Firebird Formula VS Z28 SS (2002's)

Which is better? I cant really tell the difference. Both have similar if not identical HP. Any help would be appreciated.

As I said before, the SS/WS6 have modifications which puts them above other F-bodies.

They have a better flowing exhaust system, ram-air and better suspension.

Stock vs stock and with equal drivers the SS/WS6 will take it. Even if barely, it will still take it.

Originally posted by Schismblade
As I said before, the SS/WS6 have modifications which puts them above other F-bodies.

They have a better flowing exhaust system, ram-air and better suspension.

Stock vs stock and with equal drivers the SS/WS6 will take it. Even if barely, it will still take it.

Road racing yes. Drag racing... the LS1's vary way too much to make a statement like that.

formula's are about 300 pounds lighter then the ss/ trans am/ws6's

I agree with Eric. The WS6 and SS are more appearance upgrades then performance. It's very possible a 2002 Z28 could beat a 2002 WS6 or SS if the Z28 is on the strong side (factory freak). Your not gaining anything worth mentioning HP wise from the ram air (especially the SS) so the only real HP gains from WS6 and SS are from the exhaust. Most LS1 owners upgrade the exhaust and get an aftermarket lid anyway which makes up the HP difference you might find in a SS/WS6 and then some.

I would certainly not pass a good deal on a Z28, Formula or regular TA. They are just about as fast and with a few cheap mods they are even faster. Most people who get the WS6 or SS do it for looks and pestige which is cool. But if all you want is say the cool WS6 look then you can always find a great deal on a Formula or TA and add the WS6 aftermarket hood for less then a grand.

They are nice if you can find and afford one but they won't be blowing other LS1 owners off the line stock for stock.

SS has
-hood
-spoiler
-suspension similar to 1LE
-better flowing exhaust
-17 inch by 9.5 inch wheels (Z rated tires)
-optional SLP stuff

WS6 is similar but not made by SLP.

Originally posted by red91tsiawd
formula's are about 300 pounds lighter then the ss/ trans am/ws6's
Having owned a Formula, I can say with certainty that this is not true. Without a spare tire or driver and running on empty, my Formula weighed 3385.

The T/As are heavier than the SS's. The difference between a Formula and an SS is under 100 lbs. The difference between a Formula and a T/A is just over 100 lbs.

Originally posted by 99blackSS
SS has
-hood
-spoiler
-suspension similar to 1LE
-better flowing exhaust
-17 inch by 9.5 inch wheels (Z rated tires)
-optional SLP stuff

WS6 is similar but not made by SLP.

For your 99, there were suspension upgrades, but, correct me if I'm wrong, for 2002 the only suspension upgrade the SS had over the Z28 was the front 32mm anti sway bar.

Originally posted by ArrestMeRedZ
For your 99, there were suspension upgrades, but, correct me if I'm wrong, for 2002 the only suspension upgrade the SS had over the Z28 was the front 32mm anti sway bar. All SSs had suspension upgrades.
All you would ever want to know about the 2002 SS (most of which also applies to 98-01) (http://members.tripod.com/~Camaro33/new_2002_camaro_ss.htm)

Originally posted by red91tsiawd
formula's are about 300 pounds lighter then the ss/ trans am/ws6's

Better check your facts. I have a 2000 Formula A4 that weighs 3400 with 1/4 tank of gas and the wife has a 98 SS M6 that weighs 3380 with a 1/4 tank of gas on the same scale.
A fully loaded up TA Ws6 might be 80 lbs heavier.

Originally posted by 99blackSS
All SSs had suspension upgrades.
All you would ever want to know about the 2002 SS (most of which also applies to 98-01) (http://members.tripod.com/~Camaro33/new_2002_camaro_ss.htm)

Checked that link, but it doesn't tell me what the suspension improvements on a standard SS are, only about the optional packages. From what I understand, the only difference is the front sway bar. I've heard the springs, rear sway bar, LCAs, etc. (not sure about the shocks) are the same. The "Special ride and suspension package" statement is marketing hype that didn't change from when there were real suspension differences.

If you have real information, I am interested.:D

Another member was telling me the Bilsteins were standard on the 98 SSs

Z28 adds/changes
front springs: 292 lb/in (49 N/mm)
front sway bar: 30mm (tube)
rear springs: 114 lb/in (20 N/mm)
rear sway bar: 15mm
Z28 adds/changes:
16x8 cast aluminum painted wheels
P235/55R-16 touring tires

SS adds/changes:
17x9 cast aluminum painted wheels
275/40ZR-17 Goodyear F1 tires
front shocks: deCarbon 46mm
front springs: 360 lb/in (63 N/mm)
front sway bar: 32mm (tube)
rear shocks: deCarbon 36mm
rear springs: 130-180 lb/in (23-32 N/mm)
rear sway bar: 19mm

SLP Y2Y Bilstein option (not available on the SS convertible) adds/changes:
front shocks: Bilstein B46-2071 46mm (with special SLP valving)
front springs: Eibach 300-450 lb/in (53-79 N/mm)
rear shocks: Bilstein B46-1914 46mm
rear springs: Eibach 115-185 lb/in (20-32 N/mm)
stiffer rear lower control arm bushings

Originally posted by ArrestMeRedZ
If you have real information, I am interested.:D
Good enough?:D

Originally posted by darrens99formul
I agree with Eric. The WS6 and SS are more appearance upgrades then performance. It's very possible a 2002 Z28 could beat a 2002 WS6 or SS if the Z28 is on the strong side (factory freak). Your not gaining anything worth mentioning HP wise from the ram air (especially the SS) so the only real HP gains from WS6 and SS are from the exhaust. Most LS1 owners upgrade the exhaust and get an aftermarket lid anyway which makes up the HP difference you might find in a SS/WS6 and then some.

