I agree, me thinks the SS is definitely a tad cooler (the black ones, anyway) . I shoulda got the SS but I was being cheap . Everyone knows the extra 4k is a bit of a rip, but I would do it.

Anyway, according to Scott Settlemire... :

GM's Official Explanation from Scott Settlemire of whether an SS is really a Z28/SS or not!

 

If I had a mic you could hear me clapping!!! Great find, clears up a lot, except the original question (which was answered in the few threads) was what is the difference. After that, we kind of veered off course just a little. You think?
Later
Ryan

 

man from what i read they put the new intake on and the cam was actually better than the origional because it beefed up and smoothed out the midrange considerably but the reason why the ratings weren't affected but a mere 5hp is because the california emissions then became standard on all camaros then which pretty much took away all the gain by doing this.

 

The LS6 intake and milder cam were introduced in model year '01, not '00. Intake alone slightly increases power, cam alone slightly decreases power. Bottom line, the two mostly cancel each other out, hence only a +5 hp rating difference.
With the milder cam, they were also able to eliminate the EGR system starting in model year '01.
A '98-'00 engine with the LS6 intake added would produce slightly more power than the '01-'02 stock engine, since it would still have a more agressive cam.

 

SS's r


i hope i get mine back today!!!!!!

 

yeah i ment to type in 01. not to start an argument with anyone but if you say that the new cam takes away from gaines produced by the intake than why does the 2002 camaro brochure say that "In 2001, the LS1 camshaft and intake were modified to fatten up the mid-range torque especially in the 2,000-5,000 rpm range." . so in all actuality the new cam and intake did only give it a meesly 5 peak horsepower but the mid range is were you feel and see the differance with the two.

 

The 00-02s got cast iron exhaust manifolds vs 98-99 with the stainless steel tubes. Which are better??? Why was the change made??? Gotta be a cost or reliability thing. Performance probably wasn't effected.

01-02s got slightly larger fuel injectors too. Can I assume this helped performance a tad?

 

Although it was touched upon, I'd like to mention the suspension components on the SS -- wheels and tires being a good portion of this.......there is a substantial difference in both ride and handling between the Z28 and SS. The Z28 is quite frankly, easier to live with as a daily driver here in Michigan with the roads we have to endure. The ride compliance is somewhat softer. Make no mistake...the Z28 will outhandle just about anything out there -- factory stock, that is.

I recall that we did some testing on the Z28 vs Mustang GT at one of our driving schools a couple of years back.....2000, as I recall.....and there was a sizable difference with the Z28 the clear consistent winner.....

....then we put the SS on the track......

even I was shocked at the difference between the Z and the SS....and the Mustang just kinda 'galloped' off the track red faced.........(figuratively speaking....)

In reality.....all 4th gen Camaros are Camaros.....coupes all have the same model number (1FP87) and all convertibles have the same model number (1FP67) The Z28 is, essentially, an option package.....RPO Z28. It is not a free-flow option....but rather a package.....and because of that, the window label spells it out as such. The SS (SS Performance and Appearance Package -- RPO WU8) is a package "on top of" the Z28 package. (confusing, no???) So, in reality, it COULD be said that all SSs are Z28s "and then some." But......we chose not to label the cars as Z28/SSs because historically, there never was such an animal -- and thus, we asked SLP not to label them as such.

Confused???? It is easy to get confused...but hopefully, my explanation gave you some insight.

 

the ss came with 3:42 gears z28 has 2:37 or 3:23

 

LET IT DIE!!!!!

and your wrong

the M6 had 3.42's in all there cars

the A4 had 2.73's and 3.23's in a option package for the Z and standard in the SS

 

The "new" cam they put in the 01 up LS1 is the same cam they use in the trucks. I wouldn't look for a performance benefit from that. GM did this for financial reasons. Cheaper to make 1 grind than several, plus 1 part # to mess with.

Also, just because there are larger injectors doesn't mean there is more power. Duration of injection and pressure come into consideration also.

 

I like this guy......hes got a point. If you want your car to look phat, get a z28. If you want your car to look phatter, get an ss.
as far as speed, theres not a noticeable difference.

 

Just a note on the gear issue. I don't know about previous years, BUT 02 had a 3.42 gear option for the A4.
Later
Ryan

P.S. GIVE IT A REST!!! We are all talking in circles. The Z28 is great and the SS is better, in its own ways. It depends on what you want the car for, how you drive, where you drive, when you drive, why you drive, and ummm.... Oh yea, who you drive--OOPS! If all else fails lets at least agree to disagree. HAHAHA

 

I'm not here to argue this whole Z28 vs SS thing because I could absolutely care-less. To me, all tha matters is if the owner is happy with what they "have."

But there is so much misinformation in this thread it's almost too ridiculous.

BTW, 2002's absolutely positively did NOT have any 3.42 gearing option for the A4s. The automatics ONLY came with either 2.73 or 3.23 gearing from the factory.

Mike

 

I have a blue 02 camaro z28 A4 with a 3.42 gear option code. Now maybe its just me but if I can get anyone else could get it also. It was a special order that happened to be sitting on the lot when I went looking. But I agree as long as who ever you are is happy with what ever you have, then fagetaboutit!