Just as I titled this thread, I need a question answered as accurate as possible because google is not being a good friend to me.

So my buddy is looking to see if either he buys a 1998 Camaro Z28 or SS. The price is different but also is the performance. WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN WHAT CAME IN PACKAGE?? I know both are LS1 but why is it that the SS is faster?? I just drove a Z and it felt just as slow as my car! But the same year SS feels like night vs day....

Some sites say that the difference is that the SS came with different hood, gear ratios, air lid, wheels.... Please just let me know why the SS is faster than the Z.

Thanks to all the 4th gen guys and don't kill me if this has already been asked!

 

Placebo. They are exactly the same in terms of power and performance. The as has better shocks which may have tricked your butt dyno

 

The SS has got either a 3.23(auto) or a 3.42(manual) rear axle ratio. The Z28 got either a 2.73(auto) or a 3.23(manual) axle ratio. This I believe is the main reason as to why the SS is faster. Also the PCM in the SS different compared to the Z28, according to Massey.

 

I know its kinda apples to oranges but I raced a buddys ws6 when I was stock and we were dead even. Also the quartermile record was set w a z

 

Maybe a diff tune but I don't think they used a physically different pcm

 

The performance of both trims are too similar to compare IMO. That was just my explanation as to why the SS would be faster. My Z28 has got a 2.73 rear and the SS does seem faster to me when I drove an SS with a 3.42 rear. Yeah, this is what I meant. Massey said that the fuel mapping was different in the SS.

 

Cool. Got everything right except the possible PCM. I probably got him convinced in buying a 4th gen. Thanks guys!!

 

The Z28 was rated at 315 hp factory and the SS was rated at 325-335 iirc. Also, the SS looks way cooler.

 

the ratings were crap. my TA made 305rwhp factory.

 

T/A = SS = WS6 = Z28. there's NO difference.