LS1 Based Engine Tech LS1 / LS6 / LS2 / LS3 / LS7 Engine Tech

HP Difference between Camaro z28 and SS?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 02-27-2004, 12:15 PM
  #1  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Bud794's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: oklahoma city, ok
Posts: 12
HP Difference between Camaro z28 and SS?

This is kind of a newbie question to ask, but I figure I'll just go ahead and ask it on this board.

What is the difference between a Camaro Z-28 and SS? What does the SS have that gives it an extra 15 horsepower over the Z-28? Is it because the engine is tuned or what? I have heard that the SS exhaust is also responsible for the extra horsepower...

Last edited by Bud794; 02-27-2004 at 12:21 PM.
Bud794 is offline  
Old 02-27-2004, 12:43 PM
  #2  
Registered User
 
Geeterman's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2000
Location: Burbs, Chicago
Posts: 156
They have the same exact engine. The HP difference comes from the ram air, which most people believe doesn't do anything, and the better flowing exhaust. If you dyno a z28 and an SS they should put up almost exact numbers.
Geeterman is offline  
Old 02-27-2004, 01:03 PM
  #3  
Registered User
 
camaronewbiess's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2003
Location: DeLand, FL
Posts: 129
the ss badges on the side and rear weigh less than the z28 ones
camaronewbiess is offline  
Old 02-27-2004, 01:08 PM
  #4  
Registered User
 
LS1-Maniac's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Lexington, KY
Posts: 147
Originally posted by camaronewbiess
the ss badges on the side and rear weigh less than the z28 ones
LOL!
LS1-Maniac is offline  
Old 02-27-2004, 01:46 PM
  #5  
Registered User
 
psychocabbage's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Houston, Tx USA
Posts: 1,903
Originally posted by camaronewbiess
the ss badges on the side and rear weigh less than the z28 ones
I will dispute that! the adheasive on the Z is lighter so coupled with its over all smaller statue ( the SS is taller) I suggest that the Z28 badges are in fact lighter and more aerodynamic!


The two cars are very much the same..
I for one didnt like the hood or spoiler so I naturally went with the Z28.. factory stripped.. so thats kewl.. Only option is my T-tops and Hurst..
psychocabbage is offline  
Old 02-27-2004, 02:51 PM
  #6  
Registered User
 
99blackSS's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2002
Location: Bay Area, CA
Posts: 1,719
Re: HP Difference between Camaro z28 and SS?

Originally posted by Bud794
What is the difference between a Camaro Z-28 and SS?
Hood, spoiler, wheels, and exhaust are standard on all LS1 SSs.
Originally posted by chuck
'96-'99 + early '00 the SS had 1LE springs, and several of the 1LE suspension parts, but not the Koni shocks.
'00-'02 - Base SS have the same suspension as a base Z28 with the exception of the 1LE 32mm front sway bar. Cars that had the Bilstein or 1LE option are obviously an exception.
Additional options I know of: SS key fobs and dash plaque, SS car cover, SS floor mats, bilstein or 1LE suspension, SS grill, upgraded exhaust, synthetic fluids, and Auburn high torque performance differential.

Yes, the hp difference is from the exhaust, the ones rated at 345hp (and 335?) also came with a SLP lid.
99blackSS is offline  
Old 02-27-2004, 04:37 PM
  #7  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Bud794's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: oklahoma city, ok
Posts: 12
When I test drove a 2002 Z28 and 2002 SS convertible, it also felt like the SS had better acceleration...

It might have been that the Z28 had stock 2.73 gear while the SS had higher gear.

I was also told by the car salesman that the SS had better steering and handling, and that the SS has godly rear traction.

The car salesman were wanting to sell the 2002 Z28 (with 24k miles, Ttops, leather, etc) for 18k while the SS conv was around 21-22K (20k miles). Are those good prices?
Bud794 is offline  
Old 02-27-2004, 05:19 PM
  #8  
Registered User
 
chuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 1998
Posts: 901
#1. Never believe, much less quote, a car sales person.

