SS vs Z. Why?? Not another Z28 Thread!! Just curious.

[radz28]

In terms of raw power, the SS was the top dog, however, there were successful Z28s campaigned in drag racing too that one championships. On the whole, I think the Z28 was the best all-around car. Specifically to the Gen 5, I'm glad that it would seem Z28 will be the top dog over the SS. I only say this because, like OP already said that SS has been put on almost everything, save for the 'Vette. Almost any car can be an SS (that originally started out only as a trim package in the 60s) but there are very few Z-cars. Those cars seem to raise the bar higher, as of late. The only contradiction I can remember is the Z71/Z66 Silverado and the SS Silverado. What seems funny to me is the SS seemed more like a four-wheel-drive Z71 with a different transfer case and cladding. I thought is was a pretty good idea, but it was like a street Z71 with a 6.0. I just hope the Z' comes back

[DGthe3]

I don't like the idea of a supercharged Z28. Adds raw power and adds weight up front which throws off handling. A lot like what a big block would do. An LS7 in a lighter car (150 lbs less is probably doable, for a price) with upgraded suspension would be more appropriate to the heritage.

[Beamer]

Originally Posted by TRIXXTERR

Oooh. My Bad your right.. I Fixed.

all good , I just had a couple 2nd gen z24's, was looking at the z26's to add to the z collection and almost got an z34 haha.

My cavalier in the back is an SS, person before me put the nice razzi kit on it and than stuck Super Sport decals on the sides, rear and dash. Oh yea, 2.2L slow pos with like a 3 spd slushbox or it could of been dealer rice, see alot of that.

[radz28]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

I don't like the idea of a supercharged Z28. Adds raw power and adds weight up front which throws off handling. A lot like what a big block would do. An LS7 in a lighter car (150 lbs less is probably doable, for a price) with upgraded suspension would be more appropriate to the heritage.

But I want to SMOKE Shelbys Besides - they've been cheating with superchargers since '03. It's payback time Supercharging is definately not Z28 in the past though.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by TRIXXTERR

OK. I have been wondering about this Whole SS Vs. Z28 hoopla..For as long as i can remember the Z28 was always topdog. I mean why did GM change from the Z being the topdog to the SS?? And I Dont mean specificlly the Z28. Everything..well everything EXCEPT on the Vettes.

Discuss. PLEASE DO NOT TURN THIS INTO ANOTHER OF THOSE Z28 THREADS. I am just wondering about the SS and Z as a whole not just for the CAMARO..

have you read any of my posts in the Z28 threads? lol

GM didnt change from Z28 being the top. when the 4th gens were launched, the F-body was already on the cutting board. GM did a base version, and the top dog version. and thats all they planned on doing. then in 96, SLP started modifying Z28s and badging them as SS's. GM jumped on board and took it to town. (which is why anyone trying to sell you a "true 93-95 SS" is blowing smoke up your ass.)

GM wasnt sure how long the car was going to last. so they went all out (at the time) making the Z28.

Originally Posted by TRIXXTERR

That and i never really cared for the Vette until the restyle in 98..

you mean 97.... right... C5? I love them as well.

Originally Posted by radz282003

But I want to SMOKE Shelbys Besides - they've been cheating with superchargers since '03. It's payback time Supercharging is definately not Z28 in the past though.

GM has proven we dont need FI to make big numbers and go fast. however, I would like to see a factory installed blower on the car. even if they dont, a Gen 5 motor pushing 400 cubes would be bad ass.


actually, I take that back. a COPO camaro would be bad ass. lol

[radz28]

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

have you read any of my posts in the Z28 threads? lol

GM didnt change from Z28 being the top. when the 4th gens were launched, the F-body was already on the cutting board. GM did a base version, and the top dog version. and thats all they planned on doing. then in 96, SLP started modifying Z28s and badging them as SS's. GM jumped on board and took it to town. (which is why anyone trying to sell you a "true 93-95 SS" is blowing smoke up your ass.)

GM wasnt sure how long the car was going to last. so they went all out (at the time) making the Z28.

you mean 97.... right... C5? I love them as well.

GM has proven we dont need FI to make big numbers and go fast. however, I would like to see a factory installed blower on the car. even if they dont, a Gen 5 motor pushing 400 cubes would be bad ass.

actually, I take that back. a COPO camaro would be bad ass. lol

You had me at COPO

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by radz282003

You had me at COPO

[MrIcky]

I think this is part of Chevy's overall image problem. People had expectations of Z or SS monikers and Chevy has a rollercoaster history of meeting these expectations.

