By Jason
Debler & Chris
Frezza of WWW.CAMAROZ28.COM
AN OVERVIEW
Due to the recent sightings in leading
publications and on Detroit's highways, there has been a certain amount of hype
and controversy developed over the newly redesigned 1998 Camaro, especially
on the F-Body mailing list. Those
who have seen it have seemingly mixed thoughts on the visual aspects of the
car which sports little more changes than a completely redesigned front fascia.
Many seem to like the change, their thoughts possibly fueled by what lies behind
the new fascia and under the hood, the powerful LS1 engine derived Chevrolet's
flag ship, the C5 Corvette.
A NEW IMAGE WITH MORE POWER
Chris and I recently participated in the
18th Annual Camaro Street Nationals at the GM Tech Center in Warren, Michigan
where Chevrolet had one of their '98 Camaro Z28s on display. Although
I myself have caught fleeting glimpses of several being tested on I-696 between
Brighton and Detroit, Michigan, it is still not yet easy for the average consumer
and admirer to get a close look at one. Here are some images and thoughts
on the model we saw at the show:
 |
| Here is the brand new 1998 Chevrolet
Camaro Z28. The first thing we did was thoroughly check
over the newly revised car from end to end. A glance from
the back would make you think it was a '97 Z28 as the rear of
the car is unchanged from that year's model. However, if
you move around to the front, you will see the flush-mounted headlights,
enlarged grill and relocated driving lamps. |
|
| Let's take a closer look. Ram-air? Unfortunately
no, but the two inlets that bring fresh air into the new LS1
motor appear to be a less restrictive than previous models.
As you can see, the headlight system consists of a large capsule
divided into two compartments. The fog lights are small
projection-style and are embedded deep into the lower corners
of the front fascia. |
|
 |
 |
| Under the hood lies the powerful
LS1. It seems as though it is slightly easier to work
on than the previous Z28 with the LT1 engine. Performance-minded
enthusiasts take note: the spark plugs are a little easier
to reach due to the design of LS1's exhaust manifold, and
the fuel pressure regulator has been relocated so it is
not as far under the windshield cowl than on the LT1. |
|
| What puzzles us are the two chambers on both sides of
the intake that are right behind the radiator shroud and
just before the air intake. Under the watchful eye
of a GM employee, we managed to dismantle the intake on
another LS1 Z28 at a previous Camaro event earlier this
year. We discovered that there is no visible reason
for the presence of these chambers, but our guess is to
reduce incoming air noise. |
|
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A test drive! Next
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