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thePill
Camaro5's Most Wanted
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While we wait for Ford to conduct Extreme Hot Weather testing, lets look at some of the things that are working on the 2014 "Z/28". (EDIT: GM Authority originally published the article, sorry for the mix up) GM Authority posted a really cool article about the Z and 28 things that were improved on. The original article is here: http://gmauthority.com/blog/2014/02...aro-z28-broken-down-into-28-different-points/
First thing I seen was the Duck tail spoiler. On my 2013 Z/28 thread on Camaro5 (pretty old), I suggested they use something similar. I posted pictures of the Intimidator Camaro. Here is what they used.
Here is what I suggested...
I think the Z's version is far better, both in quality and function. I think it looks much better as well. I'm not sure if any additional downforce would be achieved by using the Intimidator's Duck tail. If it is a GM part, and if it does benefit the car, I would like seeing a full blown version offered as an option.
Next, the unique front fascia and and chin splitter. I'm still not crazy about the 2014 in general, I think it was a bad refresh. However, I have reason to believe the whole Camaro lineup was based on the Z. It was clearly the source for the direction because it is obviously, hands down, the best looking. Close to being the best looking 5th Gen as far as fascia's go. The functionality is still questionable, as is air flow vs. the '10-'13.
You can see my color concept below, I hand sculpted the front fascia to try and accomplish what Team Camaro did in the '14 Z. I also added the famous Leno hood and my own 70's style graphic art duck tail. I honestly feel that if my version was attempted, it would have been "THE" Camaro to have.
I think the Black and Red Z's are the best colors offered. One hides some of the things I didn't like and the Red highlights the area's that I think worked well. I would have liked to seen just a tiny bit more difference between SS and Z though...
They also talk about the most of the lightweight components. The wheels, tires, No A/C, Lighter back seat, thinner glass (kinda extreme, but neat) and the Carbon Ceramic Rotors. I hope these things are at least options on the GT350. I wouldn't want the use of Carbon Ceramic Brakes to disqualify the GT350 from class competition both professional and amateur. Lets keep this in mind and stress this openly NOW. The Street Fighter should be competitive where it needs to be but let the customers chose. Same for the extra coolers and such...
The LS7 is definitely an awesome engine to have on the street. There are some valve issues but I believe those are issues caused from modding. The cylinder walls are thin so forced induction is not a good idea. You have a hard time explaining that to some Camaro fans but it's true. this is a road racing engine... It gets heavy flak from Motorsport organizations World wide for is displacement and output. It also gets heavy flak from me for this very reason... Although, I consider it as THE number 1 production pushrod V8 of all time. You really can't get any better in technology, use of alternative metals, engineering, weight (about 450lbs) and cost. It's displacement can be seen as a blessing or a curse... To me, it becomes obsolete once it becomes unusable.
The strut tower brace is mentioned but, in my professional opinion, the strut tower brace needs to be 1.) Welded to the strut towers OR 2.) Connect to the Firewall. Both would be even better. Even under light loads, the brace still flexes and has no real function. Welding them in place is not an option... I did see a picture of the new GT's engine bay and it has the strut towers braced to the Firewall AND together. I'll dig up the picture in a few.
I would obviously expect the GT350 to have one of these if the GT.R is sporting one.
Tremec six-speed manual... double- and triple-cone synchronizers... Cool BUT!!!! It still has two overdrives. The GT350 is using a Street Fighter version of the Getrag. Trust me fella's, the 109lbs Getrag is the way to go. One overdrive, lightweight, quart cap upgradable, STEEP 1st gear ratio AND, anything Coyote based will escape the gas guzzler tax.
Overall, I think the Camaro, the Z especially, still has a strong, muscular profile. I'll admit, it does come off as early 70's Musclecar dressed up in Trans Am clothing. The profile above does rekindle some of the flare used in the '70's Z28's, I think that's a good thing. I even tried to tie in the '78-'80 Z28 DNA in my fascia and rocker work, as well as the duck tail.
The article was pretty cool and, if you have time to skim through it, you will see there is a lot more I didn't mention. It isn't anything major but there is some stuff there. One issue I have with the Z's aero package treatment is the cheap fender flares. They look very low budget on the OEM car and, they make the Pro Z/28 look very strange. The required tire width in IMSA GS does not require a flare at all. The front fenders stick out like Dumbo ears...
The more I look at those tiny 18x10 Continentals R's in those Autozone fender flares, the more I hate the whole car again. These are late '70's innovation at best... I would have scrapped the whole car if I could not get past that lazy aspect of the design. This needs to be a one piece fender at the very minimum.
