Z28 Higher than SS?

[2010_5thgen]

ok wrong choice of words. but it had an edge to the z28 because of the bigger tires, shorter shifter, a little more hp from the exhaust and intake, and the stiffer suspension. it in the end was a better "stock" performer than the z28, in the 4th gen.

[The_Blur]

Originally Posted by 2010_5thgen

ok wrong choice of words. but it had an edge to the z28 because of the bigger tires, shorter shifter, a little more hp from the exhaust and intake, and the stiffer suspension. it in the end was a better "stock" performer than the z28, in the 4th gen.

Actually, I agree that the Z28 is the raw racer. The SS is more of a street car while the Z28 was always more of a track car. On the street, you tend to show off your audio system, nav screens, and leather-clad interior. On the other hand, the Z28 had more of a track appeal to it. That makes the Z28 a purebred racer. The SS shows off everything from power, though not to the extent of the Z28, to luxury. Either way, your Chevy is destined to beat the competition in every category. With a label like Z28 or SS, the Camaro can't be matched by anyone. Chevrolet will make sure of that.

[09'Z28]

not only that Blur but the Z28 doesn't have as much weight (not as many "showy" gadgets) so it puts the power to a better use

[radz28]

I agree with what you guys have said. Even though both cars put down very similar rear wheel power, the SS seemed to be more show (although at least every bit as capable as a Z28) and the Z28 was more plain-jane.

[rid2win]

NO BRAINER...SS...SSSSSUPER SSSSSSPORT...ENOUGH SAID

[nbjczk71]

Originally Posted by wildpaws

Actually, when the Z/28 first came out in '67, there was no Boss 302 yet (at least on the track). Ford was still running 289cid engines in the Trans Am Sedan Races. Other than that small detail I agree with your thoughts.
Clyde

You are right....I just worded that incorrectly.

[2010_5thgen]

Originally Posted by The_Blur

Actually, I agree that the Z28 is the raw racer. The SS is more of a street car while the Z28 was always more of a track car. On the street, you tend to show off your audio system, nav screens, and leather-clad interior. On the other hand, the Z28 had more of a track appeal to it. That makes the Z28 a purebred racer. The SS shows off everything from power, though not to the extent of the Z28, to luxury. Either way, your Chevy is destined to beat the competition in every category. With a label like Z28 or SS, the Camaro can't be matched by anyone. Chevrolet will make sure of that.

i never concidered the z28 as a raw racer i just considered it like a "poor mans camaro" you getthe v8 and you can opt out of different options like all the power. i never really thought it was a race car just a cheap version of the v8.
excuse my "poor man" terminology.

[wildpaws]

Originally Posted by 2010_5thgen

i never concidered the z28 as a raw racer i just considered it like a "poor mans camaro" you getthe v8 and you can opt out of different options like all the power. i never really thought it was a race car just a cheap version of the v8.
excuse my "poor man" terminology.

I can't speak to the 2nd-4th gen. Z/28s as I never owned one, but I did buy a '69 Z/28 new, it was far from "just a cheap version of the V8", in fact the SS and Z/28 were for the most part quite similar in price except for a totally loaded SS. All Camaros back then had 14" wheels except the Z/28 which had 15", but sat two inches lower than other Camaros. It only had two transmission options, close ratio 4 speed and heavy duty close ratio 4 speed, it was not available with auto tranny, nor in a convertible. 11 to 1 compression with 30/30 solid lifter cam for a factory 6500 RPM redline compared to 5500 RPM for most SS cars. Quick ratio steering, standard front disc brakes (4 wheel disc optional), special suspension, it was quite a handling/racer option compared to the mostly straight line performance of the SS cars. "Cheap version of a V8" indeed, perhaps you need to go back and look at Camaro history a little closer.
Clyde

[camarocrazy28]

How about an IROC-Z?!

[SilverTurtle]

Originally Posted by 2010_5thgen

i never concidered the z28 as a raw racer i just considered it like a "poor mans camaro" you getthe v8 and you can opt out of different options like all the power. i never really thought it was a race car just a cheap version of the v8.
excuse my "poor man" terminology.

sorry, mate, but that's not even close to the truth.

the Z28 was originally an option code and from '67-'69 it was as close as you could get to a race car that was street legal... there were no power options for a reason and the only options you had available on the car were ones to make it more race ready or less race ready.

during the second generation of the Camaro, the Z28 began to take on more of a look than of a performance reputation... they were still powerful, but by the time the '81 Z28 came into production, you could get any power option you wanted on the Z28.

during the 3rd gen's run, the Z28 was a sporatic nameplate... the IROC-Z cars were the powerhouses from '85-'91, when the IROC parted ways with the Camaro and the Z28 took over top billing on the roster once again... by that time, the IROC-Z was as much about luxury as it was about performance, and so the foundation for the 4th gen Z28 was set.

in the 4th gen Camaros, the Z28 once again took top billing at the start of the run, and continued to be the performance model until '96, when the SS was resurrected... the SS took over top performance and luxury duties, but there were still ALOT of Z28s out there that were faster than their SS brethren... cases of stock Z28s pulling 12.5s and 12.6s in the 1/4 mile are all over the place... an achievement that very few stock SS cars ever achieved.

