A Tribute To The Fifth-Generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28
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Earlier this month, we reported that General Motors has indeed canceled the development of the sixth-generation Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. In that vein, we’ve decided to pay tribute to the fifth-gen model.
With its 505-horsepower, all-aluminum, 7.0-liter LS7 V8 under the hood and a Dynamic Suspensions Spool Valve (DSSV) damper at each corner, which made it one of the first production vehicles to feature the technology, there’s no questioning the purpose of the Camaro Z/28: to be the most track-capable Camaro ever. To put it more objectively, this muscle car was capable of up to 1.08 g in cornering acceleration and 1.5 g in deceleration.
The Camaro Z/28’s LS7 engine is rated at an SAE-certified 505 horsepower (376 kW) and 481 pound-feet of torque (652 Nm), complementing the lightweight vehicle components to give the car its enviable 7.6:1 power-to-weight ratio, while delivering the power and stability to accelerate strongly out of corners and achieve high straightaway speeds.
The robust powertrain and Formula 1-derived suspension are just two of the several characteristics that made the fifth-gen Camaro Z/28 such a potent track weapon. Its aerodynamically-optimized exterior was developed to generate just the right amount of downforce at speed. As a result, the Z/28 produces 410 pounds more downforce than the Camaro SS at 150 mph. In addition to downforce, engineers and designers of the Camaro Z/28 looked for every opportunity to improve cooling of the powertrain and the brake system.
The primary aerodynamic components included:
- Rear spoiler with ‘wickerbill’, which is a small, vertical tab at the edge of the spoiler. Although an aesthetically minor change, it adds approximately 28 counts of drag, improving rear lift performance by 70 counts. This allows the Z/28 to handle turns at higher speeds and delivers greater overall high-speed stability.
- Unique front fascia features an airflow-optimized grille – including an open bowtie logo unofficially called Flowtie – for enhanced cooling and a modified fascia bottom that incorporates provisions for the brake cooling ducts.
- Front splitter that provides downforce at the front of the car, enhancing cornering capability and high-speed stability. It is designed to withstand 250 pounds of downforce at its tip and is matched with an aero closeout panel under the front of the engine compartment that also enhances aero characteristics.
- Functional carbon fiber hood extractor that provides increased engine cooling by allowing hot air an exit route. The design is similar to the extractor featured on the Camaro ZL1.
- Rocker moldings that provide aggressive styling and improved aerodynamic performance.
- Unique wheel flare moldings cover the Z/28’s wide tires. Meanwhile, deflectors at the bottom-front corners of the front wheel flares contribute to the car’s downforce-producing aerodynamics.
- Front wheelhouse liners with closeouts work with the vehicle underbody for optimal airflow.
- Belly pan that helps reduce front lift. Along with the aero benefit, it also contributes to drivetrain cooling, with modified NACA duct profiles designed to draw air into the underbody tunnel area, where the highly energized air provides extra cooling for underbody components.
Other notable features of the fifth-gen Camaro Z28 include Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes, which provide consistent brake feel, lap after lap, along with a notably reduced curb weight. What’s more, the naturally aspirated Z/28 weighs 300 pounds less than the supercharged Camaro ZL1. A whopping nine pounds were saved by eliminating the folding portion of the rear seat and then using high-density foam in place of the rigid structure of the seat back and steel mesh of the seat bottom.
Other forms of weight savings included:
- Removal of some interior sound deadener, as well as trunk carpet
- Use of a smaller, lighter battery
- Thinner rear-window glass – 3.2 mm vs. the standard 3.5 mm
- Elimination of high-intensity discharge, or HID, headlamps and fog lights
- No air conditioning except as part of the car’s only option package
- Elimination of tire-inflator kit in all states except for Rhode Island and Maryland, where it is required by law
In fact, 100 percent of the un-sprung mass (suspension, wheels, tires and brake system) has been changed from the Camaro SS, dramatically enhancing the balance and overall driving feel of the Z/28.
