Showing posts with label Camaro Z/28. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Camaro Z/28. Show all posts

Thursday, February 20, 2014

How Does The 2014 Z28 Kill the Road Course

LOS ANGELES, CA. NOVEMBER 20:Chevy Camaro Z28 car on display at the LA Auto Show LA Auto Show at the L.A. Convention Center on November 20, 2013 in Los Angeles, CA - stock photo
Since its outstanding performance at Germany’s Nürburgring racetrack -- the toughest road course in the world -- otherwise known as the Green Hell -- talks about just how badass the new Z/28 really is, have never slowed down.

Not only was the Z/28 amazingly fast and ran a whole four seconds faster around the Green Hell (7:37.47) than it's more powerful sibling, the ZL1, it also ran faster than the Porsche 911 Carrera S and Lamborghini Murcielago LP640.

What made this 505hp monster so quick around the Green Hell? Chevrolet engineers say it has to do with three main key factors that they put most of their focus on: increasing grip, increasing stopping performance, and reducing weight.

Recently, Chevrolet released a list of 28 improvements that made it possible for the Camaro to accomplish such impressive times:


1. LS7 engine with dry-sump oiling: features a durable forged-steel crankshaft, lightweight titanium connecting rods and high-flow cylinder heads with lightweight titanium intake valves, as well as racing-style dry-sump oiling system.


2. TREMEC TR6060 six-speed manual transmission: with short throws, smooth gear synchronization and shift feel, the gearbox has the capability to stand up to high-performance engines.


3. 5.1-ratio short-throw shifter: provides quicker, more precise-feeling gear changes.


4. Track capable fuel system: he road course-ready fuel system is designed to keep the primary fuel pump reservoir full even under hard cornering.


5. Air intake system: the LS7 uses a unique open air box intake system to make the most of high-rpm airflow into the engine.


6. Differential cooler: incorporates an integral heat exchanger, eliminating the need for an external pump, wiring, relays, temperature sensors and fan.


7. Strut tower brace: the same as on the Camaro SS 1LE, provides extra chassis stiffness by tying the towers together.


8. Uprated lower control arm ride link “travel limiter” bushing: offers 50-percent greater stiffness at high load than the SS.


9. Active dual-mode exhaust system and high-flow converter assembly: engineered to provide high-flow and muscular sound character under aggressive acceleration, while attenuating noise levels in cruising conditions.


10. Belly pan: helps reduce front lift and contributes to drivetrain cooling.


11. Carbon ceramic brake rotors: 21.16 lbs lighter than steel brake rotors.


12. Brembo carbon ceramic brakes: 60-0 mph in less than 120 feet (36.6m).


13. 19-inch wheels and Perille P Zero Trofeo R tires: the widest front wheels/tires of any comparable sports coupe: 19x11-inch wheels with P305/30/ZR19 tires.


14. Lightweight wheels and tires: 29.1 lbs lighter wheels and tires than on the Camaro SS.


15. Zero-preload limited-slip differential: features a concentric helical gear set that generates friction proportional to the input torque.


16. Higher-rate coil springs and smaller-diameter stabilizer bars: the stiffness rate of the Z/28’s coil springs was increased by 85 percent in the front and 65 percent in the rear.


17. DSSV damper technology: the Z/28 is the first high-volume production road car to use Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve damper technology from Multimatic.


18. Uprated rear upper control arm bushing and lower trailing link bushings: 400 percent and 25 percent stiffer, respectively, compared with the SS.


19. Unique front fascia: although the Z/28’s fascia is based on the Camaro SS, the fog lamps, air dam and the upper-base grille are replaced with covers, reducing weight.


20. Front splitter: designed to withstand 250 pounds of down-force at its tip, it is matched with an aero closeout panel under the front of the engine compartment that also enhances aero characteristics.


21. Hood extractor: made of carbon fiber, it provides increased engine cooling by allowing hot air an exit route.


22. Front wheelhouse liners: work with the vehicle underbody to make the most of airflow.


23. Performance Traction Management: integrates the chassis mode selection, Traction Control and Active Handling Systems.


24. Rear spoiler with wickerbill: to meet down-force requirements for the Z/28, the spoiler was modified with a wickerbill--a small, vertical tab at the edge of the spoiler.


25. Thinner rear window glass: Chevrolet saved 400 grams by reducing the thickness of the rear window glass from 3.5 mm to 3.2 mm.


26. Lightweight rear seat: 10.3 lbs lighter due to reduced seat foam and a fixed seatback design.


27. Rocker moldings and wheel flare moldings: help increase the car’s down-force.


28. No air conditioning: 28.4 lbs were saved.