Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Chevrolet Announces Supercharged Super Stock Engine for COPO Camaro Concept

ORLANDO, Fla. – Chevrolet announced a new supercharged engine possibility for the COPO Camaro concept that is designed for NHRA Super Stock competition. The 5.3L engine uses a 4.0-liter twin-screw supercharger atop a Chevrolet Performance LSX racing engine block to produce the power necessary for competitive performance in the hotly contested class – where elapsed times are in the 9-second range or quicker.

The new Super Stock engine is the third developed by Chevrolet Performance for the COPO Camaro concept, which is the centerpiece of Chevrolet Performance’s display at the PRI motorsports trade show in Orlando, Fla., Dec. 1-3. And while only a concept, Chevrolet Performance is evaluating the prospect of homologating the COPO Camaro – and its prototype engines – for Stock Eliminator and Super Stock racing.

“As we continue to refine our COPO Camaro concept, we are exploring all avenues to make it competitive and Super Stock is the logical next step,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “The three-engine strategy would allow us to offer competition-ready powertrains across the board for Stock Eliminator and Super Stock.”

While the Super Stock engine is not on display at the PRI show, Chevrolet has finalized the specifications for it. The other engines developed for the program include a naturally aspirated 427 engine (7.0L) – the same displacement as the original COPO Camaros from 1969 – and another supercharged 327 (5.3L) engine, but with a smaller-displacement 2.9L twin-screw supercharger. The chart below outlines the core specifications of each engine and their intended classes.

 

 

427

327/2.9

327/4.0

Suggested class

A Stock

AA Stock

A Super Stock

Cubic inches

427 (7.0L)

327 (5.3L)

327 (5.3L)

Block

LS7

LS9

LSX

Block material

Aluminum

Aluminum

Cast iron

Bore x Stroke (in.)

4.125 x 4.100

4.065 x 3.150

4.065 x 3.150

Crank

Forged steel

Forged steel

Forged steel

Rods

H-beam

H-beam

H-beam

Pistons

Forged dome

Forged dome

Forged dome

Compression ratio

13.5:1

10.2:1

10.2:1

Heads

LS7

LS7

LS7

Induction

natural

boosted

boosted

Intake

Holley 2.9L

Whipple 4.0L

Whipple

Camshaft type

Hydraulic roller

Hydraulic roller

Hydraulic roller

Cam duration (deg.)

233/276 @ 50

244/255 @ 50

244/255 @ 50

Cam lift (in.)

.595

.650

.650

 

The COPO Camaro concept on display at the PRI show is powered by a prototype version of the supercharged 327 engine, featuring an LSX cylinder block.

And along with the three-engine strategy, the COPO Camaro concept is engineered with provisions for a two-speed Powerglide automatic transmission, a three-speed automatic or a five-speed manual.

Inside the COPO Camaro Concept

Among the many racing-specific features and equipment found throughout the COPO Camaro concept is a conversion from the Camaro’s standard independent rear axle to a solid axle, as well as a full chrome moly roll cage.

Additional content includes:

The interior is all business, with most sound deadening and power accessories deleted. Instead, there is pair of racing bucket seats (and no rear seat), a safety harness for the driver, a competition floor shifter and Chevrolet Performance gauges by Auto Meter.

Racing enthusiasts who are interested in more information can go to www.gmperformanceparts.com to sign up for COPO Camaro concept updates.

 

Courtesy of Chevrolet Motors

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