So, the biggest difference between them is a small difference...the intake! A "conspiracy theory", with GM playing with the numbers? That's a huge difference to be claiming. You also mention exhaust as a possible factor. That could be quite true on the car, but not for how it's rated. Net advertised h.p. ratings are measured at the crank, using a standardized exhaust. Advertised h.p. ratings aren't based on car-specific exhaust systems.
And what about the LT1? I've heard claims of number fudging between the Vette and Camaro there too. I have a 92 LT1 Vette, rated at 300 h.p. When the LT1 came out in the Camaro the following year it was rated at 275. Yeah, the Vette has a better intake plenum, but can that be the only difference? (just a secondary thought, I haven't compared build specs on the two LT1's)

 

The LT1's were the same as well, the main difference there is most of the Corvette LT1's were a 4 bolt main. Some F-bodies got the 4 bolts when they were running out of 2 bolts at the factory late 94 to early 95 (I believe that was the time period).
On both the LT1 and the LS1 all the hardware is the same aside from some minor camshaft differences (as CBR pointed out). If you can find me a decent source that says the Corvettes really did get different motors I'll look into it, but the numbers the F-bodies put down don't lie.

 

My one question on the LT1 is, were the numbers on paper padded up on the Vette, or held down on the Camaro? When the LT1 came out in the Vette, there was no such animal as the LT1 Camaro for buyers to compete against.

 

Thats a good question and one we would all like to know. When the LS1 came out in the vette in 97 GM knew or at least had a good idea that they would be planting it in the F-body the next year. So here would be the question would it be smart for GM to rate the F-body the same as the Vette? Would GM loss some of its flag ship car sales one of its own cars that cost a considerable amount less? Numbers dont lie. A LS1 F-body will dyno very very close to what a LS1 Vette will from the same year frame. If the vette was rated so much higher then the F-body and has a better intake and exhaust system (just look at pictures of the two systems) I would expect the vette to lay down 30 horses or more then the F-body on the dyno if that was true.

I would expect the LT1 cars may have been in the same boat. Just because the LT1 F-body came a little bit latter then the LT1 Vette doesn't mean GM didn't have it planed already.

At the end of the LS1 vette engine and LS1 F-body engine are interchangeable from the two vehicle's with no visual or performance differences. With the only real difference being very slight and offering no advance for the F-body or the Vette. Both the LT1 and LS1 are great engine both of which where cutting edge when they hit the streets and are still huge competitors years after they where put into production.

 

On a side note since that day the Viper has gone 12.6 as a new personal best. We have yet to get the full potential out of the TA are here current best is 11.4 pulling timing bad due to IAT's in 3rd gear.

 

From a sales standpoint, I don't understand why GM would feel they would have had to fudge the numbers on either. Let's see, should I buy that Vette for $40k or the Camaro for $25k? Decisions, decisions.

 

because if people want a performace car, and see that the fbody and vette are the same power they buy the cheaper. But heck, its not cause GM say its 40 more bhp so ill strech my wallet to buy the fast one!