I would certainly not pass a good deal on a Z28, Formula or regular TA. They are just about as fast and with a few cheap mods they are even faster. Most people who get the WS6 or SS do it for looks and pestige which is cool. But if all you want is say the cool WS6 look then you can always find a great deal on a Formula or TA and add the WS6 aftermarket hood for less then a grand.

They are nice if you can find and afford one but they won't be blowing other LS1 owners off the line stock for stock.


the ss hood scoop does work as a cold air intake and works even better at high speeds. I know i can hear my scoop and it gets louder as speeds increase. I Have heard of many z28's adding the scoop and getting better 1/4 mile times than before

Quote

the ss hood scoop does work as a cold air intake and works even better at high speeds. I know i can hear my scoop and it gets louder as speeds increase. I Have heard of many z28's adding the scoop and getting better 1/4 mile times than before

Unquote

I have heard the opposite from several SS owners. Just about every comment I have read on the SS ram air referred to it being the most disfunctional ram air idea in the history of ram air. I have also read that some SS owners have run thier cars at the track with the hood scoop taped up for a few runs to compare to thier normal runs. The test was to see how much gain the ram air gave them and the results I read was they gained no MPH or ET.

If you found any gains from your factory ss ram air then I think that's great. It was supposed to be a benifit to performance but I don't see many people praise the SS LS1 ram air and I notice a lot of SS guys end up getting an FTRA or SSRA. I don't think I read any threads that indicated the SS ram air didn't work at all but most indicated it works so poorly that a noticeable gain could be seen from switching to an aftermarket RA kit.

I figure the upgraded exhaust maybe worth .01 in the 1/4 mile. Maybe the ram air is worth another .01 in the 1/4 mile. So lets say an SS gets a 13.2 vs a Z28 of the same years 13.4. That's pretty close and a factory freak on the z28 side could even that out. A factory dog on the Z28 side could widen the gap however. I would still rather have an SS or WS6. I think the suspension upgrades are cool and I can't deny they both look sharp. I just wouldn't expect them to blow the lesser expensive models away on the 1/4 mile track.

Originally posted by 99blackSS

Z28 adds/changes
P235/55R-16 touring tires

The Z28 comes with P245/50ZR16s.

Originally posted by codyman16
the ss hood scoop does work as a cold air intake and works even better at high speeds. I know i can hear my scoop and it gets louder as speeds increase. I Have heard of many z28's adding the scoop and getting better 1/4 mile times than before

i never heard of that... ever.. and i am on alot.. i hear the opposite as most SS owners go to lids and CAI

Originally posted by psychocabbage
i never heard of that... ever.. and i am on alot.. i hear the opposite as most SS owners go to lids and CAI

oh, i guess if you never heard it it can't be true
btw adding cai and lids are a good idea too, the more air the better, they all work well with each other

I have a Suncoast Creations SS hood on my Z28. It is about 10 pounds lighter than the factory hood, but there is no performance from the scoop. I ended up getting a FTRA and selling the SS airbox stuff. They look great, but I wouldn't get too hung up on the performance value.

Isn't this topic allready going?

#1- A standard Z28 came with T rated Eagle GA tires
#2- It is very obvious the SS hood works
#3- I would rather pay the extra $ and have a SS than a Z28
#4- The SS and Formula weigh within 30lbs of each other
#5- The WS6 is not the same as a SS the Firehawk is

Put your hand by the hood scoop and have someone rev it up.

Originally posted by 99blackSS


Good enough?:D

I am if that applies to the 2002 model year. I know your 1999 has the better springs, etc., but it is the later models I'm interested in.

If you tell me those specs are for 2002, I'll believe you.:D

The 2002 Z28 has the same springs as the standard SS suspension.

Originally posted by 99blackSS
Another member was telling me the Bilsteins were standard on the 98 SSs

Z28 adds/changes
front springs: 292 lb/in (49 N/mm)
front sway bar: 30mm (tube)
rear springs: 114 lb/in (20 N/mm)
rear sway bar: 15mm
Z28 adds/changes:
16x8 cast aluminum painted wheels
P235/55R-16 touring tires

SS adds/changes:
17x9 cast aluminum painted wheels
275/40ZR-17 Goodyear F1 tires
front shocks: deCarbon 46mm
front springs: 360 lb/in (63 N/mm)
front sway bar: 32mm (tube)
rear shocks: deCarbon 36mm
rear springs: 130-180 lb/in (23-32 N/mm)
rear sway bar: 19mm

SLP Y2Y Bilstein option (not available on the SS convertible) adds/changes:
front shocks: Bilstein B46-2071 46mm (with special SLP valving)
front springs: Eibach 300-450 lb/in (53-79 N/mm)
rear shocks: Bilstein B46-1914 46mm
rear springs: Eibach 115-185 lb/in (20-32 N/mm)
stiffer rear lower control arm bushings


Good enough?:D

I dont know where you are getting your information from, but I would check it If I were you. I have a standard Z28, and my rear sway bar is most certainly NOT 15mm. it is, in fact 19mm.

Originally posted by Freak
I dont know where you are getting your information from, but I would check it If I were you. I have a standard Z28, and my rear sway bar is most certainly NOT 15mm. it is, in fact 19mm. That is possible, there might have been some minor changes made over the years or a error in the web page.