Quote:
Originally Posted by a_Username
Lesser by you mean very under-rated? The 1967 Z/28 was under-rated to keep the horsepower at less than 1HP per cubic inch (for reasons such as insurance and racing classes). Basically, they under-rated these figures in order to keep them competing in the Trans-Am (believe it was that event, correct me if I'm wrong on the specific name lol) racing classes. Who's to not say without a strict set of rules to go by, they would rate it at it's actual HP and make it at a larger size? There is no reason for them to under-rate their HP statistics or lower their cubic inches, so technically the Z/28 should have more horsepower and the same/bigger motor this time around.
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It seems to me the general concensus is that the Z28 has always been the heavy hitter. I think its collectable nature has reinforced that idea.
The 67-69 Z/28 came with 305's rated for competition in the trans am series. The SS models of the same year came with 350's or 396's. I think that is where people get confused. so even if they underated them they still carried the smaller engine. The Z/28 purpose was a road racer first and a street car second. however the ZL1's were "underated" for insurance and distribution. the rare car recieved a 427 all aluminium block that was rated at 430bhp but it was estimated they were pushing well over 500bhp. The Z28 has always been the track car, not the fastest but the all round favorite. The SS always carried the big motor and the hp. It was the street machine and weekend drag racer. That pattern has followed throughout the camaro line up since its birth. IMO the problem with this whole z28 thing is the "label". If they are going to make a Super camaro there are many labels to give it that make sense in its history. ie..yenko, copo, ZL1. but to make a z28 have more hp than a ss is not traditional. Thats like taking the shelby gt500 and then ford deciding to make a Bullit with a bigger badder engine. I may be a purist but the camaro and all pony cars alike live on their history. dont change it. So I say a TT v6 z28 is a good alternative. It wont have the big guns like the SS but it would be one hell of a track car thats lighter and more nimble. Which is what the Z28 is supposed to be. As far as a Super camaro to compete with the Gt500? IMO GM doesnt need it. from the looks of it the camaro will still outsell the stangs, even with their shelby's.