#2. The SS, Z28, and Firehawk are so close in power output that one cannot definitely say that one makes more power than the other. Now for those thinking either that I am implying they were ripped off or dumb for buying an upscale model, or thinking that they are dumb, please realize that the upgrade package cost seems to stay consistant for many years, meaning that a used Z28 will usually be 2500-3000 cheaper than the same year SS, and that is what the package cost up front. Zero depreciation is a good thing, even if it is only on part of the car.

I chose a base T/A because I prefer the more simple lines, and because Iwas going to replace everything the package added besides the hood.
chuck is offline  
Old 02-27-2004, 06:46 PM
  #9  
Registered User
 
Buffdaddy's Avatar
 
Join Date: Aug 2003
Location: West Lafayette
Posts: 595
The SS has the 17" wheels and overall it has a better look.
Buffdaddy is offline  
Old 02-27-2004, 10:29 PM
  #10  
Registered User
 
Greed4Speed's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: FTW, TX
Posts: 4,508
Do a search. There is a thread like this about every month.
Greed4Speed is offline  
Old 02-28-2004, 01:30 AM
  #11  
Registered User
 
Klypto's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2002
Location: New Orleans, LA
Posts: 1,419
with SSs you dont need to waste money on buying new rims b/c they are 17x9 stock... (well my z28 anyway is 16x8) or 7 not sure, think 8
Klypto is offline  
Old 02-28-2004, 07:49 AM
  #12  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Bud794's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: oklahoma city, ok
Posts: 12
Talking

Uh oh, forum robo-cop Greed4Speed chimes in with his opinion. Will I get a ticket for this one?

Sorry Greed4Speed for offending your silly little forum netiquette. I am a camaro newbie and I tried but the forum search kept saying the word "SS" didn't exceed the minimum word length which is supposed to be over 3 words.

I suppose I should have tried harder, but I was in a hurry and needed to get to a college class. I have made it clear that the Thread was over the hp differences, hence the title (obvious, isn't it?). If you don't want to add anything constructive, don't reply to it. Let me enlighten you on the word "forum".

Main Entry: fo·rum
b : a public meeting place for open discussion c : a medium (as a newspaper) of open discussion or expression of ideas

For everyone else, I apologize for my little rant here. Thank you for enlightening me with some of your opinions, especially camaronewbiess . I appreciate them and that's why I posted on the board, because you guys would know more about camaros than anybody else...
Bud794 is offline  
Old 02-28-2004, 08:09 AM
  #13  
Moderator
 
AL SS590 M6's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1998
Location: Charlotte,MI USA
Posts: 6,249
Originally posted by Bud794
Uh oh, forum robo-cop Greed4Speed chimes in with his opinion. Will I get a ticket for this one?

Sorry Greed4Speed for offending your silly little forum netiquette. I am a camaro newbie and I tried but the forum search kept saying the word "SS" didn't exceed the minimum word length which is supposed to be over 3 words.

I suppose I should have tried harder, but I was in a hurry and needed to get to a college class. I have made it clear that the Thread was over the hp differences, hence the title (obvious, isn't it?). If you don't want to add anything constructive, don't reply to it. Let me enlighten you on the word "forum".

Main Entry: fo·rum
b : a public meeting place for open discussion c : a medium (as a newspaper) of open discussion or expression of ideas

For everyone else, I apologize for my little rant here. Thank you for enlightening me with some of your opinions, especially camaronewbiess . I appreciate them and that's why I posted on the board, because you guys would know more about camaros than anybody else...
If you want to post and enjoy this board then I would suggest that you lose the attitude. He has the right to suggest that you search the forum. As you said free speach and open forum.....
Don't be a "dick" and you'll get more help.
Welcome to the board.
AL SS590 M6 is offline  
Old 02-28-2004, 08:19 AM
  #14  
Registered User
Thread Starter
 
Bud794's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: oklahoma city, ok
Posts: 12
Ok, I apologize then.

Feel free to delete this thread if you wish. I was just trying to get some information to help me decide whether to get a Z28 or SS. I'm sorry if I repeated what was probably already have been asked a million times before.
Bud794 is offline  
Old 02-28-2004, 08:21 AM
  #15  
Registered User
 
CrippleFightin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Plainfield IL
Posts: 923




Most differences are appereance rather than performance, except a few minor things.
CrippleFightin is offline  


Quick Reply: HP Difference between Camaro z28 and SS?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:11 AM.