The 1970 Chevrolet Camaro Z28 ditched the screaming, race-homologated 302 V8 that defined its first two years for something radically different: a torquier, street-tuned LT-1 350. Some fans call it the best Z28 Chevrolet ever built; others say it lost the racing soul that made the nameplate special in the first place. Decades later, original owners are still driving these cars daily, and the argument over which engine, and which era, got it right hasn’t cooled off one bit. Watch to see the case for 1970.
Every generation of muscle car fans has a favorite Z28, and every generation is convinced theirs was the last real one. The 1970 model split Camaro loyalists down the middle the moment it arrived, ditching a formula that had barely been on sale for three years. Under the hood sat an engine nobody was quite prepared for, and on the outside, a body style so different from its predecessor that some buyers didn’t recognize it as a Z28 at all. Fifty-some years later, the argument still hasn’t been settled, and this video is determined to finally answer it: was 1970 the year Chevrolet actually nailed it, or the year it walked away from something better?
A Different Kind of Z28
The 1970 Camaro Z28 arrived carrying a very different weapon than the two model years before it. Where the 1967-1969 Z28 relied on a high-revving 302 cubic inch V8 built specifically to skirt SCCA Trans-Am displacement rules, the 1970 car swapped in the LT-1, a 350 cubic inch V8 that traded some of that engine’s screaming top end for genuinely useable power across the whole rev range. As the video lays out, this wasn’t a minor running change — it was Chevrolet rethinking what the Z28 was supposed to be, from a homologation special built to chase a racing rulebook to a street car built to be driven hard on a Tuesday. That shift alone is enough to start arguments at any Camaro show.
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The Split-Bumper Body That Divided Owners
The 1970 Z28 also introduced the second-generation Camaro’s now-famous split-bumper front end, a design so radically different from the 1967-1969 cars that comment sections under videos like this one still light up with owners taking sides decades later. Some call it the best-looking Camaro Chevrolet ever produced; others still pine for the simpler, boxier face of the first-generation car. What nobody disputes is that the longer hood, wider stance, and more European-influenced proportions gave the 1970 Z28 a completely different presence on the road — one that leaned into GT-car looks rather than the straight-edged muscle car styling that came before it. Viewers describe it as looking carved out of a solid block of steel, a compliment the original Z28 rarely earned.
Trading Trans-Am Homologation for a Street Engine
To understand why the LT-1 mattered, you have to remember what the original Z28 package was actually for. Chevrolet built the 1967-1969 Z28 specifically to qualify for SCCA Trans-Am racing, which capped engine displacement at 305 cubic inches. That rule forced Chevrolet’s engineers to build a high-revving, small-bore 302 that made its best power near the redline and felt gutless below 3,000 rpm on the street. By 1970, Trans-Am homologation rules had shifted, and Chevrolet was free to build the Z28 as a proper street performer rather than a race-rulebook workaround. The result was an engine tuned for the way people actually drove their cars, not the way a sanctioning body forced them to.
What Made the LT-1 Different
The LT-1 350 wasn’t just bigger than the outgoing 302 — it was a fundamentally different kind of high-performance small-block. Chevrolet rated it at 360 gross horsepower, and unlike the peaky 302, the LT-1 pulled hard from just off idle all the way to redline. That broader powerband meant a 1970 Z28 didn’t need to be wound to the moon to feel fast, a real advantage on the street where most driving happens well below 6,000 rpm. Owners in the comments still talk about running 4.10 gears and tangling with rivals at stoplights, memories that speak to just how usable this engine was compared to the car it replaced.
The Rivalry With the 302
Ask ten Camaro enthusiasts which Z28 engine was better and you’ll get ten different answers, which is exactly the tension this video plays into. Purists argue the 302’s Trans-Am pedigree and its willingness to rev to 7,000 rpm make it the more authentic performance engine, a genuine race motor detuned just enough for the street. Others argue that’s precisely the problem — an engine built for a rulebook rather than a driver. The LT-1 crowd points to real-world drivability, a documented history of strong quarter-mile times in period road tests, and a nameplate, LT-1, that would go on to power Corvettes for years afterward. That cross-pollination with Chevrolet’s flagship sports car only adds to the LT-1’s credibility among longtime GM people.
