Camaro Wiki - User contributions [en]

Camarobird

2008-06-29T12:43:38Z

RichJ:

The f-body family incorporates both the Chevrolet Camaro as well as the Pontiac Firebird and TransAm models. While enthusiasts of these cars, particularly among internet circles, frequently refer to these platforms collectively by their GM nomenclature -- f-body, another term has developed to describe the f-body cars -- "camarobird." While this term is rarely used by f-body enthusiasts, this shorthand has become more common among journalists and other car enthusiasts.

FRRAX

2008-06-29T04:01:56Z

RichJ:

Short for F-body Road Race and Autocross Forums, FRRAX.com is the home of small, but tight-knit group of f-body enthusiasts who enjoy autocrossing and road racing their Camaros and Firebirds. This site features informative technical information and a friendly, welcoming atmosphere that is unusually congenial for a hard core motorsports forum. It is a must-see for any Camaro or Firebird autocross or grassroots road racing enthusiast.

http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/style_images/1/logo4.gif

[http://www.frrax.com/rrforum/ FRRAX.com]

FRRAX

2008-06-29T04:01:32Z

RichJ:

FRRAX

2008-06-29T04:00:49Z

RichJ:

Sunoco Camaro

2008-06-29T03:50:34Z

RichJ:

Undoubtedly, one of the most famous Camaros of all time, at least in racing circles, is the 1967 Sunoco Camaro race car built by Roger Penske and driven by hot shoe Mark Donohue. In 1967, this duo turned the road racing community upside down with unheard of performance and dominance in the racing series that they entered, including SCCA Professional Racing and the TransAm racing series. This Camaro benefited not only from Penske's car building prowess, but also from GM factory support. Even today, enthusiasts continue to emulate the appearance of this famous race car with their customized street cars. Undoubtedly, it is only a matter of time before we see a 2010 Camaro sporting the famous yellow on blue paint scheme!

http://www.prismacars.com/images/camaro.jpg

Pro Touring

2008-06-29T03:42:00Z

RichJ:

Pro Touring is a particular style of customizing older classic muscle cars by using modern day performance technology. It gained popularity in the late 1990s largely through certain specific cars featured in major automotive publications such as Hot Rod Magazine. The first generation Camaro has been a favorite platform for Pro Touring modifications and perhaps no one car builder has better exemplified the Pro Touring movement with the Camaro than Mark Stielow. His first generation Camaro builds are legendary in their thoroughness, attention to detail, and real world performance. While many Pro Touring cars live their lives as show cars, the Stielow creations have been raced and have even participated in Car and Driver's One Lap of America road racing event/series.

http://www.pro-touring.com/featured_cars/Camaro/mark_stielow/The_Mule/stielow_69_front_on_stands.jpg

[http://www.pro-touring.com/featured_cars/Camaro/mark_stielow/Mark_Stielow_Cars.htm Pro Touring Camaros]

LT1 Throttle Body Air Foil

2008-06-29T03:24:40Z

RichJ:

Among popular aftermarket performance modifications for the TPI engines used in the third generation Camaro as well as the LT1 engine used in the 1993-1997 Camaro and Firebird, perhaps none has been as controversial as the infamous throttle body air foil. This piece, originally pioneered by TPIS (Tuned Port Injection Specialties), seeks to increase torque and horsepower by smoothing airflow into the dual entrance ports of the OEM throttle body. While this modification is/was very simple to install and relatively inexpensive (under $100), many owners felt (and continue to feel) that the performance gain is neglible to non-existent, while other owners continue to believe in the modification and feel that it is worth the comparatively small expense, even if power gains are minimal.

Today, this modification continues to be sold by multiple companies.

Without air foil:

http://www.wolfeden.org/firehawk/images/airfoil-before.jpg

With air foil installed:

http://www.wolfeden.org/firehawk/images/airfoil-after.jpg

"Salad Spinners"

2008-06-29T03:13:04Z

RichJ:

When the fourth-generation Camaro debuted in 1993, it featured a newly designed, unique wheel design that GM continued to use until 1996, when it was retired in favor of a new simpler design. Over time, the 1993-1996 OEM 16" Camaro wheel became affectionately known on the internet as the "salad spinner" because of its directional design and resemblance to a salad spinner (i.e., a device used to remove water from wet lettuce). Of note, while the wheel design appears to be directional, only one direction was manufactured by GM for both sides of the car. Today, this design is among the least desirable of the used Camaro wheels, and therefore is inexpensive and popular for motorsports enthusiasts seeking wheels for mounting race tires, where aesthetics are generaly emphasized less than sheer value and performance.

http://www.f-bodyhideout.com/forums/classifieds/data/8/wheel.jpg

Callaway C8 Camaro

2008-06-29T02:56:49Z

RichJ:

