im kinda young and im jus getting into this hotrod stuff. i hate imports... any ways i own a formula firebird and a looking to step it up a notch. i wanna buy a 2001 model car. i was wondering whats the difference between a ss and a Z28. iheard the engines are lil different. so can anyone elp me out?

 

Actualy, there is no substantial difference in the engines. The SS comes with a "ram air" cold air induction hood --a hood scoop that really works (there are underhood channels that route the air to the engine) and an upgraded catback exhaust, and as a result is rated at 20 more HP. The SS also came from the factory with 17" instead of 16" wheels and fatter tires if I recall, and a few other goodies, I think a power steering fluid cooler, etc.

In actuality the SS typically makes only about 10 more RWHP than the Z28. Both the Z28 and the SS are a bit underrated by the factory. Based on many dyno tests I've seen the M6 Z28 has about 325 HP rating from the factory and the SS about 337 (compared to the C5 vette 350).

Whether you want to spring for whatever extra (if any) an SS costs over a Z is up to you. When I bought (new) I got the Z28 and spent the difference upgrading straight to 18" wheels and a full exhaust instead. Something to think about is that the SS's ram air is not as good as aftermarket ram air kits: the scoop gathers up the air and then turns it around and intochannels that run just under the hood and route it forward and then turns it around again to go into the air filter/intake for the engine. All that turning around, and the fact that the under-hood channels are right on top of the engine and thus heating the incoming air, means less power compared to the very best aftermarket ram-air hoods or the Firebird's WS6 hood.

 

there is no difference at all expect for looks

you could get the dual/dual exhaust as an SLP option, and a few other things

the scoop makes more drag than it does horsepower

by the way, do a search this has been covered before

 

[blockquote]
Just to say the SS came with a 320-horsepower version of the LS1 V8,
forced-air induction hood, low-restriction exhaust, performance axle,
power steering cooler and speed rated p275/40zr-17 Gyr Eagle F1 tires
with lightweight aluminum wheels and a high-level rear spoiler. For me I bought brand new soifI bought a Z-28 then added on the extras with
SLP stuff if something went wrong that would void my warranty. Anyway
the SS is the cream of the crop of Camaro's get the best one![/blockquote]

 

^^^^^^THE SS HAS NO MORE POWER THAN A Z/28!!!!!!!!!!!!^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ END OF STORY. It was marketing BS to justify the increased sticker price. STOP sreading false info on this site. THANK YOU!

 

Correct, it was the same motor in both cars. The SS had an upgraded catback anyone could buy for a few hundred $ that added a bit of RWHP, that was all, and those 17" wheels, and a different spoiler, etc. It wasn't illegal for GM to claim the SS had 320 HP because both the Z28 and the SS had that much: no law against advertising less HP than a car's peak HP.