Does the 96 vs 97 z28 have less HP?

 

They're rated the same.

 

Ok cool. I thought I read the 96 had 275 while the 97 had 285 or 295 depending on which website you read.

 

93-95 = 275HP
96/97 = 285HP

SS/WS6/Firehawk are higher.

 

What made the 10hp difference between the two?

 

I believe it was just the single cat vs. dual cat exhaust.

 

285 hp = dual cats
275 hp = single cat

SS/WS6 had 305 or 315 with the optional exhaust.
330 for the LT4, IIRC

 

There is a article in Nov.1996 issue of Motor Trend that refers that 93-95 lt1 had a 2.25 exhaust downpipe(y pipe)&that the change to 2.5 mandrel-bent pipe in it,s place makes the difference.That change was greatly responsible for the increase from 275 to 285 between 95&96.Btw that,s definitely a good upgrade for the 93-95 cars as i bought a Borla Y and i,m selling it b/c my Mac,s came w/ their own .

 

You splitting hairs! They got the 2.5" pipe as part of the dual Cat. installation. It's not a separate piece!!