No CCC, the carb I have is a 17080206. Stock jetting in it, 72/51M jet rod DP secondary rods. It is dialed in and runs very well. Awesome fuel mileage.
According to the vacuum gauge chart the gauge responds as in the first scenario.
I'm thinking one of two cases could be possible here:
First, the Z28 muffler is more restrictive thus leaving more residual exhaust in the combustion chamber thus requiring more fuel to offset this condition.
Second, the Z28 muffler could be less restrictive and offers better scavenging of burnt gasses thus requiring less fuel.