I was just wondering what the differences were. I did a search, but I can't put "RS" in the search because it is only 2 letters. Is there an article or thread that anybody knows of that lists the differences?

If you don't know of one, but you know of some differences, please list them here.

Thanks all in advance.

 

i believe...and dont quote me on this..that the z28 was more of a performance orientated car and the RS was just flashy looks with the ground effects...a lot of RS cars came with V6 motors.....just a basic difference that ive noticed

 

The RS was the 'show' version... it was basically just for looks, and a V8 sound. I wasn't really built to go fast or take a hard corner. It was just basically a Z28 look-alike.

The Z28 was the 'go' version... It got all the good engines (ie. TPI), the better gears, better suspension, better brakes, etc.. compared to what the RS got.

 

The only performance RS was the B4C. It was Z28 stuff in an RS exterior.

 

I thought the Z28 had the RS exterior? I understand what you said, not sure why they did that for police interceptors. Why not just tag the damn thing a Z28? Insurance?

 

The only difference bwtween the exterior on the RS and the Z28 was the high rise spoiler and the grill. As far as why they didn't make the B4C a Z28, maybe is was a bling bling thing. I'm just guessing though.

 

As mentioned the RS was the base model and the Z was the performance RPO package for the camaro which included a more powerfull engine, better suspension and maybe a few more interior options. The RS could be had with a V8 but it did not have the same induction as the corvette (HUGE selling point here). The V8 optioned RS cars stopped when the 4th gens came out. That is why the RS is so appealing for a performance platform. Cheap to insure, same provisions to fit any small block, along with most of the same drivetrain parts.

 

Thanks for the replies guys, but I was looking more along the lines of specifics, for instance:

The Z28 came with this gear ratio X.XX and RS came with X.XX ...... or the 5 speed in the Z28 was better because .... or the suspension was different in this way....

I know the basics: RS's came in V6 and V8, but only the weaker V8, the TBI 305 and the Z28's came with the 305 and 350 TPI. The Z28 had the big Ferrari looking wing and the RS had the low profile looking spoiler.

Does anyone know the specifics?

 

You can search for spring rates and sway bar sizes to get that info. The RS came with 3 rear options. The TBI cars had either a 2.73 (auto) or a 3.08 (T5) rear. The V6 cars had a 3.42. There were so many options available between the few years of the RS and the 10 or so of the Z to explain them all. I will stop there. There is tons of info on the main page that tells the whole history of these cars.

 

Too late, you've been quoted.

 

I only really know more about the '88 + models.

All RS Camaros, if they had a V8 (except the B4C) got a 305. All '88 and later got the LO3. None got the LB9 nor the L98 (except the B4C).

BUT..... Not all Z28's got TPI. Some got the LO3 (as well as the Formula. Although I think the T/A only got TPI, as well as the GTA).

I do know (although some think otherwise), on the '91 & '92 RS Camaros (which were all either RS or Z28), IF they came with the 16" Z28 wheels from the factory and had the LO3, got the Z28 suspension. F & R sway bars, springs, etc. I found this out when I went to the dealer to get new rear springs for my '92 RS. They asked what size wheels???

But some of this stuff is too year specific to make an easy answer.

What year(s) were you specifically looking for info on?

 

I am looking specifically at a 1991 RS. I want to know the differences between RS and Z28 in the 91-92 era. I think that the Z28s came with disc brakes all around, did any RS's come with this? If not, how hard would it be to change?

 

I will tell you the big difference between the RS & Z28 for 91/92
were price.

RS-$12,075/12,180 base before any extra cost options.

Z28-$15,445/16,055 base before any extra cost options.

So the RS was the cheap plain jane car that you could load up with options for a big price. However; the major Z28 PERFORMANCE options could NOT be had on the RS.

So if you spend the money now on 12yr old RS all you are going to get is a CLONED car and it still will NOT be a Z28.

 

Wow, lots of misinformation here. You asked about the RS and Z28, so I will only tell you about the 88 up models since the RS wasn't widely available until then. The RS could be had with either a 2.8 V6 in 88-89 or a 3.1 V6 in 90-92. In 88-89 it was only offered with the base model suspension and wheels. In 90-92 you could opt for the v8 and "Z28" wheels, which would automatically include the "Z28" suspension, such as 34/21mm sway bars, etc. The 88-89 RS had 3.42 gears with the V6. The 88-89 V8 RS had 3.08 with the manual or 2.73 with the auto. In 90-92 the V6 cars had 3.42 with the manual and 3.23 with the auto. The V8 cars once again came with 3.08 for a manual or 2.73 for an auto. If you had a Z28 you had to have TPI period. The only RS with TPI was the B4C optioned police cars, which also had the 1LE suspension and brakes, as well as AC. So you could say the RS was the best model third gen ever available

 

You're right. I was thinking of the IROC.

 

What about the manual transmissions? Were there different 1st, 2nd, etc. ratios between the different models? Was the RS tranny made to be as strong as the Z28? Did any RS's have the 140 mph speedo?

 

The only RS with the 140mph speedo was the B4C. As far as the manual tranny, they were probably all the same to save money on manufacturing.

 

There were some differences in OD ratios over the years. Just do a search and you will find all the info you need.

 

I have heard that the stock transmission cannot handle much more power than the stock motors put out. What is a good upgrade, do any aftermarket transmissions bolt right up to the stock motor?

 

Just about anything made for a sbc will. It just depends on what your goal with the car is.