I disagree. As an engineer, I would happily take on that challenge. You're correct, weight does impact all of those areas. However, it is the balance of weight and power that leads to you being successful in achieving those goals. I would like to believe that GM's engineers are smart enough to do this. Sure it will come with a price, however I would be willing buy such a Camaro, and I'm sure others would as well.

How much it costs will be left up to the engineers and how smart and creative they are. However I'd be willing to pay north of $40K for such a Camaro.

 

We've had PLENTY of SS vs Z28 polls already. Please.....don't let that genie out of the bottle!

But will it pass GM's pretty brutal durability tests?

Also, nowadays, selling a car without AC standard is a nonstarter.

 

i'd call option #1 "SS" but everything else with i agree.

 

I voted for #2, but I'm still holding on tightly to option #3

Honestly, less weight will make the car feel better in all aspects of driving. Plus, driving in a completely straight line is no demonstration of car or driver ability. And, since moving to the west coast, I have rediscovered the joy of true open country driving.

Less weight...less weight...less weight.

 

#2.

It's easier to add horsepower then remove weight. I mean yea, I can strip it down to nothing; but what fun is that.

i'd take a lighter more agile car, then I can spend what I want on "light" components that perform.

Hell give me that light car and a 150 shot and I'll eat GT500's all day long.

 

I like #2, but at ~420HP that is basically an LS2.

How about #2 with a LS7 or a 6.4L V8. Same weight, more power. 6.4L = 460HP?

 

guionM, you could have added that the big HP heavy Camaro has the new 7.2L V12 it should fit.

 

Probably wouldn't pass their tests no.

I don't need A/C...T-tops.

The Snake Skinner Corvette didn't have A/C or a radio for that matter.

 

The counter point to this arguement is "Why spend the money to overcome the weight, when you can just spend the money to eliminate it?"

Bob is right when he mentions that weight affects everything about the cars performance from 0-60, skidpad, all the way to MPG.

BTW, I would make a very educated guess that the SC weight penalty is closer to 80-100lbs. The added coolers and larger intake manifold will add about 30lbs, the supercharger will add about 30lbs, and the rest are either small weight additions or small imcremental additions to the already planned V8 powerplant.

 

I'm not engineer, and am only a sportsman level drag racer (that has been around a road course a time or two, too). However, I'm been around long enough to know the weight is a performance killer - the GT500 is outstanding evidence of this. Sure you could make it handle better with better suspension pieces, accelerate quicker with more/better gearing, maybe even get better MPG with different gearing. Heck, even an IRS - which would add weight - would improve the 'balance' of the car. But all that is still a band-aid to cover up the main problem - the car is an overweight pig.

I'd much prefer to see the Camaro NOT go down that road - though I am very much aware that I'm essentially in 'dreamy land'.

Bob

 

#2 is a FAR better option. Here is why:

I want an engine that has potential for further improvements, both NA or forced induction. That is what #2 gets you. With #1, you are already stuck with a S/C and a bunch of weight. Go ahead and have fun adding even more HP to #1 with smaller pulleys, tuning... (yippie, that takes a lot of effort), and it just becomes more and more clear that weight is the enemy.

Give me option #2, with low weight and lots of engine potential. You can add HP later, but it's MUCH, MUCH, MUCH harder to shave weight and still have a decent car left to drive. Clear winner, #2.

Dan

 

The tech is already there for 505 n/a horsepower. So, worry about the weight.

 

The poll seems to be missing a choice: "I'm tired of power and weight mental masturbation exercises".

I'd probably be happier with a 400 HP car that weighs in under 3500 lbs than I would be with a 500 HP car that's 4000 lbs, but we all know that it's a lot easier - and cheaper - to make more power than it is to cut weight. That being said, a well-balanced 500+ HP two-ton car would probably be rather enjoyable to drive.

I have a sneaking suspicion that most drivers - even those who think they are particularly "aware" - can't feel a couple hundred pounds of difference in weight without being told about it. Perception trumps reality in this situation.

 

LOL. Some are more "aware" than others. Some of those "others" are the ones paying $20k markups on the GT500.

Bob

 

Do any of you guys autox or even drive fast around corners??!!! Personally I've seen about a Gazillion times more F-bodies at the drag strip than the autox course.... If you want a carver buy a lotus, sti, evo or a cayman s or something.

I would way rather be able to smoke a mustang or any of the cars above on the highway, or just driving down a regular road. Because that's where you get into races about 99% of the time.

I just know I would be scared to be pushing the handling limits of the #1 car so far to need the #2 capabilities..... Being my brand new 40k camaro that I've been waiting like 7-8 years for....

Off topic but I would have been happy if they just started remanufacturing the '02s but with a LS2+12bolt+window motors that worked a long time!! Yeah I'd take a 3400lb formula with 400hp.