suggested before. It would be better if the Z28 took the place of the 1LE, as long as it had its own looks and actual performance differences.

 

I could live with that if it was done properly. Every last bit of "NASTYNESS" from 1LE should be squeezed into Z/28.

But it shouldn't end there.
The Z/28 should never again be the low rent version of SS. Even if they share the same engine, there should be clear deliniation between them.

I agree. Keep the SS, pretty much where it's at....but turn the Z/28 into the edgy street racer, with it's own serious look.

 

There wasn't much change of engines for the mustang during the 80s' and 90s' 5.0 all the way, while the F-body has several engines combos. I liked the engine options but, I think it was one of several reasons the f-body was more expensive. GM used the LT1 for five years, developing a new engine is very expensive. Should have GM used the LT1 a bit longer? Well what I'm saying is.....stick with an engine, even maybe with different hp output to keep the $$$$ down for the average Jo.

 

The LT1 wasn't in production anymore, the Gen3 replaced it. It made more sense to use the same engine than have two separate V8's w/ no common parts between them.

I'm all for this 1LE/Z28 idea. The more I think about it, the Z would be a fairly rough car, and would, in all likelyhood, be extremely low production. Whats funny to think about is how this scenario would have played out in the 4th gen. I swear, it seems like without designing a single part that we didn't already have, we could have had exactly what we are talking about. The Z28 as it was could have just as easily been the "Camaro V8", just paint the roof body color. The SS could have been unchaged, and make the Z/28 full of SLP suspension, brake, structural upgrades. SS gets the 10 spokes, Z/28 gets the 5 spoke A molds. SS gets the SS scoop hood, Z/28 gets the SLP ramair hood and rally stripes similar to the 30th and 35th cars. Give the SS and Z/28 the same engine, with the SLP power package (345hp or whatever it was) to differenitate it from the 310 horse "Camaro V8".

I can see the SS as the high end model for cruising, and the Z/28 for bruising. Think of if the Vette had the Fixed Roof Coupe, the targa, and the ZO6 all available at the same time. FRC could be the base car(like Camaro)....targa would give you sport seats, better colors, auto, more options (like SS) and the Z06 would have been the "Z28" of Corvettes.

I wish an industry person would chime in on this and give us an opinion of why this would or would not work on a 5th gen. You keep your 2 engines (albiet with 3 levels of tune between them). You get to keep your SS as the "top dog" to the general public, but have the Z/28 lurking much like the 1LE or B4C cars before it.

Possiblility....or pipe dream?

 

PERFECT! This gives everyone, what they want. A totally win, win scenario for everyone.

Personally, I see no reason why this shouldn't happen. For little or no cost....the customer gets what he wants.

Sounds like a good business plan to me.

 

There has to be a real substantive difference in the "tune" of the two V8s.

The exhaust and a ram air hood gimmick isn't going to cut it on a 5th gen, we need a real HP difference. I am fine if they have the same displacement, but offer two different cams or something to produce a substantive, quantifiable performance difference.

Everybody here knows there was very little provable difference between an LS1 SS and Z28 on the chassis dyno, well within the statistical margin for error. I still think the lesser V8 needs to be pretty mild in terms of power...gotta bridge that mid-level gap between v6 economics and V8 brutalness.

 

Here is my two cents:

Camaro: Available in Sport Coupe, T-top, and Convertible body styles. Three trim levels:

Base: Engine: Vortech I-6 from the SUV line w/ either M6 or A4 transmission.

RS Option: 5.0 Vortech V-8 using a destroked LS-1 to reduce costs. Same Transmissions options. This option should place performance on par with the GT Mustang

SS Option: "Grand Touring" Option. LS-1 or LS-6 Engine package, performance comparable to today's Z/28 and SS models. This package should contain all luxury options and a unique appearance package.

Z/28 Model: Top of the line Camaro eqivalent to the Z06. LS-1 or LS-6 engines. Has PW, PDL, Stereo etc. as std equipment. All options should be performance oriented, and should be limited. Ex. Road race or Drag race tuned suspension. This car should make somewhere around 400 - 430 hp and be on par with the Mustang Cobra.

By 'raiding' the parts bin for Camaro, this should reduce cost and allow more engine options. The key should be having low-cost V-8 power (5.0) to attract younger buyers away from FWD performance cars. Also, GM sould make a commitment to the 5th Gen by heavily promoting it through advertising, and offering a special line of aftermarket products. I think that GM lost the performance war with Ford because they never promoted the Camaro. Even though GM had a superior car to the Mustang, it was not known to the general public.

 

hmmm...destroked 5.7L LS1 to 5.0---302 Chev--like that concept they did a few years ago. That'd be cool.

But unless that displacement is shared with trucks--won't happen. Camaros have never had their own, unique displacement engine.
A 4.8--5.3L is more likely. But of course by then the Gen 4 V8 will be out and it's anybodys guess what they will displace.

 

sounds good but does GM really save any money by offering a destroked LS1, just about all the parts on the engine are the same, but it just has a different bore and stroke. Do they even save $100? plus they would have to pay extra to design, test, certify, etc... that engine.

in the Silverado it is about a $700 to go from the 4.3L V6 to the 4.8L V8, about the same price to go from the 4.8L V8 to the 5.3L

if they did this on the Camaro who wouldn't pay $700 to go from a 290HP 5.0L to 375HP 5.7L or a 400HP 6.0L. That would be the best $700 you ever spent.

as long as there isn't a huge price difference, I will always buy the biggest most powerful camaro engine.