[Mr Twisty]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

The bulk of the weight saved was in the wheels, tires, and brakes. With the ZL1 still using big 20" wheels and massive steel brakes, there is quite a bit of low hanging fruit to pick off.

A lot of the other stuff generally removed weight from the rear, which I think the team might want to avoid this time due to the existing front weight bias. They might look into do things like aluminum or maybe even carbon fibre front fenders instead of doing things like removing sound deadening and shaving the rear glass. Then again, it wouldn't make too much sense to setup tooling for just Z/28 front fenders when they could just as easily be used on a ZL1 as well.

Point is, there are plenty of opportunities to cut weight on the Z/28. While doing the exact sames things as last time might not achieve the same weight loss ... I don't expect them to do the exact same things this time.

True, maybe that's where the CF wheel comments originated. Isn't the ZL1 already going to use a different front fender? Going to aluminum or CF would be ounces, but many ounces here and there add up to pounds.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by Mr Twisty

True, maybe that's where the CF wheel comments originated. Isn't the ZL1 already going to use a different front fender? Going to aluminum or CF would be ounces, but many ounces here and there add up to pounds.

Aluminum fenders should save a lot more than a few ounces. A fender typically comes it at what, 30 lbs? That seems about right for a piece of sheet steel of roughly 20 square feet. Rule of thumb says an aluminum part of equal strength will weight 60% of a steel part. That would make for 18 lb fenders, round up to 20 to be conservative.

But I have no idea how easy it would be for an OEM to replace a major body panel like that. I know hoods and trunk lids are pretty easy. Door skins, I think, are fairly easy. But fenders are probably a different story.

[90503]

Regarding weight, what's the real difference in engine weight between the LT4 and let's say the LS7 or a possible "LT7"....?...Or is it just enough to know that the LT4 is heavier because of the S/C?

[Egon]

I would assume that a theoretical LT7 7.0 Liter engine would weigh basically the same as an LT1 since it would be using the exact same Gen V block as the LT1 just with a longer stroke crank. Any other possible parts changes such as exhaust or intake manifold would be negligible weight wise. There could be a slight difference if they decide to go with a dry sump system like the LS7 had but it wouldn't be needed for clearance reasons unless they decide to locate the motor lower down in the front of the car. However a dry sump would be beneficial to prevent oil starvation under high cornering loads. So the weight difference would just be the additional supercharger, intercooler and accessory drive.

[oldman]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Aluminum fenders should save a lot more than a few ounces. A fender typically comes it at what, 30 lbs? That seems about right for a piece of sheet steel of roughly 20 square feet. Rule of thumb says an aluminum part of equal strength will weight 60% of a steel part. That would make for 18 lb fenders, round up to 20 to be conservative.

But I have no idea how easy it would be for an OEM to replace a major body panel like that. I know hoods and trunk lids are pretty easy. Door skins, I think, are fairly easy. But fenders are probably a different story.

Just changed a fender on a 2016 Malibu, It is about the same size fender as a Camaro, I'd say 15 lbs for it. It was surprisingly light. From my Integra Type R: hatch, hood, doors are the biggest weight changes to carbon fiber, the fenders and rear spoiler was nothing.

[Mr Twisty]

According to Seibon, the 5th gen fenders are 10 lb each, CF replacements are 6 lb each. 6th gen should be similar. It would be possible to stamp aluminum fenders to save a few lbs, and if they already have two different sets of fender die, that would certainly be a selling point, stamping ZL1 and Z/28 wider fenders from Al.

CF is still too labor intensive/expensive for a decorative panel like a fender, IMO. Hood and deck is more viable in CF for weight savings, because it's also replacing the heavier stiffening structure underneath the decorative skin. But still stupid expensive.

Doors in CF are dangerous unless there's a serious cage in the car. A modern door (not just the skin) is built to keep a high speed 4,000 lb bullet from invading your personal space in case of a side impact, and it's noticeable when you lift one.

There's a serious horizontal structure inside a modern door that ties the A and B pillars together, along with the door sill when the door is closed. (That pin on the bottom of the door that goes in a slot on the sill.)

Other than these, the rest of the exterior skin (except the new roof and bumper fascias) is part of the monocoque, so it is what it is unless you have DEEP pockets full of big bills

[GrimReaperSS]

I would say look back to the 2011 Carbon Edition Z06 for a close portrait of how CF could trickle down to a Camaro platform. The roof, hood and all aero bits (as well as the brake package) were CF on that car.

[Denis]

Originally Posted by 90503

Regarding weight, what's the real difference in engine weight between the LT4 and let's say the LS7 or a possible "LT7"....?...Or is it just enough to know that the LT4 is heavier because of the S/C?

http://blog.caranddriver.com/2015-ch...-lt4-v-8-tick/

Fully dressed, the LT4, with aluminum block and heads, weighs 529 pounds, which is a moderate gain in mass over that of the 454-pound LS7.

[Mr Twisty]

Originally Posted by GrimReaperSS

I would say look back to the 2011 Carbon Edition Z06 for a close portrait of how CF could trickle down to a Camaro platform. The roof, hood and all aero bits (as well as the brake package) were CF on that car.

I think CF would add too much of a premium to the price, but the idea of aluminum is growing on me, wouldn't be such a big price hit, and more insurance rate friendly.

A handful of CF panel cars would be cool though, just because they can. Maybe 67 cars?

[90503]

FWIW, I believe the Camaro hood already is aluminum....

[Ghost7997]

Originally Posted by 90503

FWIW, I believe the Camaro hood already is aluminum....

But, for a track focused car, why not go Carbon Fiber? It would cost extra, but this is Chevy's track car. It seems as though it is worth it if it will be to crush the competition.

[Bhobbs]

Originally Posted by Denis

http://blog.caranddriver.com/2015-ch...-lt4-v-8-tick/

Ouch, I'm surprised it's such a big difference.

The problem is only going to get worse if they drop too much weight from the car. The weight of the LT4 is fixed making the front/rear balance even worse.

[2SSRS@Gen5diy]

Gm needs to keep the Z/28 N.A. its the only way to run a true track car, ran 8 30 min track sessions this weekend, car ran hard true them all, temps all in good range, no high temps no heat soak.

[BaylorCamaro]

I think the most telling thing about engine selection is to look at the C7 Grand Sport that is coming out. When the C7 Z06 came out, Tadge Juechter is on record saying that there is no need for a C7 Grand Sport because they have the Z51 option and then the Z06. However people complained about the poor performance of the LT4 on track, so what does Team Corvette do? Take everything great about the Z06/07 and replace the engine. What do they replace it with? The LT1. If GM had some sort of super secret LT7 or other track focused engine I have to think that the C7 would also get it, rather than making do with the LT1 in the GS.