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Difference between Z28 and SS 2001-2

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Old 04-03-2009, 09:38 PM
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Default Difference between Z28 and SS 2001-2

I am thinking of buying a 2001-2 camaro. Can someone tell me the differences between the two other than the hood, wheels, and badging? It is especially hard to tell with all the modded cars out there.
Old 04-04-2009, 01:00 PM
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The SS is 325hp, has a slightly bigger exhaust, hood badges,SS wing..and alot more $$ to buy one...lol
Old 04-04-2009, 02:33 PM
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nothing that makes a difference, other than appearance stuff, wheels/hood/spoiler etc etc buy the best deal you can find
Old 04-04-2009, 04:56 PM
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From the official sticky:

SS Performance Package - includes 325-hp 5.7L LS1 V8 with forced air induction system, unique hood air intake, low restriction exhaust system, synthetic engine oil, P275/40ZR17 Goodyear Eagle F1 performance tires (maximum speed rating), 17" x 9" wheels, specially-tuned performance suspension with larger front stabilizer bar, stiffer springs, unique shock valving and stiffer bushings, specific exterior and interior "SS" badging and unique rear deck-lid spoiler
If you are wondering if any of the cars you're looking at are "real" SS's check for the WU8 RPO code in the drivers door. If you also have the Y2Y code check your passengers door for a sticker that lists your additional options.

The additional SLP options available were SS floor mats, SS dash plaque, SS key fobs, SS portfolio, Auburn posi unit, SS grille, SS car cover and the 345 hp package or any combination of them, not necessarily all of them.


For the difference between years see this:
Difference between years
Old 04-04-2009, 06:38 PM
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Great response waldershrek.
Old 04-04-2009, 07:29 PM
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Thanks

The one thing I hate is all the mis-information that's out there about the options and abilities of these cars. I try to keep the record straight for the new guys. I remember what it was like trying to find out about my car
Old 04-04-2009, 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by blown03mustang
nothing that makes a difference, other than appearance stuff, wheels/hood/spoiler etc etc buy the best deal you can find
^is why you never ask a z28 guy about an ss...

They forget to tell you about the suspension mods. Mine came with a code called FE4. I've heard of people calling it the Z06 suspension package for camaros(I wouldn't say all that), but it does make it handle better. As far as I know mine came with a 32mm front sway bar which the z28s did not come with. Other than that I am not 100% sure about the springs. Some SSs got better shocks and some did not. All got exhaust upgrades, some got cme, or dual dual. Otherwise its just collectability and appearance. Most were rated at 325hp(gm cat-back), some were rated 335hp(slp catback), and some were rated 345hp(slp intake and catback)
Old 04-04-2009, 08:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 7camaro7
^is why you never ask a z28 guy about an ss...

They forget to tell you about the suspension mods. Mine came with a code called FE4. I've heard of people calling it the Z06 suspension package for camaros(I wouldn't say all that), but it does make it handle better. As far as I know mine came with a 32mm front sway bar which the z28s did not come with. Other than that I am not 100% sure about the springs. Some SSs got better shocks and some did not. All got exhaust upgrades, some got cme, or dual dual. Otherwise its just collectability and appearance. Most were rated at 325hp(gm cat-back), some were rated 335hp(slp catback), and some were rated 345hp(slp intake and catback)
Yes you have bigger sway bars than the Z's and RS's.

FE4 - RIDE & HANDLING SUSPENSION SYSTEM

Now what exactly the FE4 code puts on your car depends on your year:
1998-2002 Camaro SS and WS6 Trans-Am/Formula came with FE4 suspension. The kicker is 1998-early 2000 models differ greatly from the late 2000-2002 models.

For 1998-early 2000 FE4 it included 1LE springs front and rear, the 1993-1995 1LE deCarbon shocks (1LE rear shocks are the same diameter as the front shocks and are slightly stiffer, I have not figured out if the fronts really differ from regular deCarbons), 1LE rear lower control arms, 1LE pan hard bar, 1LE 32mm front sway-bar and 17x9 wheels with 275/40-17 tires. I am not sure if any of the front suspension received any other 1LE parts other than the front sway bar.

