[QUOTE=psychocabbage]

SS = Heavier Z with more options.
So if thats the case, what you are saying is the Z must be faster?

 

well, if you want to take that route...a LOADED SS vs. a LOADED z28.
the z28 has 310hp and a loaded SS with the center mounted exhaut has 345hp. also, the ss has better tires, and a ram air set up that really doesnt do much, but in theory...the ss should be faster than the z...

 

It isn't the CME that gives the power its the dual/dual thats attached to it. Even then, they're RATED at 345 but dyno much lower. Its just a catback that is a mere .25" larger than the stock factory mandrel bent pipes. Granted they also came with a lid, but they aren't even the ones that I've heard run 12's stock.

Yes, A4 SS's came standard with 3.23's, but many Z's are rolling with stock 3.23's also. So what if they were an option, the car still has them and they're still lighter than your car. All M6's have 3.42's. I've even seen some 2.73 geared Z's run low 13's STOCK. Why? They spin less with less gear.

SS tires are better, for HANDLING and high speeds. Yes, they're a little wider, but the shorter and stiffer sidewall causes tire shock which translates to lost traction. Otherwise you'd see drag cars running 20" wheels and 35 series tires. What do you see them run? 15" wheels with weak (wrinkle wall) sidewalls. Why? Taller and weaker sidewalls are easier to hook on, even with narrower treads. Ever see a DOT tire class run? They run 15" wheels with a designated width (10.5" IIRC). Why not 17 or 18" wheels and 40-35 series tires if they're better?

I agree, the SS suspension is NOT better for drag. Stiffer suspension = less traction. Take your front sway bar off at the track make a run and see what I mean.

All things said, its still a driver's race. Z28's are just as capable as an SS with less weight. It's been proven at many tracks and street events. I drive an SS, but won't count out a Z and don't look down on them either. If I was going to get a drag car it would be a stripper Z.

I have to agree with psycho on this. Even if you're not going to run go to the track and learn or go to a shop and talk to guys that are racing. At the very least quit reading the tuner mags and get some good old fashioned Car Craft. lol

 

first drag at englishtown ( a very altitude freindly track)13.9 to a ss 13.8 stock on both.fast forward to after the flowpac and loud mouth install on my car 13.28@106.3 on my 01 z 28 with my friends 02 ws6 ram air w/ a loud mouth best @13.4. all day i was 2 tenths faster than him each run! so much for all that special **** that cost thousands more

 

Here I'll defend the SS. I made my 13.56 @ 107 mph run in Tulsa in August (upper 90* temps) while stock, rolling out from the line then getting on it. Not great but it beat your time. I know a girl that ran 13.2x's in her stock A4 SS. I've also seen a WS6 make 320 rwhp STOCK. Judging by your times you were about 30 hp shy in stock form. Just because you're faster than 1, don't expect it from them all. Ever think you're possibly a little better driver than your friend and that is reflected in your ET? Both of your stock times were on the slow side of the norm anyway. I noticed for your modded ET, you have a flowpack and catback and you still compare your time to your friend with just a catback? Give me a break. How about I compare my times with headers, catback and lid to yours? Not that I've been to the track to get numbers yet, but you get the idea.

Yes, the SS/WS6 does cost more, but they also resale for more and hold their value better. As stated above w/the suspension, wheel/tire combo they do handle better. Not everyone wants a drag car.

No need to hate on the other. My point in the beginning was that they run right with each other. It doesn't take an SS to run 12's stock, a Z is fully capable and VERY few of either have done so. Both have their freaks and their factory dogs. All things equal it ends up being a driver's race.

 

i went 109 stock =) with a 13.2 lol

 

Also don't forget that most people have a warped definition of stock. Several of my friends claim stock cars with catbacks, tuning, lids, slicks/drag radials, etc. Any one of the above, or combination of any aftermarket parts= not stock.

The idea of the 12 second stock LS1 is a nice one indeed, and a magazine racer's dream... accomplishing that stock 12 second run is another thing entirely. Only a hadful have and/or CAN do it.

 

I agree with Birchman. For a lot of folks, their definition of stock would equate to my "stock" LT1 in my sig running 12's. I mean, internally including rockers, it seen 12's, so it "must" be stock, right?

