getpower

In the past, as far as I know, the SS package on Camaros was always the top dog as far as power and such.

Now, for the 5th gen Camaro, they are saying that the Z28 (if it comes out) will be the high-output/high-horsepower/top-dog car.

What gives? I dont get it.

Can anyone explain to me why for the 5th generation cars that the Z28 is supposed to be the car to get over the SS?


BTW, does anyone have any recent news on the Z28's status as far as coming out? Has it been confirmed to be produced, or confirmed that it'll never be?

1FST-Z

iTrader: (6)

From my understanding:

Historically speaking, the Z28 has always been the road-car of the Camaro family. The SS has always been the "drag-car" of the family. Look at the past few years of "SS" badging. It's pretty much been over-stated as far as the liberal application of the badge is concerned. You have a Cobalt SS, and Impala SS, an HHR SS, etc. etc. Seems to me that they've decided on the next Camaro powerhouse to be a Z28, if anything, for the sake of going "against the grain" as far as their latest badging trends are concerned. I think it's a good move...

406 Q-ship

iTrader: (1)

In its original form the Z28 was just a homolagation for Trans Am series, nothing more nothing less. The SS and the Z28 were never above or bellow the other model, they were marketed to different demographics in the early days. With the 1970 model and the LT-1 with its 350 cid that gave it the torque the 302 engine lacked, this gave it an advantage for the average driver. The SS usually was a big block car, yes there were a crap load of SS350 but most only remember the SS396 Camaros. The SS350 could be equipped with everything the Z28 would have suspension and brake wise and would be a great handling car (a better car in stock form when the Z28 had the 302), but here is the rub, most SS were not ordered for handling. The Big Block Camaro is too damn nose heavy to turn into a corner, even the worshipped ZL1 COPO Camaro is a handling pig due to it huge nose weight, even the all aluminum engine could not fix that. The Z28 is the better balanced Camaro in its package form where the SS350 needed to be specificly ordered for the job of cornering but neither car was one up the list over its showroom sister.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

Plain and simple: Any Chevrolet can be a SS. Only a Camaro can be a Z28.

1FST-Z

iTrader: (6)

VERY nicely put! Well done

getpower

Actually, I like that answer a lot.

Im pretty sure a lot less questions have been answered so satisfactory.

Brakemotive

iTrader: (73)

I know the Z28 is supposedly not "dead" but I wouldn't hold my breath for a Z28 model coming out.

rayhawk

I think a Z28 is inevitable, if nothing other than as a way to boost sales in 2-3 years. It may not be the GT500 fighter people seem to expect, but I think the name alone (along with some performance enhancements) will help sales and therefore is likely to happen. We'll see.

oshia86

To me the Z28 badge has always meant more than the SS. I never owned an F-body but seeing SS on everything has kinda killed the name for me. The Z though, look at the cars that they slap a "Z" on (ZR1, Z06, Z28). Those cars deserve it. It just kinda makes sense to me to do it that way these days.

Dark SS

iTrader: (6)

I would think a Z28 would fit in better with top dog vette's, the Z06 and ZR1. It's coming, GM has invested too much money into the project to just let it die. Sales and interest in the Camaro is at an all time high. With the vert coming next year, a new transformers movie in 2012 and a Z28 the year after they can keep the buzz going. My guess is once the fed is paid back the Z will rise again.

NW-99SS

iTrader: (6)

I agree with the posts here. The SS moniker has been put to shame with its over-badging of GM cars lately. I remember when they brought the SS name back to the Camaro in 1996....ever since that day I wanted one, and eventually bought my 1999 SS. Even then, you could only purchase a Camaro SS or a used Impala SS.

The trend has definitely reversed. Call it a bad marketing call or a good one, but the Z name plates are now where it is at. So it does make more sense to have the best performing Camaro a Z28. It makes me a bit sad to see the nameplate on my car so destroyed though. SS used to be a trademark for Chevy performance cars. Back in the 60's, they badged all the cars with SS as well...except it seemed to mean a lot more. Novas, Impalas, Camaros, Chevelles....all could be had as an SS. Oh well, maybe it's just history repeating itself...soon you won't find an SS on any car, and in ten more years everyone will want one again...?

Brakemotive

iTrader: (73)

I agree, given the nostalgia and recognition of the Z28 name it would be stupid as hell to not capitalize on it. I just don't foresee it being offered soon. I'm on the fence about buying a new Camaro, I would love to have one while they're still the new hot thing. But history has proven that those who wait are usually rewarded with better motor/driveline combos. Decisions, decisions...

1986irocz28

iTrader: (5)

hell yea well put

406 Q-ship

iTrader: (1)

There will be a Z28 again, to much hertiage to waste. I doubt it will be a fire breathing monster with a LS7 (never would happen anyway), an LS9 (another not a snowballs chance in hell), or a LSA (this one has the best bet). There will be a tuned suspension with a bump in HP/TQ for a better all around package. If GM were smart they would do a light weight Camaro (try for 3600 to 3700) a slightly stiffer suspension and a 25 HP 30 lb/ft bump and the GT500 would be seeing taillights on the road courses, that is the Z28 done correctly.

Of course the Z28 can only be a Camaro, just like a Z16 can only be found on a Chevelle, Z24 on a Cavalier, Z34 on a Lumina/Monte Carlo FWD POS.

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

Just don't forget about the "Z" craze in the 90's. Z24 Cavalier, Z26 Beretta, Z34 Lumina... The only Z car left after 2002 was the Z06 as the Z34 died in 94, Z26 in 96, and Z24/Z28 both in 02. These were more uninspiring than anything that has wore a SS badge (even the 4th gen Z28 was no more exciting externally than a V6 Camaro - a shame).

The last SS from the 80's was the 88 Monte Carlo SS - the only G-body in 88 as the rest of GM went to the W in 88. In 1990, the C1500 454 SS came out. 1994 brought us the S10 SS and Impala SS. Thankfully, in 1996 SLP helped Chevrolet reintroduce the most important SS since the 1964 Impala - the Camaro SS.

Sorry for my babbling history lesson.

phirepower

iTrader: (2)

It has a lot to do with the corvette insignias
Z 06
Z R1
Z 71
Zora Duntov

Z 28

My opinion at least

NW-99SS

iTrader: (6)

I agree Demonspeed, with the Z craze...same idea I was trying to portray with not as much history

Xsta Z 28

iTrader: (2)

ZR2 Pick Up Truck and Blazers . . .

Z71 Pick Up Truck, now includes HD's . . .

Z41 Avalanche . . .

The "Z" moniker and the "SS" have been used over and over and over.

People need to get off their "SS" high horse . . . My Dad had a 1966 Impala SS, 283 V8 with 195 H and had WHEEL COVERS . . . "SS" is an "Appearance" package . . . which fortunately has more power . . .

But very well said "All Z28's are Camaros, a SS can be anything . . . "

demonspeed

iTrader: (7)

At one time, you could have said "Only a Firebird can be a Firehawk..." let's hope the Z28 doesn't return as something else

98sickspeedblkta

All engine take.oil