Edit: I actually looked for any possible alternatives to the '14's front fender flares. I didn't like anything aftermarket, there was nothing that looked even remotely pleasing. It makes me further question why they didn't just use a 295/35R19 all around. Avoid the use of the taped on fender flares and the race version looking silly.
Back to the fascia, I would like to see an attempt at a chin splitter like this, something a little more raw and race ready. I think the splitter it comes equipped with works, I just want to see a hardcore exterior and a little less Fast N Furious.
I have been looking at the Transformers 4 Bumblebee, I have also been following Doc's 2016 Camaro design thread. I see a huge conflict inbound for the Camaro. Doc brings up some pretty good points and it is indeed a hurdle for Team Camaro. I think the 2015MY should be cut short and this should finish out 2015 and 2016. I completely believe that this is a glimpses of the 2017, 6th Gen Camaro. The '14 has already started in that direction.
I seen a DIB Mustang in Pittsburgh, it is just plain awesome... if feels new but familiar. The '14MY Pony Cars feel old in both style and size. The 2015 Mustang is literally a perfect size for it's class. The wheelbase is optimal, track as well. Height is ideal, length... The doors are perfectly proportioned, the hood is great, the fascia is arguably the best part of the car, the rear is the same. It's new, it feels like a positive direction. Upbeat and ready for another great generation. Ready to progress, move forward with force... Continue. I felt relief overall at first, then curiosity. The pictures lose sight of the Mustang... There is a lot to look at but not forced on you.
In other words... The Camaro needs a refresh...
[ame]
I skimmed through the initial report in Hot Rod a few weeks ago and got a peek at some of the GT's equipment. You will be pleased to know that the GT.R (GT Track Pack) is pushing the limits of each class it is eligible for. It uses the maximum 380mm front disc, and I believe maximum in the rear. The tires are not maxed out but, they are the largest allowed without a waiver. It is obvious Ford has done some Motorsport homework. In truth, most of the GT.R's initial measurements are right there with the '14 Z. We may see Ford use the GT against the Z in racing while the GT350 goes on ahead to underdog the Stingray Z51. Back where it started 50 years ago... Back gunning for the Corvette as a World Class Sports Coupe.
First thing I seen was the Duck tail spoiler. On my 2013 Z/28 thread on Camaro5 (pretty old), I suggested they use something similar. I posted pictures of the Intimidator Camaro. Here is what they used.
Here is what I suggested...
I think the Z's version is far better, both in quality and function. I think it looks much better as well. I'm not sure if any additional downforce would be achieved by using the Intimidator's Duck tail. If it is a GM part, and if it does benefit the car, I would like seeing a full blown version offered as an option.
Next, the unique front fascia and and chin splitter. I'm still not crazy about the 2014 in general, I think it was a bad refresh. However, I have reason to believe the whole Camaro lineup was based on the Z. It was clearly the source for the direction because it is obviously, hands down, the best looking. Close to being the best looking 5th Gen as far as fascia's go. The functionality is still questionable, as is air flow vs. the '10-'13.
You can see my color concept below, I hand sculpted the front fascia to try and accomplish what Team Camaro did in the '14 Z. I also added the famous Leno hood and my own 70's style graphic art duck tail. I honestly feel that if my version was attempted, it would have been "THE" Camaro to have.
I think the Black and Red Z's are the best colors offered. One hides some of the things I didn't like and the Red highlights the area's that I think worked well. I would have liked to seen just a tiny bit more difference between SS and Z though...
They also talk about the most of the lightweight components. The wheels, tires, No A/C, Lighter back seat, thinner glass (kinda extreme, but neat) and the Carbon Ceramic Rotors. I hope these things are at least options on the GT350. I wouldn't want the use of Carbon Ceramic Brakes to disqualify the GT350 from class competition both professional and amateur. Lets keep this in mind and stress this openly NOW. The Street Fighter should be competitive where it needs to be but let the customers chose. Same for the extra coolers and such...
The LS7 is definitely an awesome engine to have on the street. There are some valve issues but I believe those are issues caused from modding. The cylinder walls are thin so forced induction is not a good idea. You have a hard time explaining that to some Camaro fans but it's true. this is a road racing engine... It gets heavy flak from Motorsport organizations World wide for is displacement and output. It also gets heavy flak from me for this very reason... Although, I consider it as THE number 1 production pushrod V8 of all time. You really can't get any better in technology, use of alternative metals, engineering, weight (about 450lbs) and cost. It's displacement can be seen as a blessing or a curse... To me, it becomes obsolete once it becomes unusable.
