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What was the performance differences between the V6 vs. V8 4gen Camaro?

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Old Jun 14, 2004 | 10:01 AM
  #16  
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In optimal conditions i've seen more than one LT1 break 13's stock. My '95 was one of them, pulled a 13.9 stock, and a 13.6 with muffler, intake and cooling fan switch. Not trying to get into an argument here, but it does happen on occasion. Likewise with the LS1's doing 12's.

Mine was a 2.73 rear A4 at that.
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 10:27 AM
  #17  
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Does anyone know the 0-60 time differences between the v6 vs. v8?
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 10:42 AM
  #18  
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Originally posted by johnsocal
Does anyone know the 0-60 time differences between the v6 vs. v8?
Figure around low 5's for LS1, low 7's for 3.8L, probably low 8's for 3.4L

Chris
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 11:24 AM
  #19  
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Originally posted by Meccadeth
Hah, you must be a heavy internet reader

I always seem to read about LT1's doing high 13's or low 14s on here, but in real life always see them do mid 14s...seen a stock LT1 do a 14.18 ONCE with an M6.

But yea, like they said, average Joe is only going to get 14.5....as he'll only get 13.5 in an LS1, etc etc....

Yeah...huge internet reader. Not that Englishtown is 20 or so mins away from my house and Im there just about 2-3 times a week, no I just read on the internet.
Again...
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 12:52 PM
  #20  
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Exclamation

Originally posted by SageofKnight
Avg driver, avg conditions, common options, stock, "rule of thumb type numbers"

L32 (3.4L)=16.5
L36 (3.8L)=15.5
LT1 (5.7L)=14.5
LS1 (5.7L)=13.5

Times could possibly drop up to another second given the right driver/track and options in the car.
I run low 14 quarters and just under 6 second 60 runs, & I'm not an experienced racer. I think that 14.5 figure is a smiggen high.

My sister has a '96 3800 5 speed without power windows or seats. Save the T-top & stereo, her car's all but a stripper. The only addition is a K&N filter. I'd say her car is about as quick as my last SC which ran about 6 1/2 to 60 and the quarter just a tick under 15 (smaller pulley, 3" exhaust, & no resonator), so it's probally a low 15 car.

Where my T-bird SC started off mild and hit warp speed & hyperdrive at around 30-35 mph (then OMFG look out! ),her 3800 seems like it starts off strong & runs out of breath begining in mid-range. The '98 3800 Camaros have a higher speed governer than the 97s (118 mph vs 109). By pass that & it should easily be a 140 mph car. Only jaded Z28 & T/A owners think that's slow.

If anyone wants to buy the 3800 F-body, unless you are going to the drag strip alot, that engine is plenty quick (if you stay away from the automatic). It still will still lay down tire patches & and will take on about any ricer that isn't turbo'd or nitrous injected. Don't let the rocket-sled addicts talk you out of one. The 3800 is still a quick car.

I never drove the 3.4 V6, and what I've heard isn't good at all. Might want to avoid those like the plague.

BTW: Average GTOs run just under 14's & low 5's, and LS1 F-bods as SOK correctly stated typically run mid 13's and low 5's. F-bodies have the edge, but it's close enough to make it a drivers race.

Last edited by guionM; Jun 14, 2004 at 01:03 PM.
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 01:58 PM
  #21  
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It seems that everytime a v6 f-body question comes up people are always quick to say how bad the 3.4 engine is. Yea it has less horsepower than the 3.8 but thats pretty much where it ends. Everyone says stay away from the 3.4, well ive had mine for over a year and still no problems except an o2 sensor i had to replace. My 3.4 is also over 10 years old (and on the carfax there is no major problems with it.) I found a great deal on my car with low miles and I dont regret it at all. im just sayin there is no problem with the 3.4 except for the fact it has less power than the 3.8. So dont tell people its such a horrible engine when its not.
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 02:29 PM
  #22  
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Originally posted by guionM

If anyone wants to buy the 3800 F-body, unless you are going to the drag strip alot, that engine is plenty quick (if you stay away from the automatic). It still will still lay down tire patches & and will take on about any ricer that isn't turbo'd or nitrous injected. Don't let the rocket-sled addicts talk you out of one. The 3800 is still a quick car.
The automatics are pretty quick too, the trick is making sure it has the LSD with 3.42's vs. the open diff with the 3.08's.

