[Sidedraft]

Yeah, the LS7 mention doesn't seem plausible. Would the LS7 even pass emissions under 2016+ regulations?

I just get a tingle anytime someone mentions a 6th gen Z

[KaBoom1701]

The LS7 is dead...let it rest in peace.

[LbulletM]

Did the Z/28 have the same LS7 heads issues as the Z06?

[SpeedIsLife]

Originally Posted by LbulletM

Did the Z/28 have the same LS7 heads issues as the Z06?

Yes

[LbulletM]

Then good riddance if it's gone. Sounds like it's time for the LT2/LT3. (To wedge between the 1 and 4 )

[Autonaut]

Originally Posted by KaBoom1701

The LS7 is dead...let it rest in peace.

Amen.

The lack of a high strung LT7(or equivalent) will also show if the emmision requirements have found the limits of single cam v8's.. So far the architecture has put a hurting on the competition for many years but in the realm of high revving engines it's possible the design has reached it's limit in production vehicles..

Exciting times ahead, thats for sure.

[fradaj]

Originally Posted by bdavies11

We know LT5 and LTX are reserved for something. GM trademarked those engine names a couple of years ago. We just don't know exactly what they'll be yet.

I always assumed the LTX would be reserved for a future Z/28 and/or performance Vette.

I'd also guess the LT5 would probably be reserved for the twin turbo V8 Caddy's.

While we are speculating, how about a short stroke 5.7L LT1/LTX built like the LS7 that is high revving and makes about 530HP. Maybe using both DI and PFI.

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

I would think an 'LT7' (gen V equivalent to the LS7) or even a high-output variant of the LT1 (akin to the LS6 from the C5 Z06) is far more likely than an LS7.

That said, I have a sneaking suspicion that GM will 'merge' the Z/28 & ZL1 into a single car, much like what was done with the Z06 & ZR1.

You're probably right, unfortunately.

[xgnxs]

I really don't think they'll merge the two cars, as they're very different. Z/28 is a hardcore track car and ZL1 is a high powered grand touring car (or whatever you want to call it). Whereas the Z06 was high performance and the ZR1 was highest performance. Merging the Z/28 and ZL1 would compromise the spirit of one or both cars. You'd either have a slightly more track focused ZL1 (carbon ceramic brakes, is one example) or a more touring focused Z/28 (softer suspension not optimized for the track like the current Z/28, no optional air conditioning / radio, no weight reduction over the base SS, heated and cooled seats, etc) depending on how you look at it. I don't think the buyer of a ZL1 necessarily wants a Z/28, and vice versa. I think they're both very good at what they do and should continue to be separate cars in their own right.

[SpeedIsLife]

Originally Posted by xgnxs

I really don't think they'll merge the two cars, as they're very different. Z/28 is a hardcore track car and ZL1 is a high powered grand touring car (or whatever you want to call it). Whereas the Z06 was high performance and the ZR1 was highest performance. Merging the Z/28 and ZL1 would compromise the spirit of one or both cars. You'd either have a slightly more track focused ZL1 (carbon ceramic brakes, is one example) or a more touring focused Z/28 (softer suspension not optimized for the track like the current Z/28, no optional air conditioning / radio, no weight reduction over the base SS, heated and cooled seats, etc) depending on how you look at it. I don't think the buyer of a ZL1 necessarily wants a Z/28, and vice versa. I think they're both very good at what they do and should continue to be separate cars in their own right.

Unfortunately GM'S recent track record doesn't support your beliefs.

The C5 and C6 Z cars were both "NA track monsters" and GM still combined them into the C7 Z06. The Camaro isn't special enough to avoid a fate that the Corvette couldn't

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by xgnxs

I really don't think they'll merge the two cars, as they're very different. Z/28 is a hardcore track car and ZL1 is a high powered grand touring car (or whatever you want to call it). Whereas the Z06 was high performance and the ZR1 was highest performance. Merging the Z/28 and ZL1 would compromise the spirit of one or both cars. You'd either have a slightly more track focused ZL1 (carbon ceramic brakes, is one example) or a more touring focused Z/28 (softer suspension not optimized for the track like the current Z/28, no optional air conditioning / radio, no weight reduction over the base SS, heated and cooled seats, etc) depending on how you look at it. I don't think the buyer of a ZL1 necessarily wants a Z/28, and vice versa. I think they're both very good at what they do and should continue to be separate cars in their own right.

I disagree. The C5 and C6 Z06s were all about light weight, naturally aspirated performance. The C7 is not. The previous Zs were manual only and fixed roofs only. The C7 is not.

The C7 Z06 is a complete departure from the previous generations.

Our hope is the people who stopped the ZL1 from being the Z/28 can keep it from happening this generation.

[KMPrenger]

Do one of two things:

1) Offer a ZL1 with the LT4 and try their best to put it in the 55 - low 60K range and make it an all around car like the 5th gen ZL1. Then offer another track monster, low volume Z/28 with an n/a engine.

2) Go Fords route, except using the LT4 instead of an n/a engine and offer lots of varying packages for the Z/28, starting with a "tour" model in the range mentioned above with creature comforts, to a more hardcore model utilizing track suspension, cooling, weight savings costing considerably higher than the "base" Z/28 car.

[SuperSound]

If there is only one, the Z/28 will be dropped and the ZL1 will continue based on Al O's views on what the Z/28 should be.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by xgnxs

I really don't think they'll merge the two cars, as they're very different. Z/28 is a hardcore track car and ZL1 is a high powered grand touring car (or whatever you want to call it). Whereas the Z06 was high performance and the ZR1 was highest performance. Merging the Z/28 and ZL1 would compromise the spirit of one or both cars. You'd either have a slightly more track focused ZL1 (carbon ceramic brakes, is one example) or a more touring focused Z/28 (softer suspension not optimized for the track like the current Z/28, no optional air conditioning / radio, no weight reduction over the base SS, heated and cooled seats, etc) depending on how you look at it. I don't think the buyer of a ZL1 necessarily wants a Z/28, and vice versa. I think they're both very good at what they do and should continue to be separate cars in their own right.

I agree that they're different, but thats not enough to stop the bean counters from trying to combine them in order to cut R&D costs.

And keep in mind, the Z/28 as we know it wasn't really part of the plan on the 5th gen. Not at the beginning at least. When the ZL1 was under development, it was intended to be a Z28. The name was changed shortly before it debuted in 2011, at the insistence of Z/28 loyalists within the Camaro team. Only after that did they decide to do a true Z/28.