We're talkin' stone-stock, as it came from the damn factory, and no, they did not install et streets at the dealership, or LCA's relocated, headers/cat-backs, lids, etc. That would be a specialty car, and I got one of those too, and that's another story altogether.

 

Some of these posts are damn stupid.

How much less do you think your Z28 weighs? 30 pounds

2.73 spin less so what they are usually in the LS1's that are a little slower.

 

SS's and WS6's are appearence upgrades. The rest is crap we would have replaced anyway. Lid, catback, headers, slicks with skinnies up front, LCA, SFC, ect. These are all mods that make whether you bought a SS or Z28 a mute point other then your hood looks cooler. And you can buy a hood if you really want it that bad.

If you have a SS #xxxxxx then be proud of your car. If you have a Z28 with 2.73 gears then be proud of your car. If you have a Formula with 3.23 gears then be proud of your car. If you have a Trans Am with 3.42 gears then be proud of your car. If you have a Honda Civic with a fart can, commando wing, stickers galore and no engine mods then put a grenade in your engine and pull the pin

 

It is really too close...all things said and done, i bought an SS because i liked the appearance better, and i would spend more buying a hood, wing, and rims for a z. but its true...all things said and done...its a drivers race...if you suck, it doesnt matter what you drive. believe it or not, ive seen a civic beat a vette...the old guy in the vette sucked so bad that all he did was spin 1st and 2nd, bog 3rd, and run a high 15. im sure the civic had some bolt ons, and he ran a low 15. now grantted, i wouldnt count on that again, but it just goes to show...a few lbs and options dosnt really mean anything unless 2 clones are racing.

 

how much less does my Z weight? go weight your SS and compare.. I posted all my weights.. (I always weigh my car with a full tank. Near the track there is a Mobil where I always fill up regardless of how much fuel I have already so that I can arrive as full as possible. Gas station is about 6 miles from track.)

My definition of Bone Factory Stock - no mods.. NO LID.. No Filter... No exhaust.. Nothing.. Just as it were from factory.. Tires must remain street tires no DR's... No Tuning. Nothing.. I even replaced my windshield wipers with the correct part number Bosch replacements..

My car is a factory stripper with just a couple addons.. Such as T-Tops, Leather wrapped steeringwheel and Factory Hurst. No power options...

My wheels are lighter as the stock 16" wheels were the lightest wheels ever offered stock on a Fbody. 245 tires are going to weight less than 275's and have less rotating mass so more of my power gets to the ground..

Previous post has link to my track times from last year spreadsheet.

Bone stock dyno - 320rwhp/337rwtq (over 40 passes on the dynojet at RSI)

(damn I hate typos)

 

You sound a little defensive. There have been a number of 100% stock LS1s in the 12s, with most in the low-mid 13s.

 

Not really, but after attending all SLP's drag days in E-town, and many many other fbody and related race events, I can't think of a single time I watched a 12-second, bone-stock LS1 or LT1 pass down the 1320. And quite a many of those events I had plenty of time to watch, as either I was already eliminated, or was broke/done for the day anyways.

Please don't take the posts the wrong way-I'm not saying they haven't happened, I'm simply saying of the stock cars I have seen, for LT1's it's been 14.3-13.9's, and LS1's I've seen 13.8's(poor drivers) through 13.2's. I really don't recall any lower than that. Plenty, of course, with mods, some being very minimal, such as cat-back & lid only, clicking high 12's, and they also respond very well to simple mods like that, whereas your typical LT1 will not see quite the gain of a comparible-modded LS1, is just fact. Not a debate once again, just saying that's what I've observed.

Additionally, for '01-'02 models, aren't quite a few of these cars factory equipped with LS6 blocks? That would also help explain a variation of a few tenths in ET assuming good driver, conditions, launch, etc. I would be willing to bet there are many capable of the 12, but mph says a lot, and unless it's dead stock posting 106+mph, I'd have to say 12's is really pushing it on stock tires, suspension, weight, etc...

 

I understand what you are saying. I ran a 13.4 @ 106.5 in my SS bone stock. I have only seen one bone stock LS1 in the 12s. That was a local guy who ran a 12.9 @ 107 in a stock LS1. Other than that, low 13s is certainly the norm from what I've seen. But it does happen.