Have you ever taken the time to flip through a Ford Racing catalog? Up to today, I sure as hell hadn't. I've loathed Mustangs for as long as I've been into cars.
I'll back up that emotional statement with somewhat objective reasoning: I've met way more jackass Mustang owners than owners of any other brand-except for ricers. Maybe it's because the Mustang's amazing production numbers ensure lots of good and bad owners, maybe it's because they are cheap, and as such, there are lots of young and reckless punks who drive 'Stangs. Maybe I just experienced a bad cross-section of the hot rod pool, who knows? And I guess because some of their owners turned me off, the cars did too.
However, I've always respected the Mustang's potential for speed versus dollars. Back in the late 1980s, enthusiasts could get into an LX 5.0 and run circles around the pricier-by-several-thousand-dollars TPI GMs. Sure, the F-bodies were built better and, in my opinion, were better looking. But of paramount importance to guys like us is reaching the stripe first, something Fox bodies did very well.
Assisting those Fox bodies was Ford Motorsport. With such choice offerings as the "B" and "E" camshafts, the GT40 intake, and quiet 4.10 gears, Mustang owners could get into some serious speed parts for very few bucks. Throw in the fact that you could buy speed parts that were factory engineered (read: high quality), and it is no wonder that the Mustang guys bought this stuff by the truckload.
Ford Motorsport is now Ford Racing, and when the 2005 Mustang came out, Racing was quick to release Power, Drag, and Handling packages to enhance the new car. These aren't complicated mods, just exhausts, intakes, handheld tuners, some sway bars, etc. that cost around $1,000 to $1,500.
This is a smart move from many angles: first, the Mustang owner is able to get factory-backed goodies for his ride, along with the peace of mind that comes with bolting up speed parts that say "Ford" on them. Second, Ford gets even more mileage out of all of the research, development, and testing hours put into creating the '05 Mustang components: Racing can glean valuable lessons from all of that testing, apply them to high-performance parts, and turn out a great product at a nice profit. Finally, this type of factory hot rodding is nothing but good news for Mustang sales, keeping the word out on the streets and the racetracks that Ford is serious about performance. Talk about effective advertising!
GM Performance Parts has been around for decades, offering an enormous catalog with tons of cool upgrades. I'll bet that a tidy profit is turned with GM's performance goodies and accessories. And that begs the question: Why wasn't GM all over the Fourth Gen F-body with performance packages and factory-backed upgrades? Could it not see Ford's wild success with Mustang parts, or did GM simply choose to ignore it? Whatever the reason, the F-bodies suffered.
The '93-02 Camaro and Firebird are history, but with the 2008 Camaro looming ever closer on the horizon, it's crucial that the new Camaro has dedicated performance and accessory packages, right from GM. There's no doubt that the new Camaro will be a performer--but it will possess the same power, handling, and appearance compromises that every factory car has. So why not offer several levels of power and handling packages from GMPP, with prices to suit any Camaro buyer? Ford Racing's intake/exhaust/tune/MAF package is a good place to start--GM can package a high-flow exhaust, an air intake, and a new calibration for an affordable price. This would be perfect for buyers of an entry-level V-8 car--an extra 20 to 30 horses, at a price that would pale in comparison to the cost of going with a more expensive, higher-powered V-8 option.
Surely some 'Maro buyers plan on doing serious drag racing: how cool would it be to buy a drag race kit straight from the General! Gears, long-tubes, chambered exhaust, shifter, even a solid-axle option and a set of slicks in the trunk! Corner carvers could pick up a spring/sway bar/shock/brake upgrade.
And for those guys who normally turn to the aftermarket when it's time to step up to some crazy power levels: supercharger and heads/cam packages. If we are blessed with a factory force-inducted Camaro, how easy would it be to package a blower pulley upgrade, injectors, and tuning? Talk about a profitable package--and can you imagine the power potential? Think '03 Cobra, my friends.
Like the '05-up Mustangs, the 2008 Camaro is a great-looking car that has captured the public's interest. With the talent and resources at GM Performance Parts and GM Performance Division, the General would be flat-out foolish not to capitalize on what will be a mad dash to modify this awesome hot rod. It pains me greatly to say this, but Ford got this one right. Will GM respond?