Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 vs. Pontiac Firebird Trans-Am

[bill25]

Cool retro article.
http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/che ... rison-test

Perfect platform for a resto mod. Stock drive train was a joke but the Trans Am looked great. Someone also pointed out that the New RAV4 has almost the same performance specs. Can't wait to get the firebird painted on the hood of the Trans RAV4 Am.

[kevm14]

It was a treat for Turner to work on a machine like the Z/28. For the past four years he had been assigned to Chevrolet's new B-body intermediates, and it was he and his fellows who created the "F-41" optional suspension that makes large, solid-axle sedans handle like tiny sports cars. "There is only one way to make a suspension work, and that's out here," he said gesturing at the blurred dirt banks and cactus. "I've worked with computers, and they'll only take you so far. Then you have to get out here and drive'em. You take a lot of cars like this with big front sway bars, and when you drive'em really hard you get bad under-steer and the feeling that the front wheels are doing all the work. I like to feel the rear wheels working too. That's where this car really has an edge."

B-bodies! F41 was sweet. And I like the chassis comments on a large front bar. Exactly right.

[kevm14]

Don Sherman pining for the unistalk in 1977? Priceless.

However they both need to be updated; for instance, thin-shell bucket seats with full-back adjustments and stalk controls for the headlight dimmer and windshield wiper/washer are long overdue.

[kevm14]

The original Z/28 was introduced in late 1967 as an option symbol for the high-performance 302-cubic inch engine that was available in the Camaro of that era. Now it stands for a suspension system, rather than an engine (which is a stock LM-1, 350-cu. in.) four-barrel V-8 with an increased diameter air-conditioning pulley). It is expected to produce about 180 hp, and that typifies the change in thinking in Detroit, where nimble roadholding has replaced raw, eyeball-rupturing acceleration as the central theme of performance automobiles.

The LM1 was used as the B-body 9C1 engine until 1988. In 1989 they finally introduced the L05 to B-bodies (9C1 only).