Hopefully Chevy makes good on their promise to never slap these designations on vehicles that don't deserve them again.

[zebra]

Originally Posted by TRIXXTERR

...I mean why did GM change from the Z being the topdog to the SS?? And I Dont mean specificlly the Z28. Everything..well everything EXCEPT on the Vettes.

Corvette ZL1
Corvette Z06.
Corvette Zr1

CAMARO ..ZL1
CAMARO.. Z28
Cavalier.. Z24
Beretta.. Z26
Avalanche.. Z66
Lumina.. Z34
Silverado/Tahoe Z71.
I am sure there are more but these are all it can think of at the moment.But Now its All SS.

Cobalt SS
Impala SS
Silverado SS (what a joke)
Malibu SS
Monte Carlo SS

That being said IF ANYTHING can be an SS then whats the point? Just because it is top of the line for a particular model does that REALLY make it worthy of the title SUPER SPORT?? I Mean What Is so SUPER about the Malibu, Impala,Or Monte?? And the Silverado? do I even need to go there?...

the Z66 package on the Avalanche was a suspension package for the 2WD versions.
it included

• Tuned suspension with load leveling rear shocks
• 17" alloy wheels with road tires
• Agressive rubber floor mats
• Traction control
• Locker rear differential
• Z66 decal

the Z71 package wasn't a performance option either. it's a 4WD suspension package as well (until later years when it was changed to an appearance package for certain models)
it originally included

• 46 mm shocks
• off-road jounce bumpers
• 34mm front stabilizer bar
• high capacity air cleaner
• heavy-duty automatic locking rear differential
• Skid Plate Package

the point of the SS lineup wasn't to just slap a badge on as much crap as possible. it was to try and offer a more performance-oriented version of that model. also, if you remember, there used to be SS malibus, impalas, & such.
yes, the Silverado SS was, let's say... less than what we expected, but it was still along that same premise. if they really wanted to make a Lightning killer, they'd've went with production of the Regular Cab SS concept (http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...966#post332966)

Originally Posted by radz282003

...The only contradiction I can remember is the Z71/Z66 Silverado and the SS Silverado. What seems funny to me is the SS seemed more like a four-wheel-drive Z71 with a different transfer case and cladding. I thought is was a pretty good idea, but it was like a street Z71 with a 6.0...

like i said above, Z71 & Z66 are suspension packages for 4WD & 2WD, respectively... not performance packages. the SS was AWD and had a higher-output LQ9 instead of the regular LQ4 (which you could get the Z-- packages on, by the way)

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

...actually, I take that back. a COPO camaro would be bad ass. lol

MMMmmm!!! COPO!!!

Originally Posted by MrIcky

...Hopefully Chevy makes good on their promise to never slap these designations on vehicles that don't deserve them again.

this puts it best

Originally Posted by fbodfather

We do not want to use the Z28 moniker on a car that does not deserve this hallowed name.

[DGthe3]

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

GM has proven we dont need FI to make big numbers and go fast. however, I would like to see a factory installed blower on the car. even if they dont, a Gen 5 motor pushing 400 cubes would be bad ass.

Glad you took that back. While such an engine would be in the 550 hp range, to truly make it badass, add forced induction on top of that.

[CamaroSpike23]

Originally Posted by DGthe3

Glad you took that back. While such an engine would be in the 550 hp range, to truly make it badass, add forced induction on top of that.

twin charged and nitrous with a shot of meth just for kicks.

tho I miss the days where you could tell a motor shop that you wanted a camaro that could go XX.XX seconds... and they tell you how much it would cost.

[FastEddie]

Originally Posted by AngryAmish

You forgot the 454 SS. Quite possibly the only truck I've ever liked. Those things ROCKED.

^^^^SUPER-COSIGN^^^^

[zebra]

HOLY NECROTHREAD, BATMAN!!!!!

[Mr. Wyndham]

Unfortunately...Chevrolet regressed to putting the "SS" badge on anything even loosely performance oriented for a short-time....it effectively dissolved what the name stood for. Until they came to their senses and produced the Impala SS, Turbocharged Cobalt SS, and now the Camaro SS...

Today, given emissions and fuel economy standards, they cannot justify producing a model of every Chevy that would live up to the designation...so it gets put on few vehicles...:(

IMHO...the 'Z's were always higher up on the food chain than the SS's where performance was concerned.