Quote:
Originally Posted by BlaqWhole
And then what would they do with all the leftover LT4s which they spent tons of money and R&D to develop, perfect, and work into the Z06 and ZL1 chassis? Just scrap them? Throw them into the SS and bring that MSRP up? And then what about all the LT1s? And then what happens after that when the SS costs as much as a ZL1, the ZL1 costs as much as a Z06, and the Z06 becomes useless because it is now basically as expensive as a ZR1? And then something comes along that has more HP than the LT4 powered SS so we do this all over again until even the 1LS costs as much as a ZL1. I exaggerate but surely you see why this would be impossible and very impractical to do.
I wouldn't want a LT5 powered ZL1 because then it would cost much more than I got it for and at that price I'd just get something else. I am an enthusiast. But I'm practical. And the LT5 going into the ZL1 would take away from what the ZR1 is which is one of a kind. Look at it like this, V6 guys and turbo 4 guys would love the LT1. But what would that make the SS? So to me, I love the Camaro, but the Z06 is a step up and the ZR1 is top dog and that is how it should remain.
|
You're over thinking this. The LT5 is pretty much just an LT4 with a bigger blower and added port injection. It doesn't and wouldn't cost a dime more, save for the addition of port injection, with its added injector/s and fuel lines. There would be no scrapping of engines. They would simply stop bolting on the tiny blower, unless they decide to drop it in something else. Maybe a sport truck or SUV. As far as the LT5 needing to be perfected for the ZL1, the Z can easily handle the 100 extra horses, and probably do it better than the Vette does, just like it did the LT4. If any adjustments in the PTM was needed for the road course, it would be some minor tweaks to roll on the power a tad slower with the extra grunt, but I believe the current settings would handle it just fine.
The ZR1 would still be just as special and still the fastest car due to the lower weight and wider tires. The ZL1 would then equal or beat the Z06, but I still don't think that would affect the sell of the Z06, because if someone wants a really fast Vette, they're going to buy the ZR1 if they can afford it, and if not, they'll buy the Z06 no matter how the Camaro compares to it.
I would even venture to say that the Camaro team has already been playing with Zs with LT5s or at least engines making that same level of power, and just simply waiting to release it at some point. My guess would be shortly after or right before Ford starts selling the GT500.