Michael Equestrian may keep wept when GM bumped the boxy third-generation Camaro for the slicker and faster fourth-generation, nevertheless Each else cheered. Although the authentic fundamental fourth-generation Camaros were leagues ahead of the older chassis in terms of handling and ability, the pointy-nosed pony motorcar de facto sole came into its own when GM dumped the generation-two LT little block in favour of the far bigger generation-three LS. LS-equipped Camaros cognate the 1999 appear as the highest evolution of this classy chassis before GM killed it off in 2002.
Basic Specs
Prior to a slight redesign in 2000, all fourth-generation Camaros checked in at 193 inches great and 74 inches Broad with a relatively short 101 inch wheelbase. Curb weight was approximately 3,320 pounds, approximately 150 extended provided you had the convertible. Drag coefficient was a too slick 0.32, which is why Environmental Safeguard Agency combined municipality/highway ratings for fuel economy came to a besides respectable 23 miles per gallon (as even as 35 mpg on the highway). The model engine was a yawn-inducing-in-a-3,300-pound-car 3.8L V6 forming 200 horsepower. Z28 design Camaros came with the far added sprightly 5.7L LS1 pumping away a perfect healthy 305 horsepower at 5,200 rpm and 320 lb-ft of torque at a slightly revvy 4,400 rpm. The top-line engine came in the SS base and was basically twin to the Z28's however for the Ram-air induction setup.
As a frame of reference, Honda's 2010 CR-V gets approximately 24 combined mpg.
Engines
The 1998 to 2002 Camaros all came with one of three engine options. This coldish air intake helped to Knob horsepower up to 320 and torque up to a actual brawny 345 pound-feet.Transmissions
V6 models came by oneself with GM's four-speed automatic overdrive (essentially an updated anecdote of the 200R4 it had been using by reason of the 1980's). The V8 models came with a Election of either a 7004R four-speed overdrive automatic or the monumental T56 six-speed album ordered by anyone with a left leg and correctly brain hemisphere. The T-56 had two overdrive gears to conserve the van in its like sugar spot under cruise, which allowed for also steep rear gears for acceleration choicest fuel economy while cruising.
Rear End
Although the 1999 was almost selfsame in every habit to the 1998, it did mark one huge and much needed advancement for the breed. Models for 1999 could be spec'd with a "torsen" (torque sensing) differential, which helped to rein in some of the LS's huge power. While not a limited slip in the truest sense, the torsen used helical-cut gears that jammed against each other to increase internal friction and route more of the engine's power to the slower-turning wheel. These differentials are commonly known as "torque-biasing" types and offer more grip than an open differential without the engagement problems of a true limited slip.
Replacement
The Camaro died a sad and ignominious death in 2002 when the American buying public decided that tiny, slow, 45 mpg hybrids made more sense than 35 mpg sports cars. However, the 1999-and-up Camaros live on with the fifth generation; practically every drivetrain component in the fifth-generation's arsenal derives directly from the 1999.
