Does the actual SS with 345HP actually perform better than a regular Z28 with 310 HP but with the addition of a comparable exhaust and an airlid? It looks like stock for stock (SS 345hp vs Z28 310 hp)...... lets do the math..... 30hp....... old school says .3 in the quarter......... is this actually the case.....??? that a 345 HP SS will beat a regular 310 HP Z by .3?

Most of everything I read supports little if any performance advantage of going SS. Most people like the way they look and like telling other people..... " It's an SS"

If you can't already tell...... I'm on the fence...... once I get my money together..... I'm going to buy something..... not sure if it will be late Z or ante up a little more for the SS and convince my wife that the SS has a better resale value

 

From what I remember reading there was really a minimal difference in terms of times with an SS and the Z28. But put in perspective, GMHTP or Super Chevy magazine had a pro driver test the '02 SS and he pulled out a 12.98 1/4 mile bone stock. My SS did a 13.25 1/4 mile best and dynoed 321hp & 336lb-ft. bone stock, with the 345hp package, as well. I've always wanted to own an SS so I guess that I'm part of that percentage, too. If it doesn't matter to you at all, go for a 6 speed Z28 (hardtop would be nice! ) and mod it the way you like. The cost difference will be to your advantage. Mind you, too, that the 345hp package was only available late in the 2002 model year.

 

So what does that make me? My stock 2001 Z28 ran a 12.96 in the 1/4

Eh, sorry to troll like that. 98-00 there may have been a good enough difference to go SS (mainly suspension) but 2001 and 2002, the only difference is the spoiler, hood, and badges. And more money obviously. Go with the Z28 I say. At least when you say "I got a Z28" they will KNOW you've got a Camaro rather than "I got an SS" and they could think you have one of many vehicles

 

Right on, Strahley! I like the Camaro SS very much but Chevy put the SS on just about everything at one time or another. I think that was a real mistake. It has made the SS designation by itself much less meaningful

Joe

 

You forgot the wheels and tires. Also SS antiroll bars are different and there was an optional blisten package for handling. Also many some things were standard on ss models like the performance axle if you are getting an auto. Now that i think about you also forgot that they have better exhaust. But to get back to the question i would think that there would be a pretty good advantage for the ss with 345 hp package because it gets a lid and much better exhaust. A z28 with a good catback and lid should be equal with it in a stait line but the ss will still take it in the corners

 

There is no difference in the engines rated at 305 or 345. SLP simply added a lid and installed their dual dual cat back. If you add a lid and a decent catback system to the 305 hp rated car it will be "equal" to the 345 hp rated engine. Also, a lid and catback will not add 40 hp to a car. That number was just Chevy trying to sell more cars by playing the rating game. In the real world, with the same mods, there is no performance difference between a Z28 and a SS.

 

i do agree that they throw the ss name around way to much. I cant beleive they now are going to have the COBALT SS(with a 4 cylinder engine). First the ss was only on v8 models, then it leaked down to v6 models like the new impala,now it is even on 4 cylider models. Further down the road they will probably have an SS hybrid with 93hp. when will the madness end!

 

Best I've heard on a stock LS1 Camaro was that article. If that's your time, that's a freak! Ever check to see if you have the Z06 block? Just curious to know the mileage on your Z when it did that, too. My 13.25 came just around 6000 miles so she hasn't even broken in yet.

Hey, I agree with you other guys that the best bang for the buck is a Z28 if all you want is to mod it out and enjoy it that way. I bought my '96 to do that. I've only planned to do minimal stuff to my SS.

 

Most LS1 cars will start putting down better times after about 15k miles

My stock 01 WS6 has a best time of 12.98 @ 107 (2.0)on street tires. By the way it is an auto

 

go with the Z28. the SS is more expensive.

 

let me know when you want to buy.. I have a beautiful 99 SS for sale, only 12.5k miles... its a beauty...

 

The SS name is definately thrown around too much. Gm ran it in the ground. Also around here there is not much difference in the price of a ss and z28. If they were the case I would definately get the SS.

 

The SS name is definately thrown around too much. Gm ran it in the ground. Also around here there is not much difference in the price of a ss and z28. If they were the case I would definately get the SS.

 

The SS is more of an apperance package...The ram air wont show up on a dyno/paper, and a higher flowing exhaust isnt a big power mod hence why most ss's dyno same as z's...Put it this way, taken same year/gear/option cars on average will run the same regardless of SS or base Z..ofcourse now all cars perform differantly