z28 vs. ss?

[Qwk94Z28]

since i only have a z28 i wanted to make into a ss pretty much. i was just wondering what the differences between the two were. i know bumpers and hood, didn't the ss get slp headers also?

[ibanez7]

the only difference is hood, wheels, wing, shifter(manual) suspension(know as 1LE, tighter sway bars) and less restrictive exhaust. Nothing more, both cars competitive against eachother in the quarter.

I bought a 2001 z28 so I can add better suspension, hood, wheels and exhaust then what is on an SS

[Orange SS]

shifter was optional on a Z too, 1LE suspension was an upgrade by itself not standard

[ss~zoso~ss]

Z28<ss

[ss~zoso~ss]

the ss will always have a much higer resale value, which can't be attained with a SS Clone

[snaggeltooth]

maybe a SS is better in retail , but it depends on what you do to it. I would not be as inclined to put mods on a SS as I would on a Z28.

[Qwk94Z28]

just saying yah my car is an ss amazes everyone for some reason

[jimmyboy8301]

the SS is more of a collectors car. according ot GM it has 325hp as opposed to the 305 the Z28 supposedly has. I've heard that realistically though both cars are around 340-350hp or so to the flywheel from the factory. These numbers were supposedly downgraded as not to "steal thunder" from the corvete.

[91Z28]

It has been proven that they dyno exactly the same, and the SS had a slight weight disadvantage. With an SS you are really paying for looks, not performance. For pure performance, Z28 is the ticket. Been that way since 1st gens.

[BIG D's SS]

It has been proven that they dyno exactly the same, and the SS had a slight weight disadvantage. With an SS you are really paying for looks, not performance. For pure performance, Z28 is the ticket. Been that way since 1st gens.

I do not agree with what you said on pure performance since 1st Gen's. First gens you could get the 396 in the SS. A Z/28 was still bad ass but nothing like raising the hood on a first gen and seeing a big block. Remember the moto "No Replacement for Displacement".

[91Z28]

The Z/28 had the fastest quarter mile times and best handling in 1st gens. That 302 wasn't "normal", it was a racing engine that was seriously underrated at 290 hp. The big blocks could muster better 0-60 times, but that was it. This excludes the COPO vehicles of course.

[redz284u]

i thought the z-28 had different gears than the ss?????????????or does that just apply from a 5 speed to an a4.........

[97lt1ss]

i thought the z-28 had different gears than the ss?????????????or does that just apply from a 5 speed to an a4.........

if i recall right!! z-28's did not have 5 speeds, they were six speeds,im not for sure but i belive the a4 has 3.23's and the m6's have 3.42's. anyopne correct me if i am wrong.

i also believe the z28 are just as fast as an ss. my friend drew-99 ss m6 13.9- his mom 01 z best of 13.7 a4 car. but the 01 has ls6 intake- not much a little bit! the 99 has bad 60 times also. it is a driver race as far as im concerned.

[FantaZGuy28]

When the newer LS1's got the LS6 intake manifold, they also lost the cam that was in the previous LS1 models. With 98-00 they had a bigger cam but not the same intake manifold as the newer 01-02, smaller cam but had LS6 manifold. Its not just the car but the year also plays a factor in hp.

[91Z28]

This subject has been well covered. LS1s ALL had T56s, no 5 speeds. Gears are the same for an SS, all that is different is hood, spoiler, wheels, suspension. Any LS1 car will dyno in the neighborhood of 300 rwhp.

[02NHRAtransAm]

i have owned both a z28 and an ss. Dont ask me why but just the feeling of an SS is so much better, dont get me wrong there is nothing wrong with a z28.

I sold my teal z28

To get my 01 sunset orange SS

[Old Timer]

The SS had the ability to order with the SLP options. They were the company that GM had the contract to convert the Z28 into the SS. The SS retails for more $$$, & it just a little heaveir than the Z for racing. The insurance usually is higher Because of the value of the car & supposely a little more HP.

[TwistedSS]

This subject has been well covered. LS1s ALL had T56s, no 5 speeds. Gears are the same for an SS, all that is different is hood, spoiler, wheels, suspension. Any LS1 car will dyno in the neighborhood of 300 rwhp.

Gear info:

4L60E- Z28s have 2.73 or 3.23 (option, and aluminum driveshaft w/3.23)
SS's have 3.23's with A4 (aluminum driveshaft)

T56- Z28s had 3.42
SS's have 3.42s as well

RPO CODES: GU2- 2.73, GU5- 3.23, GU6- 3.42

Just thought i'd throw that out there...


Also, 302 Chevy > 302 Ford!!!

[bbfirebird]

performance-wise, theres no real difference. i've owned an 02 SS and now have a 00 Formula Firebird. the real difference is in the handling, with the SS having the larger swaybars and wider tires. the hood does a piss-poor job of getting cold air into the engine. the SS does have a larger exhaust, 2.75" instead of the Z28s 2.5". there was an option to get a "345 HP" package, which was basically an air lid and a catback. pretty much everyone does this to their cars anyway, so who cares? largely, it's a cosmetic difference more than anything else. but i have to admit, it's cool as hell sitting behind the wheel and seeing the bulge in the middle of the hood.

[91Z28]

Gear info:

4L60E- Z28s have 2.73 or 3.23 (option, and aluminum driveshaft w/3.23)
SS's have 3.23's with A4 (aluminum driveshaft)

T56- Z28s had 3.42
SS's have 3.42s as well

RPO CODES: GU2- 2.73, GU5- 3.23, GU6- 3.42

Just thought i'd throw that out there...


Also, 302 Chevy > 302 Ford!!!

That is pretty much what I said. SS have the same gears, and the 302 Z/28 was the fastest 1st gen(excluding COPOs) and definitely leagues ahead of Furd's 302.