Yeah, because by 1970 the 454 was the top engine, and they never got around to putting it in the SS. But in 1969, the top SS did a faster 1/4.

The 1970 SS still had a 10.5:1 CR, did it not?

 

this always made me wonder.

(this is not a personal attack on you just running some numbers around)

the GT500 is about 4000 lbs or so and makes 500 rwhp. MM&FF got it to run an 11.95 @ 120. great time.

they got an LS1 f-body to run a 12.8 @ 110, right? I cant remember the exact ET and mph. either way this is a 3500 lb car with 300 rwhp.

the GT500 weighs 500 lbs more and makes 150 more rwhp. shouldn't it be significantly faster?

they also got a 3650 lb cobra to run a 12.6 @ ~113 (also going by memory, correct me if Im wrong, please.)

I know theres that "100 lbs is one tenth and 10 hp is one tenth" so by that theory it comes close but thats not always accurate.


eh either way I cant afford either car so I really shouldnt be debating it.

edit:
pretty much best times ive seen for certain cars:

GT500: 4000 lb / 500 rwhp = 8lb/hp = 11.95 @ 120
LS1: 3500 lb / 300 rwhp = 11.7lb/hp = 12.8 @ 110
cobra: 3650 lb / 370 rwhp = 9.9lb/hp = 12.6 @ 113
'10 SS: 3900 lb / 370 rwhp = 10.5lb/hp = 12.9 @ 111
C6 Z06: 3200 lb / 440 rwhp = 7.3lb/hp = 11.5 @ 127
C5 Z06: 3150 lb / 360 rwhp = 8.8lb/hp = 12.0 @ 116

well maybe it isnt that far off.

 

WOOHOO that is why I waited and did not bite the bullet for a new SS. I have no payments and will be ready for this pup when it is released! However I guess I will have to wait a year after it comes out because I am NOT going to pay markup!

 

None of those three are just appearance packages. All three had engine upgrades. The Malibu had the 3.9, which wasn't available in any other trim (same as the G6 GTP) the Cobalt had the 2.4 rather than the base model's 2.2 (like the G5 GT) and had suspension upgrades. The Equinox was never released as an SS. They changed its designation to "Sport" before it was released, but like the others it had an engine upgrade - the 3.6 HF versus its normal Chinese HV and it also had a unique suspension tune.

Were they worthy of the SS name? I don't think so. The Cobalt later became "Sport" and should have been that way to begin with. The Malibu probably should never have existed.

But my real problem with them is that in many cases these "SS" models only lived up to the performance of competitor's "normal" cars. Malibu SS was slower than a Fusion V6. IMO, that's why they weren't deserving to be SS models rather than the fact that they were "appearance packages."

This discussion brings up an interesting thought in my mind, though. No one ever seemed to complain too much that the same models that weren't "worthy" of the SS name ended up as GT, GTP, and GXP models at Pontiac. Torrent ended up being a GXP even when Equinox went to "Sport." And the top G6 GXP only got the 3.6 that was the standard V6 in the Malibu. That really illustrates the Pontiac problem when their performance models weren't even worthy of being Chevy SS models...

 

Handling - yes. Straight line - no. The SS 396 375 horse destroyed Z28s at the dragstrip. It's not even debatable.

As far as your "top dog" comment, seems like the Camaro Chief Engineer would disagree with that:

Al Oppenheiser:
(Super Chevy Magazine, October 2009)

 

Not only is it debatable, it has been debated over and over. At least you admit that the 1st gen Z/28 would outhandle those nose heavy, understeering pig, big block cars.

 

***cough*** Old Reliable ***cough***

While, I'm sure he's a great guy and a sharp engineer; Al Oppenheiser is not an expert on Camaro history.

Show me something where Scott Settlemire says which is "top dog" and then I'll believe the credibility.

 

Oh I'm sorry. I didn't know low 15 second cars destroyed high 13 second cars in the quarter mile.

But I'm sure you'll tell me a story about how your Uncle Fred was there in the 60s and he had a '69 Z/28 and he beat the snot out of everyone of his buddies who had a '69 SS who didn't know how to drive.

 

Well, not all Z/28's were 13 second cars and not all SS's were 15 second cars, (although most of them were).

But in all seriousness, the only Camaro SS which could even compete with a Z/28 in a straight line was the 375 horse version,(which as you know was pretty rare). And unless a Z/28 was specifically optioned for drag racing, (ie., 4.56 or 4.88 gears), the L78 Camaro generally did have an edge in that very specific contest, especially compared to 90% of the other milktoast powered Camaro SS's. Turn the steering wheel though, and that car was a complete disaster.

If that's your claim to fame, you can have it, but it doesn't impress me much.

 

Fixed for ya.

If your claim to fame is a muscle car that is a decent handler, then more power to you. If I wanted to road race I'd get a Miata or a Lotus.

When it comes to muscle cars, drag racing is where it's at. I'll take the big block every day of the week and won't even think twice about it.

But to each his own.

 

Yeah I'm sure he has no idea what he's talking about.

Average Joe Internet Enthusiast > Camaro Chief Engineer

I've never heard Scott say the Z28 was top dog. I've never heard him say the SS was top dog either. He has spoken respectfully about each - something I can't say for a lot of the "Z28 Is King" crew.

 

If I were only interested in drag racing, I'd get a 454 and not a puny 396.

 

Sad but true...

 

Try high 11's smart guy.

http://www.z28camaro.com/oldrel.html

 

Id love to know what the COPO ZL1's that hit 10's stock would do against a car like that on the street track. Ive read that the 427 big block aluminum wasnt that much heavier than the small block. Yeah I know there were only 69 of them and they never officially were a model but neither was Old Reliable