staledog

I've searched around on here, but haven't figured it out yet, and I'm just curious..if comparing two 2002 Camaros (Z28 vs. SS), what gives the SS the extra 15 HP?

I think the Z28 has 310 HP and I guess the SS's have 325, but I've seen different sources on here quote different numbers for the SS, anywhere from 325 to 345 I think.

So...

Is it just that the SS had the lid and more free flowing exaust, and that's where the extra 15 ponies come from? Or were there other mods to give it more power as well? Different engine internals at all?

I'm not talking about the rear gears either, I know the SS's had different gears than some of the Z28's.

Like I said, I'm just curious, and haven't found this info anywhere else yet.

RPM WS6

iTrader: (3)

This info is all over the site if you do a search.

In the end, there is no power difference between a 305hp ('98-'00)-310hp ('01-'02) Z28 and a *base* 320hp ('98-'00)-325hp ('01-'02) SS. In reality, they are underrated and all make 345-350 crank hp, as proven by countless dyno tests.

The only SSs that actually make more power than a comparable year Z28 are ones with additional SLP options, such as the Blackwing lid and dual/dual exhaust (those are the ones you see with the factory 335-345hp rating).

Most SSs have the exact same air lid as a base Z28 (Blackwing wasn't a common option and was only offered in the final years). And the dual/dual exhaust wasn't overly common either, with most SSs getting the base system.

As for gears, all M6 SSs and Z28s came with the exact same gears (3.42s). As for the auto trans, Z28s came with 2.73s or 3.23s, and the SS received a mandatory 3.23 option. But overall, no SS came with any more aggressive of a gear than a Z28 could be optioned with.

Understand that, minus any additional SLP options, the SS package offered basically nothing in the way of a performance increase over a Z28. Handling was somewhat improved with the 17x9" wheels and bigger front sway bar, but that's about it. Acceleration and horsepower was the same.