What are the differences between the two? I know that ss are manual and Z28s are usually auto.

 

Not all SS cars were a manual. All SS cars were converted by SLP with appearance, supension and engine work and most of all they cost more then a standard Z28.

 

The Z28 and SS designations have no relation to whether the car is manual or auto.

When buying any car, there is always a base model. Then, there are packages (options) that can be purchased that spice the car up a little bit. Eg, you can get a Chevy S10 base model that has crappy wheels and no trim, or you can get an LS that is trimmed out a little better and that has alloy wheels. OR, you could get a Chevy S10 xtreme, which is an appearance package - which brings me to my next explanation.

There are usually packages that focus more on appearance, and there are those that focus more on performance. The Z28 and SS packages on Camaros are performance packages for the most part - they don't really alter the looks of the car significantly, but they add a lot to horsepower. A 4th generation (1993-2002) base model Camaro has a V6 engine and plastic wheel covers. A 4th generation Z28 has a V8 engine, alloy wheels, power windows and locks, and Z28 badges. An SS has a V8 engine, better suspension, ram air induction, a different spoiler I think, alloy wheels, upgraded exhaust I think, power windows and locks, and SS badges (it can be either manual or auto).

There are actually three packages that you can get a fourth gen camaro with: (Base model; no options), RS (Rally Sport), Z28, and SS (Super Sport - this is the highest "rank"). RS, on 4th generation camaros, is an appearance package. It adds ground effects to V6 camaros, and there are probably some other options that come with it, also - like power windows and locks.

I keep specifying 4th generation camaros in my explanation, because I assume that's what your asking about and the SS package can mean something totally different to a camaro than what it means to an SS impala. There are a lot of chevy's with the SS package that don't really have any significant power increases - SS is sometimes more of an appearance package than a performance package. The definition of RS, Z28, and SS also vary among the different generations of camaros.

In the case of Camaros, Z28 and SS are always considered more of a contribution to power than they are to appearance. RS has usually only contributed to appearance. To complicate things further: The older camaros could be purchased with a combination of the different packages. You could buy an RS/SS camaro. This meant that it had all the performance upgrades done to the power train (SS), as well as appearance additions, like a front spoiler and rally stripes. There were also RS/Z28s. I think there were other combinations.

 

thanks for the responce i understand now

 

Depends on what year your talking about. The 67-69 Z/28's were only 4sp cars and SS could be either. And you could get a RS/SS Z/28 back when it all started.

 

^^^^^ +1

the confusion is usually related to 4th gens. the SS is going to be somewhat more collectible some time down the road.... possibly, but i wouldnt let that make or break a sale for me personally.

the SS has as stated above a ram air hood, different spoiler, upgraded SLP suspension package (i cant remember who makes it), and it may come with a different catback, people mention this but i do not know this personally.

all in all it is a collecter/appearance package, should be appreciated for its somewhat rarity but not considered to be a performance package over the z28. the additions give minimal hp gains.

 

well the suspension deal, how much of a difference is that?

 

cornering ability - slight to moderate, they are stiffer andhigher quality, but not as good as about anything u would want to buy for aftermarket
drag racing - essentially none

 

ok well i dont really need to be taking corners fast anyway. Plus I want to bore it out to a 383 and make it fast in the strait aways

 

oh, i thought u were just asking, not that u had one. the info i posted is more specific to ls1 cars. if u have a 95 i am not sure what the package all included but it is very similar. i believe they just had a different intake setup (tray system similar to ls1's) so the SS is a little more powerful than the z28, but it still isnt that much