GT350 vs. Z/28

[Erik427]

We can already see the European sports car influence in the American sports cars. Viper, Vette, Mustang recently, just take a look at the interior. It's not a robust, badly put together plastic dashboard in front of you, but a nicely and softly finished one, with a more rounded design. Seats are now more comfortable. If it keeps going like this, we will see more and more innovations taken from Euro brands. A for the roof, Magnesium starts slowly to break into auto industry, Porsche has just started using it on the GT3 RS, it will be interesting to see if Magnesium will show better than CF.

10 years from now that plastic dash will still look ok. Try that with leather.........Not a fan of dead animal skin.

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[02gtnh]

Rumor Update: Laguna Seca

I posted Laguna Seca lap times up a few months ago, I'm not sure what time I said. However, I am pleased to announce that the GT350R has matched the GT-R and 911 GT3 at Laguna Seca. I believe I put it in the 1:36 range, which is just as fast as the Boss 302R in the last race at Laguna in qualifying...

That is incredibly amazing...

Link

 

[Simon]

10 years from now that plastic dash will still look ok. Try that with leather.........Not a fan of dead animal skin.

Depends what kind of plastic, some bend, discolor and take unnatural shapes because of the sun. Leather will break too if exposed to a lot of sunny days, so it's not like one of them is better than the other. After all it's what the driver likes, but I was just saying that the American cars are starting to catch up to their European friends in terms of quality.

 

[thePill]

If that time holds water, that's considerably faster than Probst's 1:37:82 lap there in the z/28. Impressive.

The previous GT-R and GT3 were 1:36.6-1:36.8. At those speeds it could qualify in CTSC GS stock.

The GT350TP should be on par with the Z51...

The base should be permitted in the SCCA with its 15.5 rotors and 305 fronts too. They allow a z28 those luxuries, I imagine at least the rotors will be permitted. Chevy homologated the OEM wheel, Ford could do the same.

 

[krt22]

Rumor Update: Laguna Seca

I posted Laguna Seca lap times up a few months ago, I'm not sure what time I said. However, I am pleased to announce that the GT350R has matched the GT-R and 911 GT3 at Laguna Seca. I believe I put it in the 1:36 range, which is just as fast as the Boss 302R in the last race at Laguna in qualifying...

That is incredibly amazing...

You gotta be shitting me.

 

[thePill]

You gotta be shitting me.

I'm more shocked at the 140mph claim at Gratten. Someone timed the car at 1:27.x there. I need to check but, I think the z28 was close to 1:31. A journalist said it was around 90 seconds a lap, I think they said it was a second faster if 1:30 held up. 1:27 is astronomical and so is 140mph...

 

[02gtnh]

Where is this Laguna link?

 

[thePill]

Now fastest Gratten time is 1:25.3. That is just unheard of... It would be almost as fast as a C6 Z06

 

[Nasty99z28]

Now fastest Gratten time is 1:25.3. That is just unheard of... It would be almost as fast as a C6 Z06

Damn impressive if this holds up.

 

[thePill]

Damn impressive if this holds up.

It's the sticky tires, huge contact patch, optimal WB:T ratio, output, powerband... It's making up for the PtW ratio...

 

[thePill]

Both GT3 and GT-R have a 6.73 and 6.74 PtW. The GT350R is at 6.93...

I specifically remember Ford talking about PtW and claimed it was approximately the same as the GT3's. We didn't know the horsepower or weight, it was open speculation.

If that was the case and it was at 6.73, they would have had to seen 3550lbs in Pre-Production. I can't see where 100lbs is coming from...

My point is now, with the M4 at $64,000 with 420hp@3550lbs, you need to ask yourself... 100 less pounds or 100 more HP. The GT350 comes with a lot of unique equipment. I'm glad they settled at the projected MSRP's.

 

[thePill]

Didn't Ford say the PW ratio was the same as the 997 GT3?

997.2 GT3: 3,075/435 = 7.07
991 GT3: 3,150/475 = 6.63
GT350R: 3,650/526 = 6.94

Yes they did, it was leaked to C&D and they reported it after the first show. (Edit: Autoline http://m.autoevolution.com/ford-say...is-better-than-the-porsche-911-gt3-91165.html)

In this claim, not only do they talk about CCB's, they also talk about the GT350 being lighter than a GT. Something tells me budget over-ruled here at a 3500lbs car became impossible.

Another theory is, the Voodoo needed detuned for emissions or Gas Guzzler tax to reach target MSRP's. I think the later is more believable.

I had heard (and let slip) a 550hp Voodoo was possible. I just can't see it without DI... Perhaps DI was cut for many reasons...

 

[thePill]

The GT350R has an aluminum front section...

Wow!!! You literally can't get any lighter than that.

CCB's, CF roof, more aluminum and maybe structural Boron.

 

[Simon]

The GT350R has an aluminum front section...

Wow!!! You literally can't get any lighter than that.

CCB's, CF roof, more aluminum and maybe structural Boron.

They actually could go lighter if they wouldn't mind some research and development along with a price increase. If they have went with Carbon Fiber chassis, the car could drop some good amounts of weight.

 

[thePill]

They actually could go lighter if they wouldn't mind some research and development along with a price increase. If they have went with Carbon Fiber chassis, the car could drop some good amounts of weight.

That is true but, I'd like to see the GT350 remain a $50,000 car. When compared to the z28, it's a Track Car Checkmate. It has the Camaro at every turn.

Not only that, regardless of weight, it puts the Camaro in a unique position this generation on day one. It has a basement MSRP, is a strong underdog in a GT-R/GT3/C6 Z06 fight and threatens the C7 Z51 and 997 as is.

Chevy doesn't have the engine and can't keep the MSRP low enough. An optioned 1SS isn't going to be faster than a Z51 and it risk costing just as much. The LT4 will have a peaky powerband and the driver will be shifting his heart out. Not mentioning the weight again... and obvious HEAT issues especially due to poor airflow and no more room for an additional heat exchanger in the front... Not without eliminating AC altogether.

The LT4 and matching TR6060 is a $12,000 dollar premium. Your already close to current ZL1 prices. With the equipment it needs, it would need to start around R prices at a minimum... but could be close to 4000lbs.

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