Why did the ss only have 70 more horse

[shamp21]

Why did the ss only have alittle more horsepower than the v6? In every other generation of the camaro it was a huge difference... Also don't understand why such little difference in the horsepower between the ls2 and l99... From ls1 to ls2 dang near 75 hp difference... Then from l99 to lt1 55 hp??

[Angrybird 12]

Don't just look at the HP as it only tells part of the story, look also at the torque ratings, big difference there....

[JDP Sales]

More torque also and 200-300 lbs less weight to drag around. Don't work harder, work smarter ;-)

Jared Royce
888.308.6007

[shamp21]

More torque yes but still much less hp percentage than the difference of the 70s 80s and 90s... Seems like they were so busy promoting the zl1 they kinda forgot about the ss which I'm sure they sold more of

[shamp21]

Don't get me wrong I absolutely love my new camaro. I just looked, in 2002 the ss camaro had 310 hp the 6 banger had 200. I guess I just miss the days where having the baddest car on the block didn't cost a fortune..whatever happened to the muscle car..a budget car with a badass motor ?!

[shamp21]

1969 base 6 banger - 140 hp v8 - 255 hp

[pyroguy]

Originally Posted by shamp21

More torque yes but still much less hp percentage than the difference of the 70s 80s and 90s... Seems like they were so busy promoting the zl1 they kinda forgot about the ss which I'm sure they sold more of

Well for example, I jumped to a random 80's Camaro, a 1984 to be exact. It is much easier to have a large percentage of horsepower jump from engine to engine when your peak hp rating is 190 hp. Jumping from the anemic 107 hp V6 is substantial or the barely living 92 hp 4 cylinder.

In the mid 70's it isn't much different. 1975 found 105 hp for the V6 and 155 hp for the peak power V8.

Depending on the year in the 90's the jump was anywhere from 160 hp for the V6 and 275 hp for the V8 to 205 hp for the V6 to 325 for the V8 unless you get a special edition like a stage 3 GMMG ZL1 with 600ish hp.

Because the total numbers are higher means that you will have less gap percentage wise when you are talking similar hp differences. So ultimately, approximately 75-100 hp jump for a V6 to a V8 is not out of the ball park. Also, remember the LS1 was the first of the LS motors at 5.7 litres. As you learn more about your engine you learn ways to make it more efficient (powerful) hence the LS6 (5.7L 385-405 hp), LS2 (6.0L 400 hp), LS7 (7.0L 505 hp), LS3 (6.2L 426-430 hp), LS9 (6.2L supercharged 638 hp). I could see the LT1 making north of 500 hp by the time the LT engines are retired again.

[shamp21]

Good points but look at those differences ... 90s 160 to 275 ... That is 175 more horse as compared to 70 in ours., to get that much difference now they make u pay zl1 prices

[SteelCamaro]

This isn't 1970 anymore. There's more to cars nowadays than just horsepower.

[shamp21]

I know that but it's still king..hence the reason the zl1 has 580 and costs an extra 20 gs

[69L48Z27]

Not sure I understand your question or point.

2015:
V6 - 323/278
V8 - 426/420
+ 103hp

2016:
I4 - 275/295
V6 - 335/284
V8 - 455/455
+ 120hp from V6 to 8

Seems right in line with your '69 comparison.

[shamp21]

In fact if I didn't care about horsepower I could have gotten the rest of the stuff much cheaper by purchasing a 6 cylinder or better yet a Prius ��

[shamp21]

The 2015 l99 has 400 hp

[polizzio]

Originally Posted by SteelCamaro

This isn't 1970 anymore. There's more to cars nowadays than just horsepower.

Yeah, thats why one of the current highest horsepower american production cars the Corvette Z06 (650 HP) with the A8 runs 10s in the quarter mile bone stock.

That is an AMAZING feat....and its ALL about HP. For 85k.