In the United States, manufacturers such as Dodge or Chevrolet sell “loose” engines. Called “crate engines”, referring to the fact that they are shipped in wooden boxes, they are commonly used for drag racing. One of those engines is the well-known ZZ632. An atmospheric block of eight cylinders, 10.4 liter displacement and 1,004 CV of power. An absolute motor salvage. And the news is that now you can go to a brand dealer, and buy a Chevrolet Camaro with that engine. As you hear it.
The car in question is not just any Chevrolet Camaro, as you will understand. Is he Chevrolet COPO Camaro, and it is a car that you will not be able to drive on the streets. It does not have a frame number and is not registerable. It is a drag racing car, built to exact order, and with a price that starts at 135,900 euros for their big-block versions. These cars are certified by the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) and can compete in official drag events in the United States.
Its engine is an evolution of the V8 of “only” 9.4 liters that Chevrolet offered so far in the COPO Camaro.
The Chevrolet COPO Camaro is offered with various engines. the versions basic they have motors 7.0 V8 with 470 horsepowerbut small-block versions of 5.7 liters and a V8 scheme supercharged by a compressor are also sold, with powers of 580 CV. The 10.4 liter big-block version is the big news. This engine has its internal components forged and its block is machined from a gigantic solid hunk of aluminum. It has two valves per cylinder and electronic injection, and curiously, it runs on 93 octane gasoline.
This high-performance titan is ideal for drag racing, which is what the COPO Camaro was designed for. All these Camaros, hand-built by Chevrolet PerformanceThey have a 9-inch diameter rear differential and a three-speed torque converter automatic transmission – reinforced and adapted to the demands of drag racing. They also have a parachute, two batteries and a carbon fiber box for their air filter. As standard, it comes equipped with huge race-spec rear slicks.
Its engines are forged, components such as the block or camshafts are machined in detail, and all its manifolds are the same length.
Outwardly they’re almost identical to the four-cylinder Camaro anyone could buy, though they can be decorated with graphics or painted in a color called Vivid Orange. If you get a production slot assigned to you, you will have to pay an advance of $15,000 to have them start manufacturing it. All its technical details are available here.
