[hoser795]

Anyone familiar with the Z-28 Can Am pacakge? It was a cross ram intake with 2 4-barrel carbs, high compression angle plug heads, factory headers and a chambered exhaust.
Only about 220 cars were sold with this very rare option package that wasnt listed in any of the official documentation, and was technically sold as a dealer installed option package from the parts counter.
Modern day dyno tests of Z/28s show the "base" ones to make around 375-400hp and the Can-Am equiped cars make about 460hp. Smokey Yunick supposedly created 6 expirimental Z's with hemi-style heads and some other goodies that were putting out over 500hp from the DZ302 motor.
In short, I think a Z would totally smoke a Boss 302.
The cars also had Muncie M-21 transmissions, "The Rock Crusher," with square cut gears and such, built for racing, and hard shifts. In fact, these transmissions were so tough, using clutch was more or less optional.
I also happen to know someone who owned a Can-Am equipped 69 Z and said the Boss was no competition. They said that the car was so powerful you could run it up to 8,000rpm in first (and you were doing almost 50mph) and yank it back into second, and the car would jump almost a full lane sideway from the toruqe if you werent careful.
I honestly cant verify this story (I wasnt even alive in 1969) but its from someone I trust.
I think the real downfall of the Z was the fact that it was a small displacement, high-revving motor in a time when people only understood cubes and low-end torque. Its funny now how my generation is building all these 4 cylinder screamers. I guess the DZ302 was just a motor 30 years ahead of its time. Imagine what could be done now a-days to a 302 with deep-breating 4 valve heads, fuel injection, and all those other goodies? Think a 9000rpm 240hp Honda 2 liter in the S2000 is impressive? Imagine a 9000rpm 600hp Chevy 5 liter. I wish someone would bring back the real Z....