Question on 1970-71 Z/28s

[442w30]

I stumbled upon a post in another forum and it was a "new one" for me.

Guy was claiming this:

1970, and I believe '71, Z28s had the gas pedal hinge on the floor, all other trims had the gas pedal hanging from under the dash. Not something people usually change if they are going to make a Z28 clone.

If the gas pedal hinge is on the floor, it likely was an original Z28.

I know 1st-gen cars have certain codes on the data plate that can help determine whether it's a Z, but not sure about 2nd-gen Zs – I'm guessing docs are the only way (and certainly not a pedal)?

Thanks!

[GrumpyJeff]

Norwood cars actually say Z28 0n the plate, and rarely have build sheets. And the Van Nuys cars are the opposite ,No Z28 identification on the tag, but usually have at least 2 build sheets, under the seat and top of gas tank on drivers side

[MosportGreen66]

What Jeff said

And yes, floor mounted gas peddle
Also look for OEM rear sway bar/mounting appropriations

[69LM1]

And yes, both NOR and LA Z28's had the floor mounted gas pedal and the other Camaros (to include the SS's, even the L78) did not have floor mounted gas pedals.

EDIT: Mosport beat me to it :)


Z28 gas pedal:

http://my1970z28.com/COPO/images/DSC00547.JPG

All other Camaros:

http://i829.photobucket.com/albums/zz218/sandiego74/20150715_105021_RichtoneHDR_zpsatzva2fn.jpg

/Rich

[big gear head]

Wow, I had no idea.

[marxjunk]

new to me too..but cool..i learn new stuff here almost every day......

[442w30]

What's the deal with the pedal? Why?

[ronzz572]

What's the deal with the pedal? Why?

I believe it was for racing the car on the scca tracks as the z28 was designed for. heel and toe braking and acceleration.

[BCreekDave]

Just to add a bit of detail to the Norwood Trim Tag showing a Z28, the “Z” didn’t actually appear until sometime after the second week of April in 70: http://nastyz28.com/threads/trim-tag-missing-the-z.236491/page-3

My 04B car does not have it.

The gas pedal is a strange one for sure. As Ron said, it is thought to be floor mounted for the heel-toe thing, but I have yet to see an official document from GM ever saying so. Even the automatic cars had it.
There are also a few cars out there that seem to be authentic Z’s in every other way that have a hanging pedal. I’m not saying they are as I haven’t seen verified third party corroboration, but the docs seem to support them.

If it was due to racing I find it interesting that the Corvette never picked up on it.

[70 copo]

I looked at a legit low mile 70 Z28 around 1991 that left Norwood with both pedals installed - one right over the other.

[chadk]

'65-'70 Chevy fullsize cars have the gas pedal mounted on the floor just like the Z28s.
Chad

[roeville]

'65-'70 Chevy fullsize cars have the gas pedal mounted on the floor just like the Z28s.
Chad
And this is how I find good used ones. The part number is the same.

To confirm, this is a 1970 and 1971 Z28 thing.

Mike

[BCreekDave]

And this is how I find good used ones. The part number is the same.

To confirm, this is a 1970 and 1971 Z28 thing.

Mike

Yes, 70 and 71 only

[BCreekDave]

If it was a racing heel toe thing it had to come from somewhere. Did any of the Penske cars in 69 change the pedal to floor mount

[1967Z28]

No the Penske cars did not. Very doubtful it had anything to do with heel and toe driving technique.

Chevy trucks from this era also had a floor mounted gas pedal.

[BCreekDave]

Still a bit of a mystery. There had to be an internal memo or Engineering Change document somewhere in the bowels of GM noting this change. There were obvious costs and quality risks (see 70 COPO post #10) associated with this. Maybe it was a requirement from Vince Piggins or some other GM exec? As the power of the famed LT-1 dropped after 70 and "de-contenting" occurred to reduce costs it became less interesting for these niche changes to continue?

[firstgenaddict]

When checking 71 and 72 Z's and LT1 Corvettes make sure they have the original valve covers which are designed for the PUSH in Oil Fill cap... they are different than the others with TWIST in OIL FILL CAP.
Theses valve covers are near impossible to find...