The strut tower brace is mentioned but, in my professional opinion, the strut tower brace needs to be 1.) Welded to the strut towers OR 2.) Connect to the Firewall. Both would be even better. Even under light loads, the brace still flexes and has no real function. Welding them in place is not an option... I did see a picture of the new GT's engine bay and it has the strut towers braced to the Firewall AND together. I'll dig up the picture in a few.
I would obviously expect the GT350 to have one of these if the GT.R is sporting one.
Tremec six-speed manual... double- and triple-cone synchronizers... Cool BUT!!!! It still has two overdrives. The GT350 is using a Street Fighter version of the Getrag. Trust me fella's, the 109lbs Getrag is the way to go. One overdrive, lightweight, quart cap upgradable, STEEP 1st gear ratio AND, anything Coyote based will escape the gas guzzler tax.
These are really cool... I feel if Multimatic is engineering the GT/GT350 for IMSA, we might see these very shocks on the GT350. Multimatic moved back to the Ford Mustang and Ford Racing prior to the start of the Roar Before the 24 back in January, It was November/December when they made the announcement and won the Pole in the BMW Performance 200. The race looked rigged and I believe Turner's M3's were disqualified after the race for a MAJOR infraction. They finished 7th I think... Not sure... BMW cheating messed everything up.
Overall, I think the Camaro, the Z especially, still has a strong, muscular profile. I'll admit, it does come off as early 70's Musclecar dressed up in Trans Am clothing. The profile above does rekindle some of the flare used in the '70's Z28's, I think that's a good thing. I even tried to tie in the '78-'80 Z28 DNA in my fascia and rocker work, as well as the duck tail.
The article was pretty cool and, if you have time to skim through it, you will see there is a lot more I didn't mention. It isn't anything major but there is some stuff there. One issue I have with the Z's aero package treatment is the cheap fender flares. They look very low budget on the OEM car and, they make the Pro Z/28 look very strange. The required tire width in IMSA GS does not require a flare at all. The front fenders stick out like Dumbo ears...
The more I look at those tiny 18x10 Continentals R's in those Autozone fender flares, the more I hate the whole car again. These are late '70's innovation at best... I would have scrapped the whole car if I could not get past that lazy aspect of the design. This needs to be a one piece fender at the very minimum.
Edit: I actually looked for any possible alternatives to the '14's front fender flares. I didn't like anything aftermarket, there was nothing that looked even remotely pleasing. It makes me further question why they didn't just use a 295/35R19 all around. Avoid the use of the taped on fender flares and the race version looking silly.
Back to the fascia, I would like to see an attempt at a chin splitter like this, something a little more raw and race ready. I think the splitter it comes equipped with works, I just want to see a hardcore exterior and a little less Fast N Furious.
I have been looking at the Transformers 4 Bumblebee, I have also been following Doc's 2016 Camaro design thread. I see a huge conflict inbound for the Camaro. Doc brings up some pretty good points and it is indeed a hurdle for Team Camaro. I think the 2015MY should be cut short and this should finish out 2015 and 2016. I completely believe that this is a glimpses of the 2017, 6th Gen Camaro. The '14 has already started in that direction.
I seen a DIB Mustang in Pittsburgh, it is just plain awesome... if feels new but familiar. The '14MY Pony Cars feel old in both style and size. The 2015 Mustang is literally a perfect size for it's class. The wheelbase is optimal, track as well. Height is ideal, length... The doors are perfectly proportioned, the hood is great, the fascia is arguably the best part of the car, the rear is the same. It's new, it feels like a positive direction. Upbeat and ready for another great generation. Ready to progress, move forward with force... Continue. I felt relief overall at first, then curiosity. The pictures lose sight of the Mustang... There is a lot to look at but not forced on you.
In other words... The Camaro needs a refresh...
[ame]
I skimmed through the initial report in Hot Rod a few weeks ago and got a peek at some of the GT's equipment. You will be pleased to know that the GT.R (GT Track Pack) is pushing the limits of each class it is eligible for. It uses the maximum 380mm front disc, and I believe maximum in the rear. The tires are not maxed out but, they are the largest allowed without a waiver. It is obvious Ford has done some Motorsport homework. In truth, most of the GT.R's initial measurements are right there with the '14 Z. We may see Ford use the GT against the Z in racing while the GT350 goes on ahead to underdog the Stingray Z51. Back where it started 50 years ago... Back gunning for the Corvette as a World Class Sports Coupe.
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