Chevrolet COPO Camaro with 10,4-Liter-Big-Block-V8

For more than 50 years, Chevrolet has been offering drag racing ready cars from the factory. It all started in 1969 with the first COPO (Head Office Production Order) Camaro, which has long been a legend. The car, which was built only 69 times, was immediately a winning car, which of course was mainly due to its motor power. With its seven-liter ZL1 V8, it usually made opponents look bigger in the quarter mile.

Seven liter displacement? Maybe beginners can play with this, as they recently told themselves in the customer sports department at Chevrolet. And they came up with the brilliant idea of ​​offering the COPO Camaro with a big-block engine again for the 2023 season. And how big it is! The eight V-shaped combustion chambers have a displacement of no less than 632 cubic inches. Or for better understanding in the metric system: 10,357 cubic centimeters. In words: Thirteen thousand three hundred and fifty seven!

10.4 instead of 9.4 liters of displacement

The new 10.4 liter naturally aspirated engine with the internal designation ZZ632 V8 is the successor to the 572 cubic inch engine, which had a ridiculous 9.4 liters. It produces 1,018 hp and delivers a maximum torque of 1,190 Newton meters. These are minor improvements compared to its smaller one-liter 572 counterpart, which has 1,003 hp and a maximum torque of 1,188 Newton meters when fed with 93-octane gasoline. The 2023 engine also sends its power to the rear wheels through a TH400 three-speed automatic transmission. from ATI Racing Products.

Chevrolet builds the ZZ632 V8 engine largely from cast iron and installs a forged steel crankshaft. This material is also used for connecting rods, while pistons are made of aluminum alloy. The compression ratio is 12.0:1. The recommended maximum speed is 7,000 rpm. in.

Also available with tamer engines

Base price for the street-legal COPO Camaro with the ZZ632 V8 engine has yet to be determined. The previous one cost 105,500 dollars (currently equivalent to around 100,000 euros). The inheritance tax will probably be higher, with the required tax and all license, registration and transfer fees added. A carbon fiber hood as well as wheel arches and a roll cage are already included in the base price. For extra money, Chevrolet can also install things like extra weight in the trunk or a parachute for guests.

Anyone who thinks the big-block version is too brutal — engine-wise — can also opt for the more gentlemanly COPO Camaro in the 2023 model year. The basic model – like the original COPO – has a seven-liter V8 engine that produces 477 hp. On top of this is a 588 hp 5.7-liter V8, which is charged by a supercharger. Unlike previous years, Chevrolet will not reduce production of its COPO Camaros for the upcoming model year. Because the production capacity is still limited, the manufacturer makes orders according to the motto: “First come, first hurry.” Once you receive the confirmation, you will first have to pay a deposit of $15,000 (around 14,600 euros).