coast guy

I am looking at purchasing either a 2000 z28 or a 2002 Z28. Is there any difference in performance between the stock engines in these cars ? I feels like the 2002 is faster .

rwb

The 02 comes with the LS6 intake, the 00 comes with the ls1 intake. Other than that I can't think of any other changes.

coast guy

Thanks for your reply . Thats probably why the 02 seemed to have more power on a test drive. Good power for sure.

rv93

there are actually a few more differences. while the 02 had the ls6 intake (which actually adds quite a bit of power to the ls1), it has a smaller cam than the 00. The 02 will still make a bit more power, and because of the smaller cam, it doesnt need an egr system. So in short, itll make a bit more power than the 00, but definitely have more low and mid range torque. The advantage of the 00 is that you can swap in an ls6 intake manifold easier than youd swap a cam in the 02. Though if you want to go for more than 360bhp or so in the end, you need a cam thats bigger even than the one in the 00. The only other drivetrain difference i know of is that the 02 also comes with the ls6 clutch if its a manual trans. That means itll slip less.

Ultra_Z

go with the 2002! yes like everyone says... it has the LS6 intake which is about 10whp over the LS1. the cam tho in the 02 is slightly lower in lift, but nothing a set of rocker arms can't change. if it is M6, 02s and 02s only were given a LS6 clutch from the factory and LS6 block.

rv93

not all 02s got the ls6 block. just some of them. im pretty sure mine is just the standard ls1 block. and as far as i know, the big difference in the cams isnt so much lift as it is duration and overlap.

transamtom

You also get better heads with the 241's on the 02.

rv93

are you sure about the heads? i know all ls1s got the 241 castings, and i thought they were all machined the same, but im not 100% sure on that.

cars3

What gear ratio's did both of them have. If the 2000 had 2:73, and the 2002 had the opional 3:23 that's a big difference right there in why it felt faster.

DANOZ28

my 99 had cast# 853 heads. i really dont think theres a significant horsepower diff between the 00 vs 02, which car is in better shape? lower milage? been babied or tortured? does either car already have mods? just a few things to consider. good luck w decision!

JakeRobb

Here's a solid reference on the differences between the head castings:
853 vs. 241 heads - LS1TECH

Note that the 2000 Z28 in question might have the newer 241 castings anyway.

The LS1 vs LS6 block difference is completely irrelevant. It makes no power difference whatsoever, and 2002 Camaros with LS6 blocks are quite rare.

cars3 had a good question about gear ratios, but that's assuming we're talking about automatic transmission cars. If it's an automatic, check for RPO code "GU5" -- that means it has the 3.23 "Performance Axle Ratio".

If we're talking about manual transmission cars, then both have 3.42 gears, but it's also worth noting that 2001+ M6 cars have a much better clutch than the '98-00 cars.

It's also worth pointing out that the slower-feeling MY2000 car might just be in need of some TLC. The real-world differences between the two years are quite small and it's unlikely you'd notice unless the gear ratio difference applies.

DANOZ28

i would just like to add that while dynos #'s differ, in general bone stock 98-02 auto's dyno 285-300 rwhp & sticks dyno 300-315 rwhp. that doesnt mean sticks are faster. 2000 to 2002 could be 10 horse. not a big diff in the real world.

coast guy

Both cars had the M6 in them , not sure what diffs were in each . I noticed a lot of rear tire noise on both cars, or what I assumed was tire noise. BFG gforce tires on both I think. Leaning towards the 02 for sure.

coast guy

Thanks for the input from you all on this thread

DANOZ28

if you did a burnout and heard alot of rearend noise imo its probably "wheel hop" i solved that problem with LCA's & SFC's also a panhard bar but im really not sure if that helped. now all i hear is sweet burning rubber! cheers! ps its a common problem