5th Gen Not Competitive in Autocross?
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Overdrive Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,042
From: IL
5th Gen Not Competitive in Autocross?
Just to stir the pot and stimulate discussion...
FYI, interesting discussion and comments from a suspension and SCCA autocross guru, Sam Strano from http://stranoparts.com over on LS1Tech:
"First of all, I now hold a total of 15 SCCA Championships (of the Nationwide variety, not regional, divisional type stuff--not sure I can count that high). I've won about half in F-bodies and half in Mustangs. I owned multiple versions of both cars. I am a pony-car guy.
GM killed the Camaro in 2002. It took them years to have another one. What they came up with isn't my cup of tea. It's heavy, it's cramped (for me with a helmet on), it's wide, it's got screwy wheels and a stock suspension that's not as adjustable in the front. And with the 5.0 in the Mustang, doesn't really hold any sort of power advantage to make those shortcomings up. Years back when I first got in the Mustangs, a GM employee working on the 5th gen project called to ask what I would want to see on the car for autox use. Those things never happened--maybe because they don't car, maybe because of the lack of money. I don't know.
There are a lot of assumptions being made about why I don't do X, Y, or Z. I have my reasons. In this case, I wasn't shelling out $30+k for a car that was not competitive. My business is largely based on the fact I don't just sell parts--but that I USE parts and understand how they work, and win with them. I'm not tying myself to a car that can't win for loyalty. And fwiw, Ford has done way more to help me than GM ever did.
I'm considering what to do for next year, and that might include another LS1 powered car, but that's TBD at this point. "
FYI, interesting discussion and comments from a suspension and SCCA autocross guru, Sam Strano from http://stranoparts.com over on LS1Tech:
"First of all, I now hold a total of 15 SCCA Championships (of the Nationwide variety, not regional, divisional type stuff--not sure I can count that high). I've won about half in F-bodies and half in Mustangs. I owned multiple versions of both cars. I am a pony-car guy.
GM killed the Camaro in 2002. It took them years to have another one. What they came up with isn't my cup of tea. It's heavy, it's cramped (for me with a helmet on), it's wide, it's got screwy wheels and a stock suspension that's not as adjustable in the front. And with the 5.0 in the Mustang, doesn't really hold any sort of power advantage to make those shortcomings up. Years back when I first got in the Mustangs, a GM employee working on the 5th gen project called to ask what I would want to see on the car for autox use. Those things never happened--maybe because they don't car, maybe because of the lack of money. I don't know.
There are a lot of assumptions being made about why I don't do X, Y, or Z. I have my reasons. In this case, I wasn't shelling out $30+k for a car that was not competitive. My business is largely based on the fact I don't just sell parts--but that I USE parts and understand how they work, and win with them. I'm not tying myself to a car that can't win for loyalty. And fwiw, Ford has done way more to help me than GM ever did.
I'm considering what to do for next year, and that might include another LS1 powered car, but that's TBD at this point. "
Thread Starter
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Overdrive Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,042
From: IL
Lookie here, GM is listening...
FYI, The Camaro SSX Track Car Concept from SEMA (flame suit on
):
More pics here:
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113904
FYI, The Camaro SSX Track Car Concept from SEMA (flame suit on
):More pics here:
http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=113904
Thread Starter
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Overdrive Member
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4,042
From: IL
Looks like she's gonna coming to life?!!!:
2011 CHEVROLET CAMARO SSX PFADT TRACK CAR CONCEPT
Ever since the new Chevrolet Camaro’s launch last year, owners have explored the performance potential of the car. The Camaro SSX Track Car is a concept for transforming a street Camaro SS into a closed-course track car, and a showcase for new performance parts.
“The SSX concept explores taking Camaro’s excellent street performance and extending it into a road course context,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “The car expresses Camaro performance while also signaling Chevrolet’s new commitment to developing and offering a portfolio of performance parts for racing enthusiasts."
The Camaro SSX Track Car has a purposeful aesthetic, with exterior appointments and suspension modifications aimed at road course performance. They include carbon fiber aero parts – front splitter and adjustable rear wing – lightweight carbon fiber body panels, revised lower grille and unique brake cooling ducts. The carbon body panels significantly lower the Camaro’s weight, as does the elimination of much of the production car’s sound-deadening material, carpeting and rear seat.
