Double adjustable shocks front and rear
Any sort of shade tree alignment capability (similar to camber/caster plates for struts)
power steering cooler
high capasity power steering pump
short throw shifter
16 inch wheel option (for road race and autocross application. 16 inch autocross tires are much more affordable than 17 inchers, plus there might be an larger advantage in weight savings that in a shorter, stiffer sidewall. I guess that's one for the engineering dept/'s water cooler.) Non have to come from the factory with 16's, but make it an option to 'skirt' the rules.

 

Be interesting if Red Planet chimed in on the C5 hardtop and Billy Bob model. As I recall they needed the Billy Bob to make the business plan work in a tough economy. By the time the car hit the market the economy was strong enough to not need the stripper to hit desired sales volumes.


Might have a problem fitting the brakes we want into 16's.

 

Yeah, it was originally designed as sort of an entry level car (which I would have gone for in 2001), but in the end, they realized that they could sell ever model that they could build, so there was no need to offer the stripped down car. In the end, the $1000 price difference wasn't enough to offset the lack of options that most buyers wanted. But when you add the Z06 package, it transformed the car into the street legal racer type car, the image car so to speak. The hardtop model never sold very well at all w/ the LS1, but is about 25% total sales in Z06 guise.

Regarding this t-top Z28 thing, what if there are no t-tops? Wasn't it discussed at some point that it may just be coupe, vert, and maybe an optional sunroof? I know it depends on what platform it gets built on, but if the structure couldn't support the t-top, what would you guys think then? A sunroofed Z06 type Z28 doesn't seem right to me, besides, if you want the ultimate performer car, you'd have to ditch the flexible t-top platform and go w/ the rigid coupe model, plus there would be a little weight savings as well, which is in line w/ the type of car we're talking about here.

Look at all the stuff the Z06 leaves out in search of weight savings...lighter wheels, lightweight body, no targa, titanium exhaust, heck it even got a thinner windshield! If you're gonna do a ***** out Z28, you shouldn't load it down w/ stuff that doesn't make it perform better. My imagined version of the Z28 is similar to the 2002 ZL1 cars, albiet w/out the worked engines.

 

All right, guess that all makes sense. Is the next Z06 going to be a different body style, or will it save weight in other ways?

 

I know we seem to be in minority on this subject, but I'm also for a hardtop only, lighter Z28. Obviously you can get it with all the options u like, Z06's can come loaded to the gills, but I say Z28's should return to what they were born for. Hardtop only, lighter, suspension tuned for handling prowess over comfort, etc. I've always wanted to see the Z28 to the Camaro what the Z06 is to the Corvette. Let the SS be kinda like what the Z28/SS models are now. Quick cars with good handling outta the box. Give the Z28 model the hardcore refined suspension to make it a real corner carver.

 

A perfect case for a well differentiated SS and Z/28.

Quote:

The 25% of production Z06 is an eyebrow raiser, but, I say if the LS6 were available in the Corvette Coupe as well as the Harttop, the Harttop sales would be in the tank........ just like they were when the Harttop debuted with the LS1 in 1999 and 2000. The Harttop was a failure, and GM "saved face" by only offering the LS6 in the hardtop, thereby making it unique and gave people a reason to buy that body style.... because they were forced into it if they wanted the hotter motor.

Don't think that GM is much in the business of "saving face"...they'll drop something in a heartbeat if it's not selling for them.

The hardtop is used for the Z06 because it is the lightest, most rigid body in the Corvette line up. If they offered the LS6 in the other body styles....would it sell? I betcha it would.....but it wouldn't be a Z06.

Heavier, less rigid models would require a suspension re-tune. Do you create three different suspension settings (one per body style), or more likely just use the most mild one for all of them? Gone will be the Z06's handling response.
Should the LS6 be available with an auto ? If it were, you could probably kiss off 30 or 40 hp. Certifying LS6 with an auto would probably require a smaller cam and less compression. Look at the M5 and A4 Mach 1...same motor right? Wrong. To pass emissions and drivability, the A4 motor get's less compression, smaller cams, 35 less horsepower and a one second longer trip down the quarter mile.

