CAR WARS! Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 vs. Porsche 911 GT3 Track Battle — Understanding TWO VERY Different Cars

Once and a while you see some pretty awful head-to-head battles put together by the buff books. While they're completely nonsensical, I have to admit they're usually entertaining.

One such example of that is the following comparison between the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 and Porsche 911 (991) GT3. We're pretty sure no one in their right mind would cross shop these two; however, there's one cool thing about this video.

It gives us the chance to better understand how these two purpose-built track cars are different and how they are good/bad in their own unique way. To me, that's the beauty of driving cars — figuring out where and how they operate at their best.

When you look on paper, these two couldn't be further apart. The Z/28 is a front-engine V8 with power sent to the back. While it has a trick suspension, it's pretty basic.

The 991 GT3, on the other hand, features a six-cylinder powerplant with its engine behind the rear axle. Yes, it's in the "wrong place." Don't let the myth fool you though, it's arguably one of the best performers today and won NUMEROUS accolades last year as the top performance car to have. Equipped with what I believe is the sharpest dual-clutch on the market and four-wheel steering, it has a bag of tricks.

To learn more, check out the video below!


On this episode of Head 2 Head, Carlos Lago hosts a face-off between the Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 and Porsche 911 GT3. Both cars are bred for track performance and driver’s satisfaction, each packing high-revving, dry-sump engines, carbon ceramic brakes, and big wings. The huge price disparity makes this an odd pairing, but after considering each car’s hardcore focus on performance, we couldn’t resist the idea of getting them together. The Camaro makes more power, but the Porsche’s lighter. Which one’s faster? Find out of this episode of Head2Head.

MDarringer - 12/28/2014 11:00:26 AM

+4 Boost

Fascinating comparison. Result: Z28 gives 95% of the performance of the GT3 for about 50% of the cost which just illustrates that the Porsche needs all its electro-stabilization crap to perform. The better comparison would have been Z28 vs standard 911 to close the price gap. I predict the Z28 would obliterate a standard 911. Now factor in Chevy's superior reliability and my nod is to the Z28 over the UberSuperBeetle.

Terry989 - 12/28/2014 3:20:14 PM

+1 Boost

Love the Z28, awesome track car. For you Matt, no small wonder you lost you Porsche dealership - - - you never did understand what these cars are, the customer base or how to sell them. The Z28 has just as many electronic nannies as the GT3.

And you do realize that way back in 2008 Porsche redesigned the engine(40% fewer moving parts, more oilers, lower weight, lower center of gravity) and moved it further forward in the chassis? Of course not, that's why you are a better Hyundai salesmen. This all means a better balanced car out of the box. You SuperBeetle comments are getting old and tiring - - - -limited vocabulary?? Try: http://www.jocrf.org/resources/EffectiveWays.html

You always claim that Porsche has poor reliability, yet never provide a single piece of proof. We just have to look at GM's recalls to know you statement that Chevy's has better reliability than Porsche is a ludicrous statement.

Agent00R - 12/28/2014 10:09:51 PM

+1 Boost

I think what the major difference is how both of these cars achieve their levels of performance.

There's no question the 911 is the better pick for precision, balance and overall rewarding driving experience.

Now if you want a hoot and hollering good time, the Z/28 will more than happily address that.

MDarringer - 12/29/2014 9:34:55 AM

-1 Boost

@Terry989 you're obviously a fanboy and mozel tov to your love of Porsche.

I didn't "lose" the Porsche/Audi/VW share. I sold it. Moreover, I don't sell cars as in standing on the lot drawing a heavy sigh seeing no one else has arrived.

Reliability can be measured the warranty incidence rate (i.e. the number of times a car comes back in for warranty work) and Porsche come back often. It is not my job to put the evidence in front of you, but even if I did, a fanguy like you would dismiss it out of hand anyway.

I'm in many car circles and among the snootiest are Porsche fan-old-men.

@Agent00R the 911 should be better given it costs $100K more, but it is not $100K "more better" is the point. I'd predict the top Corvette would kill the GT3 also at a huge price advantage.

quizz - 12/30/2014 3:22:29 PM

+2 Boost

Oh come on! I can never understand the logic behind "buy a Corvette for half the cost". This logic means that NOBODY should ever buy a 911 because you have more power with a Corvette, Challenger, GT500, GTR, etc. Hell, why not buy a Miata and make it fly with a 300HP turbo boost?

You know full well that people WITH money buy Porsches, not because it's a great value or a good deal, but because (1) love porsches, (2) wonderful sports car, (3) gives them an identity. And #3 is HUGE; some people do not want to be known as a "Corvette guy" or a "Camaro guy" or "Dodge Hemi guy". Others want to be known as the "British sports car guy" or "Italian exotic guy", etc.

It's like telling people, "hey, you can get 95% of that polo shirt for 1/4 the price if you buy at Costco without the alligator", or better yet "you can get 95% of that 1 hour first class flight if you go business class for 1/3 the cost".

valhallakey - 12/29/2014 3:28:05 AM

+1 Boost

This was a fun comparo. Chevy really needs to get the next Gen Camaro right. Reduced weight, better/bigger greenhouse smaller motors, they should be able to get close to 500hp out of a naturally aspirated 5.0L (302 ci) engine. Even better would be to reserve the V8 for the SS and use the new turbo 6 (boosted to make 475+hp) for the Z/28. It might be interesting to do perform a similar test when the Shelby GT 350 comes out. This time do it more based on a price point, maybe a Cayman GTS and M4 three way comparison. In any case this one was fun to watch when the comments and such were aimed at the particular car, however when the comments were comparing one to the other I think most people who read autospies could have written them before watching this.

MDarringer - 12/29/2014 9:45:15 AM

+1 Boost

If reports are correct that the Camaro will leverage the ATS, some serious weight loss should happen given that the Camaro is really just a shortened Holden Commodore.

The Mustang is playing a shrewd game. The base V6 offers all the performance of the top-of-the line 05 GT. The 2.3T is very much aimed at the JDM tuner fanboys' market especially with the announcement of aftermarket performance parts that do not void the warranty. Then the GT for old-school guys.