Low-gloss Icy White Metallic exterior paint is contrasted with the carbon aero parts, door graphics/racing number and red details; and this competition-ready Camaro rolls on dedicated track wheels and tires. This concept was constructed with input from Pratt and Miller, Chevrolet partner in Corvette Racing, and Riley Technologies using parts proven in the Grand Am racing series.
Exterior:
* Icy White Metallic color with red accents and door graphics
* Carbon fiber hood, fenders, door and deck lid
* Exposed carbon fiber front splitter, rockers and adjustable rear wing
* Unique lower grille and brake ducts
Interior:
* Carpeting, sound deadener and rear seat deleted
* Ace suede-covered racing steering wheel and shifter
* SCCA-approved roll cage and window net
* Racing driver’s seat with five-point harness
* Racing pedals
* Fire suppression system
* Fuel cell
* Video camera system mounted on the roll cage
Performance:
* LS3 6.2L V-8 enhanced with Chevrolet Performance Parts’ camshaft, cylinder heads and dry-sump oiling system
* Production six-speed manual transmission
with Corvette ZR1 twin-disc clutch
* Low-restriction air induction and exhaust systems
* Four-wheel disc racing brake system with six-piston front/four-piston rear calipers and drilled and slotted rotors
* Modified production suspension with Pfadt licensed components
* 20-inch racing wheels and tires
Video from GM' John Fitzpatrick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZuPp...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhhfU...layer_embedded
URL="http://www.pfadtracing.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/1420"]
[/URL]
2011 CHEVROLET CAMARO SSX PFADT TRACK CAR CONCEPT
Ever since the new Chevrolet Camaro’s launch last year, owners have explored the performance potential of the car. The Camaro SSX Track Car is a concept for transforming a street Camaro SS into a closed-course track car, and a showcase for new performance parts.
“The SSX concept explores taking Camaro’s excellent street performance and extending it into a road course context,” said Chris Perry, vice president, Chevrolet marketing. “The car expresses Camaro performance while also signaling Chevrolet’s new commitment to developing and offering a portfolio of performance parts for racing enthusiasts."
The Camaro SSX Track Car has a purposeful aesthetic, with exterior appointments and suspension modifications aimed at road course performance. They include carbon fiber aero parts – front splitter and adjustable rear wing – lightweight carbon fiber body panels, revised lower grille and unique brake cooling ducts. The carbon body panels significantly lower the Camaro’s weight, as does the elimination of much of the production car’s sound-deadening material, carpeting and rear seat.
Low-gloss Icy White Metallic exterior paint is contrasted with the carbon aero parts, door graphics/racing number and red details; and this competition-ready Camaro rolls on dedicated track wheels and tires. This concept was constructed with input from Pratt and Miller, Chevrolet partner in Corvette Racing, and Riley Technologies using parts proven in the Grand Am racing series.
Exterior:
* Icy White Metallic color with red accents and door graphics
* Carbon fiber hood, fenders, door and deck lid
* Exposed carbon fiber front splitter, rockers and adjustable rear wing
* Unique lower grille and brake ducts
Interior:
* Carpeting, sound deadener and rear seat deleted
* Ace suede-covered racing steering wheel and shifter
* SCCA-approved roll cage and window net
* Racing driver’s seat with five-point harness
* Racing pedals
* Fire suppression system
* Fuel cell
* Video camera system mounted on the roll cage
Performance:
* LS3 6.2L V-8 enhanced with Chevrolet Performance Parts’ camshaft, cylinder heads and dry-sump oiling system
* Production six-speed manual transmission
with Corvette ZR1 twin-disc clutch
* Low-restriction air induction and exhaust systems
* Four-wheel disc racing brake system with six-piston front/four-piston rear calipers and drilled and slotted rotors
* Modified production suspension with Pfadt licensed components
* 20-inch racing wheels and tires
Video from GM' John Fitzpatrick
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZuPp...layer_embedded
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hhhfU...layer_embedded
URL="http://www.pfadtracing.com/photos/showphoto.php/photo/1420"]
[/URL]
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