If the formula is diluted...it will no longer be the same formula.

 

Z28? Rename the 1LE package Z28. Include the top engine with the package, and make the automatic transmission not available.

SS can continue as it was in the 4th gen. A expensive (very overpriced IMHO) "Look-at-me" package.

Ya know, the Z28 option was available the RS, the regular Camaros, and the LT (in 1974). Maybe it could be a performance option for the SS as well.

(Just thinking out loud on the last one.)

 

Having cut my teeth in, in a Corvette Bronze '68 SS/396/325 hard top, Muncie 4spd my Dad owned and raced, I believe the SS wasn't meant to be the Light-weight corner-carving, buisness only, TA race circuit car.
But a liveable, competent handling, in-your-face!, power-house, that was available with the "highest" output power-plant offered in the model, period. And brakes should be Horsepower & weight specific, not model specific...let's not throw logic out a window..And all of the options and conveniences available on more luxurious cars...like A/C, high-powered stereo, interior trim & materials.
Styling Q's should be easily distinguishable from the Z28 model, as in the beginning...let's end the confusion of 2 decades of models...so when someone sees or races one(Z or SS) they'll know quite clearly what to expect!...(See 1st Gen for references)
I think having the 1LE becoming a new Z28 is what a Z28 was really meant to be, a car that can go from the show-room to the race track with a few minor upgrades!...A Pro-touring car..of sorts...Low mean & lean!..With a suspension/wheel/tire package to walk-the-walk!...if it doesn't enhance performance, don't put it on the car...

 

The best I've heard is that it will be "noticably different" than the standard Corvette Coupe...

I'm sure something will be popping up soon in spy photos, really...

 

Aztek is still around, so I wouldn't say GM is "quick" to kill problem areas all the time.......... their big solutioon was to paint more of the black plastic cladding to try to hide it.

The main point is... if I (and, frankly, the majority of buyers) want the LS6 in the Coupe or Vert, I should be able to get it. I should not be forced into a de-optioned, de-contented HardTop to get the powertrain I want.

Most people don't care so much that the HardTop is a percentage point stuffer than the already excellent Coupe. Most people dropping fifty grand want the bells and whistles.

Eh, I could list a MILLION reasons here, but there will be people that say "well, then it's not a Z06"... my answer: I don't care... and neither do a lot of other who would liked to have had a chance to order an LS6 coupe or convertible.

Maybe we should take a REALLY old school approach to the new Z28? By the way some people describe how they want it, it would have: Radio Delete, Heater Delete, roll up windows, hardtop, no power locks, no cruise, heck, let's get rid of the back seat... weight savings, you know. Dump the carpeting.

Bottom line is the ONLY WAY the car some of you are describing can succeed is if it has a unique, more powerful powertrain, and that is a huge CRUTCH to support your arguement on... offer that powertrain with the optional equipment and you car will never sell. History has shown this over and over again.

In the end, offer the best powertrain with all the options on the menu, dont waste money developing parts that noone wants (roll up windows? Pu-leeze) and sell more cars.

 

Yeah I thought about that after I posted. It'd be an interesting engineering discussion.

One more point is I'd like to see the Z28 sit about an inch lower if it's going to be the competition model.

 

Come on Darth. Stop peeing in our Kool-aid.

We're saying "coupe only" for some very specific and logical reasons . We still want a radio, (maybe with FM even ), back seat and carpeting. There will be no such thing as a "stripped" Camaro. Sounds like you don't like the whole concept behind the Z06 or our concept for a Z/28.....and that's ok.

Really, I don't understand what the problem is here. This thread is about differentiation. So let's differentiate. If you're looking for a fast car with auto, convertible or t-tops, and maybe a softer suspension....why not buy a Camaro SS?


Darth, how would you differentiate these cars?

 

Same way you would... hotter powertain in one. I'm fine with that being Z28.

But, don't limit me in what options I can get and don't de-content the standard equipment.

I've also suggested that AWD be a very good way to differentiate two models in the past...

 

I can live with that.

 

I can too. I think one thing that most everyone agrees on, is that all that is 1LE, should be folded into a more comprehensive Z/28 package.