originally posted by fbodfather on ls1.com
Got this question asked on another board and figured that because the question comes up with regularity, I'd post it here, too.......... (moderators...you may want to move this to other forums.......)

The question: How does a B4C differ from a Z28?


Since 1998, the only real parts difference, overall is the rear trailing arms.
The packaging is different. From 1998 thru 2000, the B4C came with a Power Steering Cooler, whereas the Z28 offered the cooler as an option....however, the cooler was made standard on all V8s in 2001/ 2002.....
From 1998 thru 2000, the B4C included Eagle RS-A Tires..which meant the car was not speed limited to 110 (or thereabouts) as a standard Z28 with the standard Eagle GA tires. (Z28s with RS-A tires or GSCs were speed limited to 162mph as I recall.)

From 1998 thru 2002, the B4C had power windows, locks, mirrors, and driver's seat in the package along with, I believe, fog lamps cruise control, and a power hatch release. (this forces a heavier wiring harness in the body of the car.......) The B4C also came with the vinyl steering wheel and brake release handle unless you specifically ordered the leather wrapped wheel ('98/'99) or the "Duplicate Radio Controls" (00, 01, 02) which got you the leather wrapped wheel and brake release. The B4C also deleted the Z28 emblems and furthermore forced a body colored roof panel, rather than the black roof panel that Z28s came with. CC1 removable roof panels were not available. The 6-speed transmission WAS available. However, from Start of Production in the '98 model year, thru the end of January 2002, the B4C could only be ordered 'Fleet' and that required a 6-digit fleet code to do so. Starting in February of 2002, the B4C was opened up (quietly) to retail orders for a good reason: We told (thru our fleet operations) all B4C users that fleet orders would not be accepted after February 1 due to build out and the large number of sold orders. Naturally, we started getting calls from dealers/police departments wanting to "order one more car......."

No larger battery, no larger alternator, no special transmission or engine or brakes......

oh....a few other things....I believe we made the Monsoon system standard on the Z28 in 1998. (memory is fading...it's late.....) The B4C, on the other hand, got the standard radio ...but could be upgraded to the Monsoon as a free flow option.... and remote keyless entry, while in the upgrade package on the Z28 was a free flow option on the B4C. AND......depending on the number of orders, we would two-tone cars with B4C....required, as I recall, a 90 day lead time and line drawings would have to be submitted.....and the colors had to be existing RPO colors........paint lines would be established by body panels. Most usually had doors and hood the secondary color with the rest of the panels the primary color. There was a charge for this, and thus, most departments desiring special paint would do it locally once they received the cars.


Hope that clears up the mystery...............

Scott S.