If You Think The Z/28 Should Have a Free Revving, Normally Aspirated Smallblock .....

Is there really a wrong answer? LT1 vs larger displacment LT1 vs LT4 vs turbo L83 . I think it's all about the desires and positioning of the car.

In these's type of situations I like to ask, "what would Porsche do?"

I think the best answer is a LT3 (Gen V LS3). No AFM, cam in cam phasing, dry sump lube, increase Revs to 7500 rpm, power increased to 490-530hp.

I'm a big block guy so no

You don't think that the engine choice is already signed off on at this late date?...

Ambalanche said:

You don't think that the engine choice is already signed off on at this late date?...

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Sure it is. Just like the ZL1 was going to be the Z28.

They should take a page from the ls6 and the 90's lt4, apply that to the gen v lt1 and there you go. 550 hp NA v8 is what i hope for in the 6th gen z28, maybe even a DOHC lt1?

We might need to create the business case for this engine as well. I say they can co develop an ats v model along side this z/28 share engine and major components to spread cost. A completely track focused atsvr for the street and a z/28.

Hell while you are at it throw it in a Buick too...

I mentioned it before in the other thread, but I'd love to see a 396. I know it's a famous big block displacement and it's not the same as a 302, but it's got cachet. This theoretical 396 would need a new crank and rods, but could use the same bore and possibly the same piston topography as the LT1. Add the LT4's higher-flowing heads, perhaps ported, and it could easily produce more than 500hp. Give it to the Stingray to replace the LT1 as an MCE, and offer a less aggressive camshaft with as-cast heads for use in the HD trucks as well.

63GrandSport001 said:

Hell while you are at it throw it in a Buick too...

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Or a Corvette....

Or a next gen Chevy SS..

Or the Colorado zr2

I think only certain products could share such a "Special Performance" Z/28 engine. Corvette, obviously. Too bad the Z06 name is taken, would be a perfect marketing fit for that name.

Z284ever said:

Or a Corvette....

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Do you think there's room in the line up for a Grand Sport?

dslay04 said:

Do you think there's room in the line up for a Grand Sport?

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I don't know. Doesn't matter what I think. I don't think the Z06 should have a blower, an auto trans or a convertible top, so there's that....

For sure a high redline, quick-revving V8 would be preferable to a heavy iron lung hanging over the front axle. That might work best for the ultimate GT car and drag racers, but not on a road course or autocross. Even if that means the loss of 150 horses over the LT4, I'd bet dollars-to-donuts that the NA motor would be more fun on a daily basis.

I say take the LT1, lighten up every single reciprocating or rotating part as much as possible. Raise the redline to 7000RPM+, use a hotter cam, some free-flowing heads, I'm sure it can get up over 500 horses. Throwing said engine into the ATS-V+, and the Z51 Vette package should more than make up for the investment of getting it into a high-PO Camaro. That could be for the Z28 or even the 1LE if they wind up supercharging the Z28. That might not be what everyone is dreaming of, but I doubt many will complain if that mill runs in a $45K car instead of a $75K rarity.

I think that would be the ideal situation, but I likewise think the LS7 being an off-the-shelf piece helped the current Z/28 program along significantly and a next gen variant isn't going to have that same solid footing to work from. I don't know that I believe GM will be willing to develop something that can really follow the current package properly without the mechanical bits being something they can utilize elsewhere to offset costs.....and it doesn't appear that there are any slam dunk applications for the same waiting in the wings right now with the new Z06 moving to artificial aspiration. This will be an uphill battle IMHO.

A truly track-focused car should NOT have a forced induction powerplant, IMO. Relative lack of throttle linearity and heat-sink issues hurt the car's lap consistency. I know Formula 1 has used turbos but I'm obviously not talking about that kind of car.
That being said, I don't think that the next Z/28 should be so single-minded in its track-focused mission. We just acquired our first C5 Z/28 at my dealership and everyone just scratches their head... who is this car for? There are not enough customers for this kind of Camaro. For the few that exist (who don't just want to buy a future collectible), they should be able to by a body-in-white model like the modern COPOs.
I still think Z/28 should be track-able and normally aspirated like a higher performance 1LE priced closer to the current 1LE. $75,xxx + for a Camaro is ridiculous regardless of the brakes, suspension or tires.

blaksabb said:

A truly track-focused car should NOT have a forced induction powerplant, IMO. Relative lack of throttle linearity and heat-sink issues hurt the car's lap consistency. I know Formula 1 has used turbos but I'm obviously not talking about that kind of car.
That being said, I don't think that the next Z/28 should be so single-minded in its track-focused mission. We just acquired our first C5 Z/28 at my dealership and everyone just scratches their head... who is this car for? There are not enough customers for this kind of Camaro. For the few that exist (who don't just want to buy a future collectible), they should be able to by a body-in-white model like the modern COPOs.
I still think Z/28 should be track-able and normally aspirated like a higher performance 1LE priced closer to the current 1LE. $75,xxx + for a Camaro is ridiculous regardless of the brakes, suspension or tires.

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If there is a way to keep the Z/28's laser like focus and yet make it more accessible, that would be fine by me. Personally, I see no reason why the current Z/28 couldn't be a fine daily driver, beyond the issue of consumables like tires. Al Oppenheiser drove a Z/28 all through last winter and turned it in just recently. The only changes were the tires.