A Generation of Owners Who Never Let Go
What comes through clearly in the video’s reception is how many original or long-term owners are still out there. One commenter describes buying his 1970 Z28 in 1991 for $2,500, delivered on a trailer and in boxes, and still owning the fully restored car today. Another has kept the same one for 41 years. These aren’t garage queens bought at auction for investment — they’re cars people fell for as teenagers and simply never let go of, which says something about how the LT-1-powered Z28 aged compared to a car built purely to win a rules fight.
Where the 1970 Z28 Sits Among Muscle Car Rivals
Positioned against its 1970 rivals — the Boss 302 Mustang, the AAR ‘Cuda, the Trans Am — the Z28’s case for greatness gets stronger. While Ford and Plymouth were still building Trans-Am specials with race-bred, rev-happy small-blocks, Chevrolet had already pivoted to a torquier, more street-friendly formula without giving up horsepower on paper. That made the 1970 Z28 arguably the most complete daily-driver muscle car in its class that year, capable of running with dedicated race-homologation cars on a straight road while being noticeably easier to live with in traffic.
Why the Debate Still Matters Today
None of this settles the argument the video’s title poses, and that’s exactly the point. Whether the 1970 Z28 is the best Z28 ever built depends on whether you value a race-bred screamer or a genuinely usable street engine more — a debate that’s kept Camaro forums arguing for decades and shows no sign of stopping. What’s clear is that the 1970 car represents the moment the Z28 stopped being a homologation afterthought and became a legitimate performance car in its own right, one with enough die-hard owners still driving them daily to prove the formula worked.
Catch the full video above and leave your thoughts below.
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1969
Dream car one of them
Liked the 1969 DMZ 302 better!
68 or 69 Z is much nicer. But a true car Buff means any American Muscle is Beautiful
Awesome
Yes
The ultimate would be a 69 body with a 70 powertrain
Nope. ‘Twas 1969 that was the best I say!
My favorite year
Love the split bumbers….
RS!!!!!!!!!!!
69
Nice car, but the 69 is by far the best Z/28 ever built!
Then you have never driven both if you think the 69 is better.
How are you going to tell me what I’ve driven?!
69 looks a little better but 70 was a mean machine
The 74 was killer !
Hell no
I like the 69 better because i like the first gen better, but the 70 has a bigger motor and more hp….. a 360 horse 350 and the handling is superior to the 69.
The 302 was rated at 290 hp, for insurance purposes but it was actually more around 375 hp. It was a stroker motor and it could redline the tach at 7-8000 rpm. It was a blast to drive !
Also forgot to mention the 69 Z won 11-12 Trans am races out of 14 in the 69 season. With a cross ram manifold the 302 put out 550-600 hp
It smoked every other manufacturer.
The 69 also had the big block option SS 396
That is so very true
I think chevy needs to make another lightweight, stripped down camaro with a 302, as a throw back to the z28 with the dz302.
Funny part is, the Pontiac Trans Am never won a Trans Am race. I think they had 301’s, or 303 V8’s in them. The race cars anyhow.
I like the original Camaro Z/28. A 1967. With a 302 V8, & only 602 produced. What nice cars. Plus vent windows. 👊
William Lumley ,the ’69 DZ 302’s that were running the G.M.Crossram were dynoed @ 452 horses @ the flywheel,not 550-600 horsepower.And that rating was only after those track engines had the G.M.2nd Design Off Road Cam installed along w/other modifications such as a dry sump oil system.B.T.W;that 2nd Design Off Road Cam was the wildest cam G.M.ever used on any of those Z’s.
William Lumley ,also the 302’s were not “stroker motors”.They were actually destroked 327’s.327 block w/a 283 forged steel crank.
When did Chevy make a 440? Never
Alex Blackburn the copo hot wheels has 302 option
70
Yup
69 best
Uh, no. 1969 is the ultimate Z/28.
Terrible color
Actually Should be 701/2. 69 body went into 1/2 of 1970
The LT 1 and the suspension. I like the looks of the 69
No, that platitude would be reserved for a 1969 Baldwin Motion Camaro 427 / 425.