All that made this car, if we may call it that, an absolute beast on the track, especially at the hands of a skilled pilot. But what all the specs can’t communicate is how the Z/28 feels to drive. In a sentence, everything in the car feels perfect during bouts of the most challenging track situations. And as we remember the fifth-gen Camaro Z/28 for what it was, we should also recognize what it is, because it is almost certainly the last naturally-aspirated, analog, track-dedicated vehicles that GM will build.
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The z28 was also named the 2014 MotorTrend best driver’s car furthermore Jaguar benchmarked it alongside the 911 GT3 when they were developing the Project 8.
No engine development needed, LS7 powered gen 6. The journalists would have done the marketing for them. It would have had zero work cut out for street cred, as the fifth gen paved the way, what a shame.
Instead of trying to get the new model right to battle the Mustang, GM quit. That’s kind of who they are now.
It appears to be the end of an era. The Z28 option package has been iconic since it’s first appearance in 1967.
A sad day for Camaro heritage.
GM has so many other track capable vehicles that compete against almost every other car manufacture that produces track worthy vehicles. The Z28 was for the purest who wanted a race car without a supercharger. The car was for a niche group who were pure race car enthusiasts. GM sidelined the Camaro for a few years brought it back and made it better. Hence the ZL1 which is the direct competition for the mustang, hellcat and all other entry level track cars including porches.
The corvette is GM’s next level up for track capable cars. When the C8 appears tomorrow it will begin to start its climb for the exotics.
GM didn’t give up on the Z28…. it will be back. They are simply reinventing themselves as a next level brand.
“GM didn’t give up on the Z28…. it will be back.”
I hope you’re right, but I have this nagging feeling that when the 6th gen Camaro runs it’s course in 2023, it’ll get dropped. Or worse, be “re-invented” as some sort of EV Frankenstein with little more to connect it to Z28 heritage than a badge and some blacked-out body panels. 🙁
The automotive landscape has greatly changed in the last couple of years; those of us who care about performance are of a different generation and mindset than that of young people these days. The market for pony and muscle cars is dwindling every day as new buyers opt instead for SUVs and pickups—or else public transportation because they don’t even see the need to get a drivers license.
The 5th Gen Z/28 was impressive indeed. GM engineers had to work with the 5th Gen platform, add power, cut weight and make it outright perform on the track. They succeeded with flying colors. Sure, some head-to-head comps. had the GT350 out dueling the Z, but the GT350 was a brand new car, built from the ground up. Flat-plane crank “VooDoo” V8, MagneRide, weight savings, etc.. Again, GM (essentially) made a track star out of the parts bin and it destroyed cars costing twice as much! Beast Mode!
While I agree the 5th gen Z28 is an awesome track weapon, I wonder how it compares to the 6th gen SS 1LE’s? With no A/C and a one speaker radio, it wasn’t much fun to drive on hot days!
The restricted option list that excluded creature comforts harks back to the days of the L88 Corvettes; radios, heaters, power windows/seats/etc. were not included as a means of discouraging people from buying a limited-production, race-intended vehicle and then trying to drive it on the street.
The few 5th gen Z28s that were built in 2014/15 (probably less than 2000 total, although AFAIK, GM never officially quoted Z28 production numbers) will start showing up at the high-dollar collector car auctions before too long, likely at somewhere around double their original sticker price.
Thank you, Francisco, for all the technical details that I will stash in my fantasy garage folder. I’m too poor to own a Z/28, and too old to race one, but I frequently watch the video of one being driven for time around the Nurburgring. Engine and exhaust sounds are what I appreciate most, and while I generally prefer the sound of a high-performance Mustang V8, the sound recorded while the Z/28 was making that run is the prettiest music I have ever heard. On the other hand, the noise produced by the new Mustang GT500 while having the throttle blipped by a factory man in the premiere video was hideous. It is in the category of foreign tiny 4-cylinders turbocharged within a psi of destruction. Screeching, screaming sound. I’m hoping they sound good just driving around town.
https://youtu.be/kz70cXFrQ5A