Chevrolet Unveils More Concept Cars and Trucks for SEMA
Special Camaros, Silverados, and more take the stage
Chevy's SEMA presence is now up to about half the size of its gigantic Detroit auto show footprint. That's how big a business aftermarket parts and accessories have become for GM generally and Chevy specifically. The Chevy, AC Delco, GM Certified Service, and GM Performance Parts catalogs combined carry a million part numbers that are racking up $6 billion in revenue—that's billion with a B. Hence Chevy's jumbo SEMA display will feature some 20 vehicles and 25 crate engines. We've already covered some of what will be there—the Corvette Carbon 65 edition, the Colorado ZR2 Midnight and Dusk editions, and the Centennial Silverado and Colorado editions and the vintage C-10 built to match them—as for the rest, read on …
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Camaro ZL1 1LE
The car that laid down the 7:16.04 Nürburgring lap will be on display, along with a Camaro on its side showing off all the 1LE components that can be purchased à la carte for patient souls who prefer or need to build their 1LE one paycheck at a time. All parts fit any sixth-generation Camaro. We'd recommend starting with the bushing replacement kits, which remove most of the rubber (and hence handling compliance) out of the suspension, and the reversible upper strut mounts, whihc allow for quick, easily reversible camber changes at the track.
Camaro ZL1 Drag Development Car
Last year Chevy showed a Camaro SS upfitted with performance parts designed to showcase how an owner might optimize an SS for NHRA drag racing duty. Many of the parts developed in that exercise are now available. For this year's exercise the team is looking at what one an owner might do to a ZL1 to transform it from a handling-track star to a quarter-mile killer. Highlights again include a small brake kit to fit within 16-inch wheels that accommodate the tall sidewalls preferred for low-pressure sticky-tire launches. A smaller supercharger pulley speeds up the blower for more boost, and a larger throttle body further hastens airflow into the engine. Breathing is further enhanced by a cold air intake and performance air filter that inhales through the vacant eye socket left by removing the left headlamp. American Racing headers, revised engine and transmission-shift calibrations, and Magnetic Ride Control shocks programmed to foster more rearward weight transfer during launch round out the kit. Expect to see many of these parts on sale at this time next year.
