The Z28 was added in the first year of the Camaro ('67, but I think you at least knew that) in order to homoligate the 'maro for Trans Am racing. Accorind to TA rules a certain number of a given vehicle w/ the engine/trans package to be run in the racing series must be sold as street vehicles for the car to be eligable. At the time the Trans Am displacement limit was 5.0L so GM basically put a 283 crank in a 350 block to create a legal 302 cui motor. W/ the 4.0" bore and 3.0" stroke it was a high reving motor, perfect for the road courses of the Trans Am series, though not rated as the highest HP motor (for insurance purposes) in the Camaro lineup the Z28 (which by the way was just the Regular Production Order or RPO code used for the model… they decided to keep it as the vehicle’s name) was the top of the line (excluding Central Office Production Order or COPO cars such as the 427 Yenko Super Camaros from down in Cannonsberg PA) and featured upgraded suspensions as well.
The DZ302 carried through the end of the 1st Generation run ('69). I believe the displacement limit for Trans Am was then raised or lifted, as the '70 Z28 got a 350, but was still technically the top of the line Camaro. The Z28 name went away and came back a bit… but whenever available it was the top of the performance line… untill '96 when the SS moniker returned but only as an addition to a Z28. So only in the 4th Gen. is the SS the top of the line model.
It kicks ass that the car companies are coming out with some badass cars now. Think about the mid-late 90’s. Only thing that had some real power was the Viper. I’ll bet no one would have ever though that there would be stock 4cyl cars that would be able to whup on mid 90’s cobras/Camaros/Vettes.
it was only a matter of time to be honest. With the crash test standards going easier, and the emissions testing.
With the Sport Compact popularity booming. etc etc. It had to happen. Car companies knew they couldnt market a muscle car to the average teenager either, like they could back in the 60’s and 70’s.
But to be honest, turbocharging a smaller displacement engine is something the Japanese etc have not thought up of first. the mid 80’s Turbo Buicks imo is what started the craze. At least over here.
