Z28 weight

[nak3dsnake]

Originally Posted by wildpaws

Hmmmm, what's different about your '69 Z/28, mine was around 3385 lb ready to go?
Clyde

Options?

[calbert1999]

Originally Posted by WYKOFF69Z

With a few basic changes to a SS Chevrolet would have a Z/28 and it would out sell the ZL1. I myself have no interest in the ZL1 but would buy a Z/28.

I'm with you 100%.

Originally Posted by 2SS 2011

Weird how they would even release a Z28 out of sequence to be honest. . ZL1 SS Z28 is how it should have been ... You can't produce a Z28 thta will be more powerful than the SS..

By, the time the ZL1 and Z/28 hit the market, all the SS's will be 1000+hp. with all the latest and greatest performance suspension mods. That will bring things back in line. LOL

[Fightinfire921]

The 8 should have been a 3 (3397) with options

With RPO Z28, base curb weight 3,296 lbs.

Power windows + 19
Folding rear seat + 38
Power front disc brakes + 41 (Maybe the Z cars got the older style calipers?? see base car above. This sorta doesn't make sense, because they were required and not an option; I would think they were in the Z28 base weight above, like the 4 speed)
Power 4-wheel disc brakes (JL-8) + 65
Floor shift + 9
Power steering +28
Tape player +21
Push button radio +8
Radio AM/FM + 10
Radio stereo + 17
Special ducted hood + 8
Panel and valence assembly + 7 (spoilers)??

[wildpaws]

Originally Posted by WYKOFF69Z

The 8 should have been a 3 (3397) with options

With RPO Z28, base curb weight 3,296 lbs.

Power windows + 19
Folding rear seat + 38
Power front disc brakes + 41 (Maybe the Z cars got the older style calipers?? see base car above. This sorta doesn't make sense, because they were required and not an option; I would think they were in the Z28 base weight above, like the 4 speed)
Power 4-wheel disc brakes (JL-8) + 65
Floor shift + 9
Power steering +28
Tape player +21
Push button radio +8
Radio AM/FM + 10
Radio stereo + 17
Special ducted hood + 8
Panel and valence assembly + 7 (spoilers)??

That sounds a whole lot more accurate! Like you, I question some of the add on option weights, floor shift +9, not an option as all Z/28s had 4spd. manual floor shift (just choices like close ratio 4 spd or HD close ratio 4 spd). I do know my '69 Z/28 was 3385 on the scales and I refused to have the dealer undercoat it during new car delivery prep.
Clyde

[Fraxum]

Originally Posted by Dragoneye

I doubt they'd be able to pull more than 100 lbs out of an SS from the factory and still be able to sell it to any reasonable number of people...Which is a concern I have when I read the very high expectations many have for an as-yet mythical Z28.

+1. if the Z28 loses 100 lbs over a 1SS they will have done a fantastic job.

[nester7929]

I honestly don't see the Camaro shedding a ton of weight until the next generation. There's not a whole lot they can do until the Alpha platform and 5.5L are released.

[wildpaws]

Originally Posted by nester7929

I honestly don't see the Camaro shedding a ton of weight until the next generation. There's not a whole lot they can do until the Alpha platform and 5.5L are released.

And I agree with your statement, I've said before that they might be able to lose a very few pounds in a fifth gen, but I think the sixth gen is where they'll be able to do more.
Clyde

[IROCthe6.0]

Am i being greedy asking for 200 pound drop? LOL

[IamJacksCamaro]

Originally Posted by IROCthe6.0

Am i being greedy asking for 200 pound drop? LOL

I don't think so. I believe that if GM eliminates most of the sound insulation there would be a serious drop in weight. It is so quiet inside my Camaro, there must be a lot of sound insulation.

[Blizzard]

I think we need to stop complaining about the weight of then camaro. We all know its heavy and there isnt much GM can really do about it.

[Number 3]

If they ever do a Z28, GM should use the exact same weight reduction targets used in the Gen1 Z28.

[thePill]

It would be very difficult to reduce the Z28's weight below the SS's. The suspension upgrades would be heavy themselves, suspension is the one place you do not want to save weight. Some of the IRS links could see some weight loss but it wouldn't be much, maybe a few pounds in the rear but that’s about it. Moving to 19" wheels (18" inch wheels would be better) using a forged or flow formed aluminum wheel could see a nice weight reduction. The Conti GS series usually use 18" BBK's and those wheels weigh about 20lbs a piece which is about 10lbs lighter in the front and 12lbs lighter in the rear, a piece... that’s 40+lbs total. Its possible to lose a few pounds in the tires as well, 6-18lbs in tires is possible. That 50lbs saved in wheels and tires is a great start to offset the weight gained from heavy sways, springs and shocks. If the Z28 is going to be similar to the SS weight, then we can honestly lose some weight in the braking system. We could use the same rotor diameters but use a two piece front and rear which should be a solid 20lbs right there.

Weight could be lost in the driveshaft too, I know for sure that a one piece aluminum driveshaft weighs half of what a stock driveshaft does. That could be a 20lb savings there. There is around 50-60lbs of sound deadening material in the Mustang, not saying that all of that material had to be removed but, that is something that could be looked at. Bring the gas tank down to a 16 gallon which is about 18lbs if I remember correctly and a fully race inspired interior, non-power cloth race buckets and cloth, easy removal, rear race seat inserts.. there is at least 50lbs to be shed in the interior... A power driver's seat vs. a non-power passenger seat weight is about 20lbs. The ZL1 exhaust could be used, hopefully the ZL1 exhaust is 20-25lbs lighter than the SS.... Here is the bad news though, some suspension work can add 80lbs or more if you add in chassis bracing which would certainly be required. I know some of these figures are quick and some of the reductions might be a no-go but a Z28 that has a 3840lbs curb weight isn't impossible and with a higher engine output of say, 455-465hp, the Z28 would be pretty impressive especially at a $40,000 MSRP...

Edit: GM needs to take a look at the Grand Am Rolex series GT Camaro's to see where they have relocated the suspension mounting points on their cars. I know they are tube framed Camaro's but they still use the factory suspension...

[Fightinfire921]

Originally Posted by Number 3

If they ever do a Z28, GM should use the exact same weight reduction targets used in the Gen1 Z28.

The things that come to mind off the top of my head are air conditioning, auto transmission, and those heavy ass bowties.

[Number 3]

Originally Posted by WYKOFF69Z

The things that come to mind off the top of my head are air conditioning, auto transmission, and those heavy ass bowties.

Keep in mind, at least with my limited knowledge, air conditioning was an option on all Camaros..................including the Z28. And not allowing an automatic is not the same as light weighting. that's just limiting options. Like saying you can't get the heaviest possible car by not allowing a sunroof to be ordered because it adds weight.

So preventing the addition of weight is not the same thing as taking weight off.