I kinda like this 69, had it 11 years now!
Nice drive way
wouldnt happen to be looking for a best friend are you
69 is
Nope, 69-302; but second for sure!
My favorite, 69
I had a silver 69. The 70 would be my next choice
its a z28 with a RS (Z22 code option) option
Probably the fastest of era.
No 68 or 69 are the best
69 RS/SS 396
Nah! ’69 was the best.
This was my favorite but I liked them all up to 1973 !!!
I like both the ‘69, & ‘70 spilt bumper, Z28’s. Both were beasts, with awesome body styles!
Pete kalmens guess you didn’t notice they said z28 Baldwin never made a z28 that was Chevy
67,68, and 69 were only true Z 28’s with dz302
Yes love the big grill
Yep Yep
69 Z28 was the best by far.
69 is the best. Always will be.
A huge improvement over the 69.
70 Firebirds better.
Ugly in my book. Like the ’69 the best.
Battleship gray is not a good color
I love that year
69 Z/28
69 for me
Interesting to listen to, but dry.
I know that in 1970, I had a 440 4 barrel rated at 375 hp. And a 3:55 rear end which was slow for the quarter mile, but would peg out the 150 mph speedometer.
I race a 70 1/2 Z 28 at IRP only to get trounced.
Sometime in 1970,the N.H.R.A.tested 2 bone stock 1970 1/2 Z28 Camaro’s.They discovered the Z28’s 360 horsepower rating from Chevy was very conservative(due to insurance).The actual horse power was 425 for the 1970 &1/2 LT-1.That was with the factory exhaust manifolds and entire factory dual exhaust.
My Dad had the first one in Anchorage ALASKA. It was Blue, would love to find it!
All Z28 are awesome I love the 70 but nothing will ever compare to the styling and beauty of a 1969
The best is the 1967 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28. The original.
Rarest Z/28’s around too.
JamesandMisty Warren
Sorry but my thoughts it was 1969 that was best…
This and the 1st generation Camaros are the only good looking ones.
69 dz 302 car was best z28
“69” is a much better looking car!
Yes like the body style
Steve D’Amico
Hell yeah
Nice car but the ‘69 Z-28 was the best in my experience. But the Split Bumpers are coming on strong.
yes it was
Best Z/28 I prefer the 67 and 68 but most people prefer the 69!
69 Z28
70/72 Z28 and SS cars are some if the hottest cars on the market now. Add the Rally Sport option and you have a nice investment right now Love my 71 Z
I had a 74, I thought it looked better, they “handled” the same..
My sister had 69 Firebird 350 HO Auto w/ 3:55 rear My brother in law raced and beat his friend 4 times against his 70 1/2 Z/28 4-speed 4:11 rear !
isnt that a sports car?
No but are nice second generation cars it’s hard to top the 69 RS SS package. I have the second generation 77 1/2 Z28 bought new not most popular but the first time I could afford a new car.
Actually, the original Z28 was an engine designation for a cross ram 302 ci version of the SBC built for TranAm. I like the original 67 best.
Hate that body style!!!!
68
Probably
The 69 Z WAS THE BADDEST Z OF ALL TIME !!!
’73 Camaro…The best i ever have at that time
I Had One.
That was mine..
69. My fav
I bought a 71 Z-28 brand new. Had it built a little…maybe 500 hp. Funnest car I ever owned.
Marc Alan Selewski
70 1/2 has always been my favorite even though I have oowned a couple of dozen Camaros and Firebirds over the past 40 years.
I had a ‘69 Z, but my friend had a’70 same color as the photo, that ran like a raped ape. Wasn’t even close.
Sweet favorite. Year love the split bumper
Best car I ever owned. I prefer a 1peace bumper over the spilt bumper..
I owned both 1969 Z 28 and also 1970 1/2 Z 28. But I have to say that the 1970 Camaro drove much nicer than the 69. both nice cars but I prefer the look of the 1970 1/2 Z 28 with a full bumper.
Z/28 302 Trans Am capable was much High Revving fun…
It’s a 70-1/2 to be specific.