In 1994, just one year following the release of the fourth generation Camaro, Callaway Cars released a potent tuner version of the then new Camaro. Callaway, then known for its modifications to Chevrolet Corvettes, infused the 1994 Camaro with a "Supernatural" form of the LT1 engine, which achieved 404 HP mostly through increased displacement (courtesy of stroking the motor to 383 cubic inches, from a stock 350) and a more aggressive camshaft and cylinder head modifications. The looks of this car matched its vastly increased performance, with a customized body kit that transformed the lines of the Camaro into a true supercar. This car was featured in Motor Trend magazine, among others, where it was met by wide acclaim, both because of its tremendous "supernatural" performance, as well as its Callaway good looks.

http://machinedesign.com/Content/Site305/Articles/05_23_2002/501499390300jpg_00000049082.jpg

[http://www.supercars.net/cars/368.html Callaway C8 Camaro on supercars.net]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14-MJkr4YLE Callaway C8 Camaro burn-out! (YouTube)]

Smokey and the Bandit (1977)

2008-06-29T02:41:53Z

RichJ:

Smokey and the Bandit, a 1977 feature film, is a favorite of Camaro and Firebird fans as it features the outlandish 1977 Pontiac Trans Am (i.e., the "Bandit") throughout, along with larger than life characters played by Burt Reynolds and Sally Field. This film featured a black Trans Am with a "screaming chicken" on the hood in a cross-country romp, complete with high speed car chase scenes throughout and a jump over a river!

Without a doubt, this feature film featured the f-body more prominently than almost any other feature film to date.

http://www.smokeyandthebandit.co.uk/images/78ta.jpg

[http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0076729/ Smokey and the Bandit on imbd.com]

KITT

2008-06-29T02:32:54Z

RichJ:

In the early 1980s, shortly after the release of the third generation f-body, a new national network TV show hit the air waves featuring a highly advanced car packed with the latest computer technology, materials, and artificial intelligence wizardry -- Knight Rider. This car took the form of a black third generation Firebird and was named KITT, which was short for Knight Industries Two Thousand. The car, driven by Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff), spent its career fighting organized crime and other menaces to society. It was able to achieve incredible feats through the ability to think, talk, and drive independently of (and sometimes without) its driver. In addition to bulletproof body panels, it featured an oft show "Turbo Boost" button that would literally launch the car airborne on command and an electronic eye in the form of an oscillating LED display in its hood.

While this show completed its cycle and was retired from the airwaves after a moderately long run, it returned to the airwaves as a new pilot in 2008 featuring a Mustang and a new driver. The show is set to return in September 2008. While some f-body fans likely would have enjoyed a resurrection of the show with the fifth generation 2010 Camaro, most are appreciative of the return of this classic to the air even with the updated vehicle choice.

http://zedomax.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/kitt4_m_m.jpg

[http://www.nbc.com/Knight_Rider/ Knight Rider on NBC.com]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbJDP0kzhtg A Tribute to KITT (YouTube)]

KITT

2008-06-29T02:30:10Z

RichJ:

In the early 1980s, shortly after the release of the third generation f-body, a new national network TV show hit the air waves featuring a highly advanced car packed with the latest computer technology, materials, and artificial intelligence wizardry -- Knight Rider. This car took the form of a black third generation Firebird and was named KITT, which was short for Knight Industries Two Thousand. The car, driven by Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff), spent its career fighting organized crime and other menaces to society. It was able to achieve incredible feats through the ability to think, talk, and drive independently of (and sometimes without) its driver. In addition to bulletproof body panels, it featured an oft show "Turbo Boost" button that would literally launch the car airborne on command and an electronic eye in the form of an oscillating LED display in its hood.

While this show completed its cycle and was retired from the airwaves after a moderately long run, it returned to the airwaves as a new pilot in 2008 featuring a Mustang and a new driver. The show is set to return in September 2008.

http://zedomax.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/kitt4_m_m.jpg

[http://www.nbc.com/Knight_Rider/ Knight Rider on NBC.com]

[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbJDP0kzhtg A Tribute to KITT (YouTube)]

KITT

2008-06-29T02:29:51Z

RichJ:

In the early 1980s, shortly after the release of the third generation f-body, a new national network TV show hit the air waves featuring a highly advanced car packed with the latest computer technology, materials, and artificial intelligence wizardry -- Knight Rider. This car took the form of a black third generation Firebird and was named KITT, which was short for Knight Industries Two Thousand. The car, driven by Michael Knight (played by David Hasselhoff), spent its career fighting organized crime and other menaces to society. It was able to achieve incredible feats through the ability to think, talk, and drive independently of (and sometimes without) its driver. In addition to bulletproof body panels, it featured an oft show "Turbo Boost" button that would literally launch the car airborne on command and an electronic eye in the form of an oscillating LED display in its hood.

