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I’ve driven many GTO's and Camaro SS (Yes I Have, Its work). They are pretty close but the GTO is really a faster car in a straight line. That is once the GTO's get some better street rubber they are faster mostly because the camaros weight disadvantage.
The Ls3 motor is FAR better than the LS2 and much more willing to command better times. The Camaro brakes better, has a better(tighter) steering rack ratio so it feels more responsive, has superior differential/ half shaft setup. The camaro also improves on the G8's suspension. This is all expected in a new car! However, it is a Fat pig that’s up there with a four door pontiac G8.
All the automatic Camaros I have driven are dogs however... I left myself cursing as I realized I had traction control off and it really didn’t throw me into the seat. The transmission has just as much fault here as the low compression engine that begs for boost (supercharger etc). Like the Pontiac G8 GT from a 40mph roll its completely lifeless. The LS3 with the Tremec T6060 is the right by for those that want the fastest Camaro out of the boc.
Now being I have the knowledge to build GTO to whatever I need, suspension/powertrain included. i do not see the camaro being a superior chasis and actually inferior do to the weight increase. Around the track and on the drag strip once specked out.
However I surely can Make an Fbody the fastest thing on a drag strip. Weight is such a big factor, and live rear axle helps…Anyways…
This does not mean the GTO is a better performance car to buy. The Camaro is the better car as it can do many more things out of the box. Modified the camaro is Inferior, Stock it is superior, simple truth with so many variables’.
Out of the box for the average consumer the Camaro is a win and the Pontiac GTO was a looser.
I like to think of them as brother and sister. Debating which is better is foolish..
IF you truly wanted the fastest car you would have bought a corvette. Different stroles for different folks.
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