For late 2000-2002 the only differences between FE2 and FE4 are very minor. The only difference is the 1LE 32mm front sway bar and the 17x9 wheels with 275/40-17 tires. Also of note is the fact that GM stiffened up the deCarbons for a firmer ride in 2001 untill the end of production in 2002.
Old 04-04-2009, 08:52 PM
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Obvious differences are appearance. They are all 350hp ls1's if that is what you are getting at. I know the ss's have a better suspension and I believe bigger brakes. But the motor is the same. Unless you get an slp ss, then you could have a bit more power, like stated above. I vote for an 01-02 ss.
Old 04-04-2009, 08:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Swift_01_z-28
Obvious differences are appearance. They are all 350hp ls1's if that is what you are getting at. I know the ss's have a better suspension and I believe bigger brakes. But the motor is the same. Unless you get an slp ss, then you could have a bit more power, like stated above. I vote for an 01-02 ss.
Negative......see the info I posted above. Brakes are not mentioned anywhere in the SS package standard or optional.
Old 04-04-2009, 09:12 PM
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Originally Posted by waldershrek
Negative......see the info I posted above. Brakes are not mentioned anywhere in the SS package standard or optional.
That's why I said I believe they do. I wasn't sure but I guess I am now.
Old 04-04-2009, 09:31 PM
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So unless you are looking at collectability a Z28 can be modified easily past an SS.
Old 04-04-2009, 09:55 PM
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Unless you just have to have an ss, a z28 is the same thing for all intents and purposes if you are going to use it for straight line accel. You could use the extra money it would cost for the ss to mod a z28. Just something to think about.
Old 04-05-2009, 12:13 AM
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1LE for 2001-2002 was done by slp. The front sway bar for those cars was 35mm with a 21mm rear. Not 32mm. That's the stock gm SS sway bar.

the other years 1LE was 32mm
Old 04-05-2009, 06:27 PM
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Originally Posted by Swift_01_z-28
Obvious differences are appearance. They are all 350hp ls1's if that is what you are getting at. I know the ss's have a better suspension and I believe bigger brakes. But the motor is the same. Unless you get an slp ss, then you could have a bit more power, like stated above. I vote for an 01-02 ss.
No such thing as an SLP SS as anything different than an SS. All SS's went to SLP (even if just to have the hood and spoiler put on)

Some SS's did get SLP options (floor mats, key fobs, shocks, rims, etc.,). As listed on your passenger side door.
Old 04-05-2009, 07:02 PM
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What about the ones that had the CME? I thought that was an slp option. And slp didn't have a 3.73 gear option? I have no idea, but a buddy of mine swares he has 3.73s from slp and that it was an option. I meant that unless you get one with slp options than they are the same.
Old 04-06-2009, 12:04 PM
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mine came with cme
Old 04-06-2009, 04:43 PM
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The CME was an option you could order. You can purchase gears from SLP in 3.73 but they were strictly an aftermarket mod and not an SLP option from the factory. The only rear differential option available was an Auburn posi unit and AAM differential cover, there was no change in gears. What gear ratio your car came with was determined whether by whether you have either a A4 or M6
Old 04-06-2009, 06:33 PM
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The Blackwing lid and CME were the 345hp option package on the 02 SS's.
Old 04-08-2009, 11:34 PM
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Originally Posted by Swift_01_z-28
Unless you just have to have an ss, a z28 is the same thing for all intents and purposes if you are going to use it for straight line accel. You could use the extra money it would cost for the ss to mod a z28. Just something to think about.
which is basically what i was getting at. i mean floormats and stuff doesnt change the car. engine, trans., rear, etc etc are identical, other than some suspension stuff. but essentially they are exactly the same.


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