Quote:
Originally Posted by 1st Gen Forever
Little off on the 69 Z/28.
GM had a bunch of weekend racers working for them and wanted to go SCCA Tans Am sedan racing. The rule book dictated cars had to be production sedans with a maximum engine displacement of 5.0 liters. So they took the 327 block, stuck a 283 crank in it (making a 302) with the best production (at the time) heads, intake, a huge cam and high compression pistons to build a super easy revving high RPM banshee of an engine. To keep to the rule book, they offered it to the public in 1967 as an option called "Special Performance Package" R.P.O code Z28. Every option had a code. Even stripes, head restraints, etc.
They under rated the HP at 290 but most people agree it was more of a 400HP motor but needed a steep rear end gear to stay in the power band. And you’d need to pull the valve covers to adjust the valves about once a week if you actually drove it daily. Not really street friendly.
In 1967 the Z28 didn't even have emblems but as word got out an polularity grew into 68 and 69, the Z28 became legendary and more ended up on the street than in Trans Am racing.
In 1970, GM pulled out of Tans Am Racing and the Z/28 ever since as been various street option packages not geared toward any form of sanctioned racing except for the IROC-Z in the 80's.
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Just to add to your correct info, '67-'69 Z/28 was not available with AC, auto tranny, or as a convertible. In '69 you could get the chambered exhaust system (no mufflers like the Vette sidepipes, but under the car). It had the stiffest front springs of any small block Camaro in those years, while all Camaros then had 14" wheels the Z/28 had 15" wheels yet sat two inches lower than other Camaros, thus was only available with E7015 tires while the SS has F7014 tires. Just some little tidbits of added info.
Clyde