Z/28's Aero Bowtie - Flowtie

"MooseKnuckles" (andyschenk) 03/04/2014 at 10:37 • Filed to: camaro z/20 flowtie aero

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Between the Corvette Stingray and now Camaro Z/28, it is clear Chevrolet engineers take aerodynamics seriously. So seriously in fact, that the new Z/28 sports a modified bowtie just to enhance aerodynamic factors of the car.

According to Chevrolet, while testing the Z/28 an engineer by the name of Richard Quinn realized that Chevy's iconic moniker was doing a disservice to air flow; it was displacing air away from the radiator. In a track-ready car like the Z/28, taking cool air away from the engine is never a good thing.

Quinn then proceeded to cut out the gold contents of the bowtie resting on the Z/28's grill, leaving only the silver outline. Upon reinstalling the homemade prototype on the grille, he tried out the car again.

The results were a win. Affectionally referred to as the "Flowtie" by the engineering team, the hallowed out bowtie added just enough airflow to the engine to cool it by a staggering 2 degrees during track sessions. Those 2 degrees were just enough to mandate the modified bowtie on all Z/28 Camaros.

Chevrolet asserts the Flowtie as a strong example of the engineering team's dedication to track performance. Many of the engineers on the team race on the weekends as a hobby, so these kinds of small modifications are routine for these guys. As such, there's clearly no sacred cows for this team; even the legendary Chevy bowtie.

The all-new Z/28 weighs about 300 pounds less than the ZL1 and 55 pounds lighter than the 1LE, thanks to a variety of changes throughout the car. The lighter weight Camaro is powered by GM's well-known 7.0-liter LS7 V-8 and will arrive in dealerships this spring.

http://www.gminsidenews.com/forums/f70/cam…

Bad Idea Hat > MooseKnuckles 03/04/2014 at 10:40

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I think it looks nicer, too.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > MooseKnuckles 03/04/2014 at 10:41

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it is clear Chevrolet engineers take aerodynamics seriously.

Well, sort of. Maybe. For some applications. I still remember that the Newmaro has an abysmal Cd or did - that being said, I care less about that than competence in not cooking the engine like a pot roast, which part they appear to have covered.

MooseKnuckles > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/04/2014 at 10:45

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Well they took a concept into production, is it their choice/fault? yea, but that's why aero suffers on it.

Jayhawk Jake > MooseKnuckles 03/04/2014 at 10:47

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You know what would be even better GM?

NOT HAVING A GIANT GOD DAMN BOWTIE ON EVERYTHING

Seriously, I think the bowtie on my grill is a foot across. Someone at Chevy has a tiny dick

Cynical > MooseKnuckles 03/04/2014 at 10:48

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Yeahhhhhhh. They could have just put it somewhere else so it didn't block the radiator in the first place.........

Joe_Limon > MooseKnuckles 03/04/2014 at 10:51

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Hmmmmm.... They need a giant 1ft wide flow tie, and have that funneling air into the engine... Ram air style.

Sn210 > MooseKnuckles 03/04/2014 at 11:00

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I'm telling you guys, eventually the entire front ends of Chevy cars are going to be bow ties. If this size bow tie lowers the temp 2 degrees, extrapolate that out where the bow tie is like 6 feet across with some headlights on it

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Jayhawk Jake 03/04/2014 at 11:10

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GIANT BOWTIE WOOOOOO

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Joe_Limon 03/04/2014 at 11:12

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A cold air intake - in the middle of the grill - IN THE BOWTIE

Most people would just remove headlights or something.

Jake - Has Bad Luck So You Don't Have To > MooseKnuckles 03/04/2014 at 11:24

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Looks a lot better than the gold eyesore they have on there now.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/04/2014 at 11:40

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off to go remove a few headlights from the Montego....

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > MooseKnuckles 03/04/2014 at 11:40

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Can they just do this for ALL chevy's?

Man I saw a bright green spark today that clashed so bad with the gold on the bowtie

Joe_Limon > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/04/2014 at 11:44

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I like that... Especially if it is twin turbo.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Joe_Limon 03/04/2014 at 11:48

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427 with a monstrous tune - twin turbo would be gilding the lily. Also, not stock - for a vehicle which runs low nines stock on modern tires.

CalzoneGolem > RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht 03/04/2014 at 13:15

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Now that is a flowtie!

The Compromiser > MooseKnuckles 03/04/2014 at 21:58

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I remeber reading that the Cobra emblem On the GT500 got moved to the opposite side of the grill to provide more airflow to the intake. When they want to go fast and reach the limits, they will do damn near anything.