[octane_n_veins]

Originally Posted by OverAnxious

Im not so sure about that.
in 69 you had two powerful 396 motors, L78 & L89 (311 made) not to mention the baddest of the bad, the COPO 427 cars

With Chevy's recent rebirth of the SS nameplate, I can see how SS would be the top performing Camaro, but we'll see.

Like TAG stated, plenty of speculation soo far

You are absolutly correct sir. Also Z28 is a lower package than the SS. And lets not for get than SS stands for "Super Sport."

[2010_5thgen]

Originally Posted by wildpaws

I can't speak to the 2nd-4th gen. Z/28s as I never owned one, but I did buy a '69 Z/28 new, it was far from "just a cheap version of the V8", in fact the SS and Z/28 were for the most part quite similar in price except for a totally loaded SS. All Camaros back then had 14" wheels except the Z/28 which had 15", but sat two inches lower than other Camaros. It only had two transmission options, close ratio 4 speed and heavy duty close ratio 4 speed, it was not available with auto tranny, nor in a convertible. 11 to 1 compression with 30/30 solid lifter cam for a factory 6500 RPM redline compared to 5500 RPM for most SS cars. Quick ratio steering, standard front disc brakes (4 wheel disc optional), special suspension, it was quite a handling/racer option compared to the mostly straight line performance of the SS cars. "Cheap version of a V8" indeed, perhaps you need to go back and look at Camaro history a little closer.
Clyde

i was speaking of the 4th gens not the other models. sorry for not clarifying. not that they were bad cars at all, it was just my opinion that they made ME feel as if they were a cheaper version of the v8.

[2010_5thgen]

Originally Posted by SilverTurtle

sorry, mate, but that's not even close to the truth.

the Z28 was originally an option code and from '67-'69 it was as close as you could get to a race car that was street legal... there were no power options for a reason and the only options you had available on the car were ones to make it more race ready or less race ready.

during the second generation of the Camaro, the Z28 began to take on more of a look than of a performance reputation... they were still powerful, but by the time the '81 Z28 came into production, you could get any power option you wanted on the Z28.

during the 3rd gen's run, the Z28 was a sporatic nameplate... the IROC-Z cars were the powerhouses from '85-'91, when the IROC parted ways with the Camaro and the Z28 took over top billing on the roster once again... by that time, the IROC-Z was as much about luxury as it was about performance, and so the foundation for the 4th gen Z28 was set.

in the 4th gen Camaros, the Z28 once again took top billing at the start of the run, and continued to be the performance model until '96, when the SS was resurrected... the SS took over top performance and luxury duties, but there were still ALOT of Z28s out there that were faster than their SS brethren... cases of stock Z28s pulling 12.5s and 12.6s in the 1/4 mile are all over the place... an achievement that very few stock SS cars ever achieved.

you dont need to explain to me about camaros, i know a thing or 2 buddy. and the things i am saying about the camaro is what ..I ... think about the z28. of course you have a different opinion,thats why you are conflicting with me. this is how i feel about them. im not making a case for all camaro owners, im making my case. thats how i feel about the 4th gen z. to me its a step down from the ss. you obviously have a different opinion and i dont hate you for that.

[GTAHVIT]

I am so confused.....

let me see if I understand the situation...

From generation to generation SS Z28 and RS have all meant different things? SS meant performance in first gen but not in 4th gen. and Z28 was the best performer in first gen but appearance in 3rd gen? In First Gen cars you could combine the RS with both the SS and Z28?


I could go on but my head hurts. Could one of the experts do a quick summary for me.

Gen1:
RS = appearance
SS= performance
Z28 = better performance
Combinations - RS/SS, RS/Z28

Gen2:
RS = ???
SS = ???
Z28 = ???
Combinations -

Gen3:
RS = ???
SS = ???
Z28 = ???
Combinations -

Gen4:
RS = ???
SS = ???
Z28 = ???
Combinations -

Thanks in advance. I'd really like to get a better understanding of this.