My 2001 Z28 raced my buddies 2002 SS. He has a Loudmouth and Lid w/KN filter. This was before I had the ram air on my car and b4 the MAF. I beat him by over 2 car lengths 3 times. We are both A4s. Im starting to think that the extra $3500 for the SS is not worth the increase in HP. Now the best way to find out is if two cars were to race stock, but I want to know, everyone who has experienced a Z28 vs SS race, let me know how it went.

 

You have to understand that an SS isn't simply a $3500 more expensive Z28. SS are highly limited production cars. You have to also take into account suspension differences (not too much but still there). Hood and rear spoiler. Rims. And the slight hrosepower difference (from low restricition exhaust). Also on the racing point you made. Although i just my SS yesterday im pretty sure that stock on stock my SS will take any Z28.

 

I know that all that other stuff comes with an SS that a Z doesnt have, what i was asking is Are you paying 3500 for a slower car, even though the extra money does have other advantages.

 

It's a driver's race. The two cars are pretty equally matched. Let's not forget that both 02 Z28s and SSs have seen high 12's bone stock. As for two car lengths, that seems a bit much. The only thing I could think of is that your friend can't launch. Why don't you two switch cars and try it again. That way if you beat him you can rag on him on how much he sucks at driving

 

How many miles did your buddy's SS have on it? It's possible that it was not broken in quite like yours.
No, definately not worth the "extra" horsepower, cuz it's doubtful that there is any more...but as 2001 LS1 SS said, there are other mods that go into making that $3500.
umm, in a word...that statement is, WRONG. To say you would take ANY stock Z28; some LS1's will run a bit stronger than others, and the LS1 in the SS is in no way superior.

 

his SS has about 6K miles on it. As far as trading cars I could never imagine myself trying to beat my own car no matter what kinda car I switched too.

 

Okay, give his car a little more break-in time, and rum 'em again. It may end up with the same result, but just an idea.

 

well my 01 only has 9k on the odometer. So I dont think the 3k miles on it makes a real difference. No one has anwered the original ?. Has anyone raced Z28 vs SS and what was the result?

 

Oh alright, I didn't realize your miles were so low. I have an SS, but haven't raced any Z28's

 

Stock for stock(meaning BONE stock), SS's are NOT any faster than Z28's in the 1/4 mile. The difference simply comes down to the better driver, track prep, weather conditions, & the fact that some LS1 motors are apparently just stronger than others. I've seen SS's dyno a little more than Z28's and vice versa. Same with 1/4 mile ET's & MPH. Too many factors to account for. If anyone actually thinks their buying the SS for superior power over the Z28, well then their gonna be in for a BIG suprise.

The SS is a # & symbol IMHO.

Mike

2002 M6 Z28

 

I wasn't saying that your buying it for superior power. I was simply stating that when u purchase an SS they calim more hp (whether it be from exhuast). I have never dynoed my car nor have i raced an LS1 Z28. The superior power (whether there actually is or not), is only a small small piece of why an SS costs more than Z28. The SS is a timeless moniker at least with the Camaro.

 

It all comes down to the driver. I raced a 2002 A4 Z28 who had about my mods plus a MAF. The first night we raced I beat him by about a half a car because I got a horrible launch. We raced about a month later with niether one of us having changed anything. I nailed my launch and powershifted through the gears and put about a car and a half on him and was still pulling. Between a Z and an SS, stock for stock, its all driver.

-John

 

The SS comes with an SLP cat-back exhaust and a mildly functional Ram-Air. This difference is good for a couple of extra HP over a Z28, provided the engines are the same.

In theory, an SS is more powerful than a Z28.

In real-life, differences in engine output can sometimes tip the scales in favor of the Z28.

If a Z28 beats an SS, it is because of a difference in engine outputs or driver skill because the external advantage (ie. non-engine factors) goes to the SS.

 

Couple of points ... it's really hard to call the SS a highly limited production car. Since more SSs' were produced than Z28s the last two years. In reality the Z28 is the rarer production model of the Camaro, particularly in some of the multi stage colors that weren't available on the SS ... the SS is simply numbered.

You can double check, but I'm pretty sure that in the last two years that SS and Z28 suspensions have been essentially identical. But for your $3500 you do get the right to purchase the upgrade to the Bilstien or Koni suspension package.

Other than that, every thing else tracks. And stock for stock with everything else being equal, yeah the SS might have slight edge.

 

I love how all the SS owners chime in with their "if" and "but" statements. My buddy has an 02 SS with 4k, and I had 5k at the time, so don't give me anything about give him more breakin time. He has true dual side pipes and the SLP lid. I at the time had a loudmouth and lid. We both had a passenger, mine being less since it was my gf and he had a buddy in his. We race twice. One from a dead stop, tied through first and when 2nd hit i started to pull away and let off mid through 3rd with a car to a car and a half win. Another was from a 30 roll. He had the countdown and we nailed it, just railed him from the start and it was over up to 70. So basically yes he did pay the 3500 for a slower car IMO.

Mark