Chris
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 02:44 PM
  #23  
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Originally posted by Big Als Z
Yeah...huge internet reader. Not that Englishtown is 20 or so mins away from my house and Im there just about 2-3 times a week, no I just read on the internet.
Again...
Sorry dude, don't get all upset, but thats how it is. I local track is 5 blocks away from me so I go there pretty often, ussually just to watch so I have a very good idea of real life times vrs. internet times. Kinda like how everyone online is 6'4" 240 lean lbs. with playboy model g/fs, they also have LT1s that dip into the 13's stock... Sorry but I've seen very good drivers not even come close to that with a stock LT1 Camaro, much less "average" drivers. And no, I don't live in a thin aired or high elevation environment.
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 03:10 PM
  #24  
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Originally posted by Joe K. 96 Zeee!!
95 Z28's sold in California had the dual catalytic converter setup that all the 96's had and thus should be rated at 285.

At least that's the thinking. I don't know if the window sticker on those said 275 or 285.
That's an affirmative. My California '95 Z28 was rated at 285 HP when I purchased it new.
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 03:26 PM
  #25  
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Originally posted by blckbrd84
The automatics are pretty quick too, the trick is making sure it has the LSD with 3.42's vs. the open diff with the 3.08's.

Chris
Yes. Automatic 3.8's with 3.42's and the LSD should be quicker in the 1/4 than the manuals, but will of course have a lower trap speed.
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 05:03 PM
  #26  
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Originally posted by blckbrd84
The automatics are pretty quick too, the trick is making sure it has the LSD with 3.42's vs. the open diff with the 3.08's.

Chris
That would be the Y87 package. Wish I wouldve read up more about v6 packages before I bought mine and I would've held off until I found a Y87. Much better gearing and tighter steering ratio (Z28 spec) are the highlights of the package.

I agree with the v6ers. V6's get dogged on ALOT by v8 owners. I love ALL Camaros if they are tastefully done and it doesnt seem like the majority of v8 owners see it that way. I've heard everything from "get two more cylinders" to "its not a REAL Camaro then" . I normally respond to them by asking them for the extra insurance money I'll need to pay for it. I will have a Z28 one day (actually not too far off) but right now, I have to settle for a 6 which pounds on imports and gives early SN95 GT's a scare. The 3800II is old and loud, but its bulletproof and pretty powerful for not being updated in ages (until the new GP came out).
Old Jun 14, 2004 | 06:08 PM
  #27  
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Originally posted by SFireGT98
That would be the Y87 package. Wish I wouldve read up more about v6 packages before I bought mine and I would've held off until I found a Y87. Much better gearing and tighter steering ratio (Z28 spec) are the highlights of the package.
Usually but not always. By 2000 GM was putting 3.42 gears in some V6's for free. A few like mine had the LSD as a no cost option as well.
Old Jun 15, 2004 | 12:52 AM
  #28  
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I run low 14 quarters and just under 6 second 60 runs, & I'm not an experienced racer. I think that 14.5 figure is a smiggen high.
I just wanted to give some real world type numbers, not a "this is my best time ever" number. My goal was to put down numbers you'd see at the track for a proper run in Anytown USA.

I throw out best times just like I throw out worst ones when talking about "average" times. My track is near sea level so I've seen plenty of high 13 stock LT1s, but I don't expect other parts of the country to be able to do the same. Likewise I don't use the 15s+ of someone who has a track at 5000+ft.


Anyway maybe the 5th gen V6 will have a more positive role. Heck if it's priced right w/ the 3.6L V6 engine from the CTS (or better) I might get one over a V8 just to take the role of the "underdog" and see how fast I could make it.

Last edited by SageofKnight; Jun 15, 2004 at 12:56 AM.
Old Jun 15, 2004 | 03:52 PM
  #29  
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I had a 3.8 auto camaro with open diff..

basiclly it was a muscle car w/o any muscle! its a quick motor, but nowadays 200hp is very underpowered, a maxima comes with 260!
I wish they never made a v6 camaro- a smaller V8 (like a 3rd gen 305) would have been much beter; but i do understand the reasons for their existance

anyways I got the car when i was 16, and it was DEFENATLY a good decision for an inexperienced driver
I wanted a 95/6 Z M6, and looking back, it probably would have killed me
Old Jun 16, 2004 | 09:00 AM
  #30  
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eh, speaking from experience here, 97 camaros with the 3800 and an auto CAN go a little under 120, 118 i believe. 96 must have been the year with the lower speed limiter



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