While this show completed its cycle and was retired from the airwaves after a moderately long run, it returned to the airwaves as a new pilot in 2008 featuring a Mustang and a new driver. The show is set to return in September 2008.

http://zedomax.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2007/04/kitt4_m_m.jpg

[http://www.nbc.com/Knight_Rider/ Knight Rider on NBC.com]
[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LbJDP0kzhtg A Tribute to KITT (YouTube)]

Autocross

2008-06-29T02:18:22Z

RichJ:

Autocross is a very popular and accessible motorsport that has grown in popularity tremendously in recent years. Its format generally consists of events in which relatively low speed courses (65 mph max speed usually) are set up in large paved areas, such as airports and stadium parking lots, using ordinary rubber traffic cones. Competition among cars is based upon elapsed times for completing runs. Penalties are assessed when competitors either fail to navigate the course correctly or strike a rubber cone hard enough to displace its original location.

The grassroots popularity of autocross is rooted in the fact that it is accessible and safe. Courses are designed so that the risk of collisions is minimal and participants can safely use their everyday street cars without concern of damage.

While the f-body is sometimes regarded as too large and heavy for autocross, it has actually proven itself to be quite capable in the hands of expert drivers. In particular, drivers such as Sam Strano have frequently devastated competitors in smaller, lighter cars by leveraging the f-body's exceptional torque and ability to fit very wide tires.

While in recent years the Camaro has become slightly less competitive in "stock" classes against the Shelby Mustang GT, it continues to be extremely popular in classes such as the SCCA's E Street Prepared and C Prepared autocross classes.

Enthusiasts anxiously await the fifth generation Camaro to find out the potential of this new car for autocross.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i310/Tobynine9/TAMSCC%20AutoX%20Nov06/n8503686_30724176_8963x.jpg

[http://www.scca.com Sports Car Club of America]

[http://www.autocross.us autocross.us]

Autocross

2008-06-29T02:18:11Z

RichJ:

Autocross

2008-06-29T02:17:59Z

RichJ:

Autocross is a very popular and accessible motorsport that has grown in popularity tremendously in recent years. Its format generally consists of events in which relatively low speed courses (65 mph max speed usually) are set up in large paved areas, such as airports and stadium parking lots, using ordinary rubber traffic cones. Competition among cars is based upon elapsed times for completing runs. Penalties are assessed when competitors either fail to navigate the course correctly or strike a rubber cone hard enough to displace its original location.

The grassroots popularity of autocross is rooted in the fact that it is accessible and safe. Courses are designed so that the risk of collisions is minimal and participants can safely use their everyday street cars without concern of damage.

While the f-body is sometimes regarded as too large and heavy for autocross, it has actually proven itself to be quite capable in the hands of expert drivers. In particular, drivers such as Sam Strano have frequently devastated competitors in smaller, lighter cars by leveraging the f-body's exceptional torque and ability to fit very wide tires.

While in recent years the Camaro has become slightly less competitive in "stock" classes against the Shelby Mustang GT, it continues to be extremely popular in classes such as the SCCA's E Street Prepared and C Prepared autocross classes.

Enthusiasts anxiously await the fifth generation Camaro to find out the potential of this new car for autocross.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i310/Tobynine9/TAMSCC%20AutoX%20Nov06/n8503686_30724176_8963x.jpg
[http://www.scca.com Sports Car Club of America]
[http://www.autocross.us autocross.us]

Autocross

2008-06-29T02:11:19Z

RichJ:

Autocross is a very popular and accessible motorsport that has grown in popularity tremendously in recent years. Its format generally consists of events in which relatively low speed courses (65 mph max speed usually) are set up in large paved areas, such as airports and stadium parking lots, using ordinary rubber traffic cones. Competition among cars is based upon elapsed times for completing runs. Penalties are assessed when competitors either fail to navigate the course correctly or strike a rubber cone hard enough to displace its original location.

The grassroots popularity of autocross is rooted in the fact that it is accessible and safe. Courses are designed so that the risk of collisions is minimal and participants can safely use their everyday street cars without concern of damage.

While the f-body is sometimes regarded as too large and heavy for autocross, it has actually proven itself to be quite capable in the hands of expert drivers. In particular, drivers such as Sam Strano have frequently devastated competitors in smaller, lighter cars by leveraging the f-body's exceptional torque and ability to fit very wide tires.

While in recent years the Camaro has become slightly less competitive in "stock" classes against the Shelby Mustang GT, it continues to be extremely popular in classes such as the SCCA's E Street Prepared and C Prepared autocross classes.

Enthusiasts anxiously await the fifth generation Camaro to find out the potential of this new car for autocross.

[http://www.scca.com Sports Car Club of America]
[http://www.autocross.us autocross.us]

Autocross

2008-06-29T02:01:02Z

RichJ: