Z28 vs SS - Suggestions

[scottay]

Hey all. When I graduate from HS in '01 I bought myself a '98 Z28. The car was AWESOME to say the least! Unfortunately as it neared 100K miles I ran up a bunch of credit cards trying to keep the damn thing in one piece (motor mounts, couple sets of tires each year, tranny mounts, plugs, plug wires, blah blah blah...), so I had to sell it a couple years ago. I am now in a better financial situation to buy another one and am looking at an '00 Z28 or SS. My question is kind of a 2 part one.

1) Should I just get the SS, or get the Z28 and put a few parts on it? I would like to get the SS because I could buy it and not have to modify it right away. I know the difference between the Z and the SS is basically the ram air, a short throw shifter, a bigger sway bar, and slighty better exhaust... And of course the hood, which I don't really care about.

2) How much would it really take to make a Z an SS? Now, a K&N FPIK will solve the ram air issue. Sway bars aren't real expensive, and neither is exhuast. I'm not sure about the short throw shifter, but I may aswell throw in a performance clutch if it's easy. So, the way I see it, I could put the cost difference (about 1500 I'm thinking) into it and get much more horsepower for it. Again, I don't care if I have the hood scoop or not.

Let me know what you think! Your input is much appreciated :)

[Wayah-bird]

Your thinking is right on the money. The Z28 will probably be a bit less expensive to buy, then you can add whatever you like to it. It would all be new mods for you without worrying about the prior use. You should be able to find a nice garage-kept Z28 with low miles, then add everything on yourself. Would be a nice worry-free car for many miles. Good luck!

[nhraformula]

i would get the z28.

[BlinkFan0072]

yeah. i say z28

[USN_Z-28]

Z-28. If your going to swap ou the parts anyhow go ahead and save a few bucks.

[mbrownin]

Exact same shifter options available on Z28 & SS. Either standard or optional Hurst shifter (not limited to SS), neither of which are short-throw shifters.

[scottay]

Ah, thought the Hurst was a short throw. Thanks for clearing that up :-)

Thanks everyone for your replies! I'll go with the Z28. I can't wait!! Damn SUV's suck and are boring as hell to drive around town :thumbdn: lol

[Geldingmakr]

I'd vote SS, but I am partial.... :lol:




http://car-sho.com/abe/sig.jpg
i have it on ebay...bidding starts at 8,500 buy it now for 12,000
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=4629855460&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMESE%3AIT&rd=1

[sgt0704]

i'd say Z, and a short throw shifter from b&M runs around $190 or so..

[itsyasoldier]

I would go for the SS. In my town there are z's everywhere and I love having one of the only SS's rolling around. But that's just me.

[predator]

if you dont care if it has the hood then go for the z... but the hood is expensive and nearly justifies getting an ss just for the cost of the hood... if you arent gonna put it on get a z...

[camaro_ss]

i would go for the ss. it is not evrywhere and the hood are awesome

[SSzoe]

I love the fact of knowing that I am driving an SS.....I know there's no real big differance but SS's turns more heads and if your anything like me I hate the hassle of mods....Love them when i'm finished but hate waiting to be finished (Get the SS and GO!!!!)

Just my opinion

[ErikElvis]

I like knowing my car is a real SS. And its not only the hood its the pretty spoiler too!

[Huskerz1]

I like knowing my car is a real SS. And its not only the hood its the pretty spoiler too!

Right on brother!:yup:
Buy a Z, keep it a Z, make it a badass Z, and don't be a CLONE!

Or

Buy an SS

[98LSGUN]

The SS has 17 inch rims bigger tires for traction and will hold it's value over the Z. just my 2 cents... Seeing how you're buying a used car I bet you could find an SS some place for the about what you'd spend on a Z some place. Then just start modding that.

[sprung_monkey]

i'd go ss or go z28 and have a z28 :)

[Wesman]

I'd say go with the SS if you can, just because I love the way the Ram Air hood looks. Besides that though, they are very similar :burnout:

[predator]

ok im an idiot and just found out that they made non slp SS's (basically hood and rims... someone correct me if im wrong) i dont know, but since they arent slp cars you might be able to get them for about the same price as just your average z28... (though ive never seen one, unless im thinking that the ones i have seen are poser z28's)... this way you could have the hood and rims without having to pay extra for the slp name or options you are prolly gonna replace anyway... but knowing car lots they will say its an ss and charge you what an slp is worth...

WARNING: THIS POST CONTAINS THINGS THAT MIGHT TURN OUT TO BE BULLSHIT... ALWAYS GET SUPPORTING INFORMATION FROM PPL THAT KNOW WHAT THE HELL THEY ARE TALKING ABOUT...

-me

[jking]

I'm pretty sure that SLP was just upgraded option packages on the SS. IIRC, they came in 3 levels, topping out with a claimed 345hp package that had the center exhaust pipes.



Also, the minimal gains picked up from the exhaust and RA are negated by the heavier 17" wheels. The two cars run the same.

[knoll5150]

Listen kid, I own a 2000 SS convertible, and I love it. But Please, PLEASE! Don't waste your money trying to convert your Z28 into an SS. In reality the SS isn't that much quicker than a Z28. It is made for collectibilty factor. The cold reality is you'll never even come close to recouping the cash you put into modifying your Z28. It's like the guys that try to turn a "68 Pontiac LeMans into a GTO Judge... people aren't stupid, they aren't going to pay big cash for a fake.
My best advice is to either buy, and enjoy the Z28 for what it is... or save up the money for a real SS if you wish. Don't piss $$$ away on cheezy aftermarket parts that will bring no value to your car.

[StuntmanMike]

Only reason I'd buy an SS is because I like the wheels, hood, and wing better than the standard Z parts. If those parts don't mean anything to you, IMO there's really no reason to pay more for an SS.

[xinthenight]

Why is people saying stuff like "don't make a fake SS"? Since when is modding your z28 making a fake SS?

Anyways, I got a z28. The SS doesn't seem to have that much more power, and it's price is higher mostly because of its looks. I plan on doing a lot of custom work on my car anyways so there was nothing I liked on a SS over my z28.

Well, I take that back. The only thing I liked more about it was that it had the SS instead of z28. Something about the SS just makes me...I don't know, but for it's price I'd go with the Z. Usually you can spend the extra money you saved and mod it up and have more HP than the SS you would have just bought for the same price.

[Ovechkin~Monk]

Either way you won't lose....Z or SS.

SS=More exclusive. You will be part of a small "club" of sorts.

Z=Basically same performance, not as exclusive, but still rocking for less dough.

My opinion, if you find an SS.....swipe it up. If you don't, a Z28 is just as good.

I don't think I helped much.:think:

[knoll5150]

I have no problem riders adding performance parts to their Z28 for extra speed. Just remember...addding a fancy exhaust to your car is NOT going to raise the value that much. If you enjoy the mod's for your own gratification...great, just remember you ain't going to get the money you put into it back when you sell it (atleast just a fraction). And..tranforming your car from a Z28 into an SS is just a waste of $$$$ in my opinion.
Imaginine taking a "86 Grand National and "turning" it into a "GNX" by welding fatter fender flares w/ bigger tires, and making some turbo mods...think your gonna get top dollar for your replica? Doubt it.

I'm not trying to rip on Z28's here, they ARE the greatest bargain in performance cars history in my opinion...I just hate to see kids waste tons of cash to make thier car marginaly quicker with no value to the car they have dumped soooo much money into. I was there myself when I was 17 and owned a crappy "83 T/A in my youth, and throough money into Flowmasters, etc.

[mbrownin]

No such thing as a non-SLP SS. There are "base" SS's that have no SLP options, but it's still an SLP SS.

[knoll5150]

kind of splitting hairs, aren't we?

[Empatho]

I have no problem riders adding performance parts to their Z28 for extra speed. Just remember...addding a fancy exhaust to your car is NOT going to raise the value that much. If you enjoy the mod's for your own gratification...great, just remember you ain't going to get the money you put into it back when you sell it (atleast just a fraction). And..tranforming your car from a Z28 into an SS is just a waste of $$$$ in my opinion.
Imaginine taking a "86 Grand National and "turning" it into a "GNX" by welding fatter fender flares w/ bigger tires, and making some turbo mods...think your gonna get top dollar for your replica? Doubt it.

I'm not trying to rip on Z28's here, they ARE the greatest bargain in performance cars history in my opinion...I just hate to see kids waste tons of cash to make thier car marginaly quicker with no value to the car they have dumped soooo much money into. I was there myself when I was 17 and owned a crappy "83 T/A in my youth, and throough money into Flowmasters, etc.

dude you are right about the money you dump on performance mods in your car is not going to make the car more valuable, its the same with the SS or any "actual" collector's car because people want to buy stock cars not modded. But what fun is it driving a stock car :think: so what are you trying to say? that just because its a Z he shouldnt mod it :hmm: I bought my car to mod it and have fun with it, not just to stare at it when its parked in the garage. And its never money wasted if you're having fun with your mods :drivin: In my opinion its more money wasted when you buy a car that is going down in price every year and you dont have fun with it and later in life sale if for a fraction of what you paid for it new, the problem is that you never had fun with it :unhappy: its like payigoing to another country pay top $$$ and just stay in the house and stare throu the window when you could go out and actually have fun.

[myzisbetter]

go with the z28. throw a 4 inch cowl hood on it and some nice z stripes and make it just wicked.remember like one guy said in here before.....any thing can be an ss with gm but only a camaro will always be a z28.

[danziger]

If you are going to mod it, get the Z28.
If you are going to leave it stock, get the SS.

[knoll5150]

dude you are right about the money you dump on performance mods in your car is not going to make the car more valuable, its the same with the SS or any "actual" collector's car because people want to buy stock cars not modded. But what fun is it driving a stock car :think: so what are you trying to say? that just because its a Z he shouldnt mod it :hmm: I bought my car to mod it and have fun with it, not just to stare at it when its parked in the garage. And its never money wasted if you're having fun with your mods :drivin: In my opinion its more money wasted when you buy a car that is going down in price every year and you dont have fun with it and later in life sale if for a fraction of what you paid for it new, the problem is that you never had fun with it :unhappy: its like payigoing to another country pay top $$$ and just stay in the house and stare throu the window when you could go out and actually have fun.

I'm not ripping guys who want to mod their cars here. But say you by 2000 Z28 for $10K and then "turn" it into a SS. The parts (not including labor) for the tires, rims, entire new hood, and exhaust will probably run you an additional $5,000. This isn't even including the price of suspension, oil cooler, and badges. You can buy a real SS for about $14k. What's the point of wasting all that time and money?

[Empatho]

if you end up paying 5k for all that then you are gettting ripped off because you can get it for less, the only thing from the SS that I would get is the hood but the VFN 3" SS hood :firedevil: I like the SS spoiler but I like more the RS so Im going to get one of those, and I just wouldnt buy the rims or suspension crap. Oil coolers are not that expensive you can get one for $20.

[RedRocketZ28]

Exact same shifter options available on Z28 & SS. Either standard or optional Hurst shifter (not limited to SS), neither of which are short-throw shifters.

Not true. The factory hurst is a short throw. I have had one on both my old LT1 and my LS1. I bought them used. One was out of an SS and the other a Z28. The throw is much shorter than that of the stock crap shifter. Add a short stick to the factory hurst and you have a great shifter for less than $60.

Anyway, I would buy whichever car you get the best deal on. If you find an SS for a great price buy it, and same goes for the Z28. Both will be about the same power wise, drive the same, feel the same, etc. My Dad has a 98 SS with 18k miles on it and it feels the same as my car does.

As far as an SS being an SLP SS, I am not sure if they all are or not. My Dad's has no SLP options (although it was sold directly across the street from the SLP plant) so I was told it is just an SS and not SLP SS. Like I said, I don't know for sure though. Either way, it doesn't matter. Most people add after market parts to their car and ditch the stock stuff anyway. Good luck with finding your car.

[aerojt]

Not true. The factory hurst is a short throw. I have had one on both my old LT1 and my LS1. I bought them used. One was out of an SS and the other a Z28. The throw is much shorter than that of the stock crap shifter. Add a short stick to the factory hurst and you have a great shifter for less than $60.

Anyway, I would buy whichever car you get the best deal on. If you find an SS for a great price buy it, and same goes for the Z28. Both will be about the same power wise, drive the same, feel the same, etc. My Dad has a 98 SS with 18k miles on it and it feels the same as my car does.

As far as an SS being an SLP SS, I am not sure if they all are or not. My Dad's has no SLP options (although it was sold directly across the street from the SLP plant) so I was told it is just an SS and not SLP SS. Like I said, I don't know for sure though. Either way, it doesn't matter. Most people add after market parts to their car and ditch the stock stuff anyway. Good luck with finding your car.

From what I have been told, they all went to SLP for the suspension, wheels, hood/spoiler, and exhaust. Then if they had any slp options they would fit those as well-better exhaust, chrome wheels, bilstein suspension, castrol oil, ss grille, etc.

Mine had no options on it from SLP, but according to them it was there.

I also have read that starting in 1998 GM made the SS's in house, whatever that means, so I don't know what to believe. Anybody have a correct answer?

[JwMonE99]

Either way, make it a sleeper and make ur car a RS clone

[Empatho]

Either way, make it a sleeper and make ur car a RS clone

I was thinking about doing that to get more races :firedevil:

[greatwhiteZ28]

buy stock either ss or Z, modd to your likeing and build more knlowedge of doing mods. since these cars are all used now you can find the either car with the same miles and condition for the same price. THERE ALL USED. not like paying more from dealer.

and saying to buy a ss caseu it has the different lid and somewhat better exhaust, 99.9 % of any maro owner changes it to aftermarket making it better then the stock SS set up. all of these cars have the same HP, its just the over rated 3's that slp gives people think that ss cars are faster.

[chevyracerno01]

Just do like I did buy a '02 Z28 and put in a Zoops LS6 Crate engine, It's got 525 RWHP No SS or Corvette on the planet can touch it!

[Y2KPewterSS]

Just do like I did buy a '02 Z28 and put in a Zoops LS6 Crate engine, It's got 525 RWHP No SS or Corvette on the planet can touch it!

There is always something out there with more HP, faster etc.

[greatwhiteZ28]

There is always something out there with more HP, faster etc.


x2
2 years ago my freinds dad found that out the hard way with $ on race have a mid 8 car on the street ( dumping all college funds and retierment) racing some regal that came on a trailer and pulled a wheelie about 25 further then his.

[mnypitZ]

Just do like I did buy a '02 Z28 and put in a Zoops LS6 Crate engine, It's got 525 RWHP No SS or Corvette on the planet can touch it!

Thats a pretty bold statement. 525RWHP is really not hard to achieve on an LS1 f-body. Dont be surprised if there are more out there than you think. :D

Either way, I had this choice to make myself. I had in the neigborhood of $26000 total to spend and ended up finding a super clean Cayenne Red Metallic 98 Z28 for $3600. It had 120k on it but I didnt care because my intent was to mod it anyway, so eventually not much will stay stock. I really bought it for the color. I didnt see any SS cars in anything other than red black or white. At least not that I was willing to spend the money on anyway. I saved so much money I was able to do heads, cam, LTs, ORY, and a whole slew of suspension and bolt ons. SS wheels and nittos all the way around. And I was also able to get a nice new bar/outdoor kitchen built on my pool deck with a kegerator and fridge and grill built in.

If you keep your eyes open you can find parts used in perfect condition. I bought my wheels and tires used, but like brand new, for $650. The tires cost that much new, so it was like getting the rims free.

Either way, if you dont care for the SS hood then dont waste your money on an SS. Most aftermarket performance parts are as good if not better than what you get on the SS package.

[slims00ls1z28]

If you are buying to make an investment buy gold or stocks. A car's value drops quicker than a prostitute's underwear on a Friday night. Buy the Z, mod the Z and have fun.

[Hot Black Trans-Am]

I'd get which ever one you can find a better deal on. I really recommend considering the T/A option though. The hood, spoiler and badges are really the only parts I'd keep over the Z-28 if I got a SS.

[b.lee]

An SS is actually over rated HP wise.
They say they are 345hp but there more like 320-330hp.

Id get the cheapest, lowest mileage, either Z28, SS, T/A, Vette, Etc.
I wouldn't spend over $10k, then dump the rest of the cash into mods.
Big cam, intake, headers....maybe even a 383ci crank and a set of nice heads.

[99Ls1fever]

I actaully was in this exact same place as you where a couple months ago. The ss camaro where more expensive and had more miles on them. the z28's were cheaper and had less miles on them. I bought a z28 and spent 300 and had the ram air put on and got rid of the cats and mufflers for free and i can keep right next to the ss' s at the track.
99 Camaro z28 dynoed saturday 338.4 hp and 344.2 trq
Camaro was bought with 50,600 miles 6 speed $10k, SS was $12k 90,000 miles

[danziger]

Just do like I did buy a '02 Z28 and put in a Zoops LS6 Crate engine, It's got 525 RWHP No SS or Corvette on the planet can touch it!

I'll take that bet...

[danziger]

An SS is actually over rated HP wise.
They say they are 345hp but there more like 320-330hp.

ALL LS1s make around 345-350HP. Any number that was released by GM was purely for marketing purposes. There is virtually zero difference between rwhp for the Z28 and SS unless the SS has SLP options on it. Once again, ALL LS1 F-bodys were underrated for HP.

[allbaugh_04]

Right on brother!:yup:
Buy a Z, keep it a Z, make it a badass Z, and don't be a CLONE!

Or

Buy an SS

I don't see why z owners can't get a ss hood or spoiler if they wish...i can usually tell the diff. unless they put ss badges on it too.

[baze112]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned which will help in the long run, is Insurance. Insurance on an SS will be higher for your age bracket than the Z will be. Dont get me wrong you'll still pay but not as much. Then you will have more money to pay for your mods... haha just my $0.02

[jigger1166]

I had a 98 Z28, and now have a non-SLP 2000 SS. And from what I can tell, the only diffs. are the hood, spoiler, and wheels. They ride the same, pull the same, and sound the same. The only diff. in exhaust is tips, they have the same muffler.

If your not interested in the looks of an SS, buy a Z28 and do your own personal mods/make it stand out from everybody elses.

[jigger1166]

Either way you won't lose....Z or SS.

SS=More exclusive. You will be part of a small "club" of sorts.

Z=Basically same performance, not as exclusive, but still rocking for less dough.

My opinion, if you find an SS.....swipe it up. If you don't, a Z28 is just as good.

I don't think I helped much.:think:

I agree

[Kup98ss]

When it comes down to which car to choose don't look at it like Z28 vs. SS. Look for the best over all price and most importantly the condition of the car.

[mnypitZ]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned which will help in the long run, is Insurance. Insurance on an SS will be higher for your age bracket than the Z will be. Dont get me wrong you'll still pay but not as much. Then you will have more money to pay for your mods... haha just my $0.02

My insurance went down everytime I switched to a Z28 or Trans Am. First time was from a 96 S10 to a 96 Trans Am, insurance went down. Then a 98 Land Rover DIscovery to a 96 Z28 convertible, insurance went down, then from a Triumph TR7 to a 00 Z28 convertible, insurance went down, then this time went from a 98 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8 to my current 98 Z28 and again my insurance went down, and substantially, like $400 a year.

Quotes for SS was the same as for the Z28. Of course I am 37 and married with kid, so that probably helps, and recently my documented mileage is less than 100miles a month. Gotta love that company car.

[jigger1166]

One thing that hasn't been mentioned which will help in the long run, is Insurance. Insurance on an SS will be higher for your age bracket than the Z will be. Dont get me wrong you'll still pay but not as much. Then you will have more money to pay for your mods... haha just my $0.02

I don't think ins. is any more for a SS over a Z28. When i switched from Z28 to SS it didn't change.

[xinthenight]

I'm not ripping guys who want to mod their cars here. But say you by 2000 Z28 for $10K and then "turn" it into a SS. The parts (not including labor) for the tires, rims, entire new hood, and exhaust will probably run you an additional $5,000. This isn't even including the price of suspension, oil cooler, and badges. You can buy a real SS for about $14k. What's the point of wasting all that time and money?

Uh...why is modding a z28 "turning it into a SS"? Don't be stupid.

Also, maybe where you go you will spend 5k on those parts. But everywhere else in the world where things aren't 3 times the price we will save a few thousand dollars.

Anyways, I bought my 94 z28 for a little over 5k after getting a new clutch and few problems fixed when I very fist got it. I already had planned to try to make most of the mods that I can myself since I'm planning on opening my own shop so the extra 30-40 HP(about right?) that a SS has over the z28 isn't worth the 10k or so higher price in my books, especially considering the little time I get to work is paying monthly bills for college right now.

The only reason I'd want a SS is because I see less and they are the superior camaro right now. But for the price, I was able to buy a z28, have enough money to get the mods that would make it just as fast as a SS, and then still have more than enough to pay for most of my bills for about half a year. So I couldn't turn that offer down. I would still like to get a SS later down the road though and turn the z28 in a dragster only car.

[mnypitZ]

Uh...why is modding a z28 "turning it into a SS"? Don't be stupid.

Also, maybe where you go you will spend 5k on those parts. But everywhere else in the world where things aren't 3 times the price we will save a few thousand dollars.

Anyways, I bought my 94 z28 for a little over 5k after getting a new clutch and few problems fixed when I very fist got it. I already had planned to try to make most of the mods that I can myself since I'm planning on opening my own shop so the extra 30-40 HP(about right?) that a SS has over the z28 isn't worth the 10k or so higher price in my books, especially considering the little time I get to work is paying monthly bills for college right now.

The only reason I'd want a SS is because I see less and they are the superior camaro right now. But for the price, I was able to buy a z28, have enough money to get the mods that would make it just as fast as a SS, and then still have more than enough to pay for most of my bills for about half a year. So I couldn't turn that offer down. I would still like to get a SS later down the road though and turn the z28 in a dragster only car.

Exactly. I paid $3600 for my 98 LS1 and I have put less than $4000 into mods and repairs and trust me, no stock SS will be able to keep up with me and minus the SS hood, I have never seen an SS I would rather have.

Take a look at this.

http://www.ls1.com/forums/showthread.php?p=982422#post982422

Just one of the mods that should bring me into the high 400rwhp range.

[baze112]

I don't think ins. is any more for a SS over a Z28. When i switched from Z28 to SS it didn't change. I Mostly agree, but look at my Orig. statement. I said his age bracket. Ins has a lot to do with what state you live in and where in that state. Other factors like ones driving record and what type of coverage come into play as well. Do you think that if you were 17-22 that you would be still paying less than $1000.00a year for full coverage ins on a Z of any kind? :rock:

[jigger1166]

I Mostly agree, but look at my Orig. statement. I said his age bracket. Ins has a lot to do with what state you live in and where in that state. Other factors like ones driving record and what type of coverage come into play as well. Do you think that if you were 17-22 that you would be still paying less than $1000.00a year for full coverage ins on a Z of any kind? :rock:

My point was that the ins. companys don't charge more for a SS. They're both LS1/high powered. They charge more for horse power, not hoods and spoilers. Call them and check. My point had nothing to do with age,state, record, coverage. :spank2:

[mnypitZ]

My point was that the ins. companys don't charge more for a SS. They're both LS1/high powered. They charge more for horse power, not hoods and spoilers. Call them and check. My point had nothing to do with age,state, record, coverage. :spank2:

You are right, when I owned my dealership, the VIN number for an SS would always come back as a Z28. I played hell getting an SS financed with most banks. And then the insurance company would only see it as a Z28 as well, causing the owner to have to put actual/agreed value type insurance to get it covered properly.