2012 COPO CAMARO CONCEPT

  • 2012 COPO CAMARO CONCEPT BACKGROUND
  • 2012 COPO CAMARO CONCEPT FEATURES
  • ENGINE STRATEGY
  • SEE IT IN ACTION
Since 1955, NHRA Stock Eliminator has been a straight-line proving ground for the wildest cars ever to come out of Detroit. High-performance Chevrolets have held a dominant position in this category, but none more so than the Central Office Production Order (COPO) 1969 427 Camaros. Among the most fearsome factory-built supercars of all time, the COPO 9561 and 9560 Camaros still hold national ET and mph records over 40 years later. For 2012, the engineers at Chevrolet Performance turned their attention to the latest Camaro, putting the finishing touches on a concept that was in development before the 2010 Camaro hit the streets of America. This passionate team of motorsports experts is now led by Jim Campbell, U.S. Vice President of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. And, after several months of strategy and development, the newly formed Chevrolet Performance team is ready to share their vision of what a fifth-generation Camaro Stock Eliminator should look like: the 2012 COPO Camaro Concept. It is potentially the quickest Camaro ever built by Chevrolet, designed to dominate the competition in a straight line.
To survive the rigors of the top classes in NHRA Stock Eliminator, the 2012 COPO Camaro Concept is equipped with several high-performance features. Here's a look at just some of the custom pieces that set this car apart:
  • Vehicle:
    2012 COPO Camaro Concept
  • Application:
    NHRA Stock Eliminator/Super Stock, off-highway use only, no VIN
  • Body:
    Production Camaro SS
  • Paint Color:
    COPO white
  • Hood:
    Custom high-rise, cowl induction
  • Engine:
    Proposed availability of two engine packages (see engine section)
  • Fuel System:
    Custom Aeromotive system with fuel cell and integral high-pressure fuel pump
  • Chassis Mods:
    Full, chrome moly roll cage certified by NHRA to 8.50 ET
  • Front Suspension:
    Coil over design with adjustable Strange Engineering struts
  • Rear Suspension:
    Custom design based on NHRA requirements with Strange adjustable shocks, panhard bar, anti-roll bar
  • Rear End:
    Strange Engineering S-9 unit with aluminum third member, 35-spline spool and 35-spline axles
  • Rear gearing:
    4.10:1
  • Transmission:
    Powerglide 2-speed automatic or 5-speed manual
  • Steering:
    Manual
  • Brakes:
    Manual, Strange Engineering, lightweight with Line Lock feature
  • Interior:
    Racing buckets, floor shifter, safety harness, Chevrolet Performance gauges by Autometer
  • Rims:
    Lightweight COPO rims
  • Tires:
    29x9 radial slick
The 2012 COPO Camaro concept features a supercharged 5.3 liter (327 cubic inches) LS/LSX engine; however, other engine packages are in development, including a naturally aspirated 7.0 liter (427 cubic inches) LS V8. All listed specifications are for the 2012 COPO Camaro Concept vehicle. Pending approval. actual production parts, specifications, shipping weights, and hp ratings may vary. Check with www.gmperformanceparts.com for up-to-date specifications and COPO Camaro program status. You can use this engine spec sheet as a guide to which NHRA class the COPO Camaro will compete in.

The specifications on each combination are as follows:
  • 427
    327/2.9
  • Cubic Inches:
    427 (7 liters)
    327 (5.3 liters)
  • HP Rating:
    TBD
    TBD
  • Induction:
    Naturally Aspirated
    Boosted
  • Block:
    LS7
    LSX (concept)
  • Block material:
    Aluminum
    Cast iron (concept)
  • Heads:
    LS7
    LS7
  • Camshaft Style:
    Hydraulic roller
    Hydraulic roller
  • Cam Duration:
    233°/276°@.050"
    244°/255°@.050"
  • Cam Lift:
    .630"
    .650"
  • Rockers:
    LS7 1.8:1
    LS7 1.8:1
  • Intake:
    TBD
    2.9L Whipple
  • Crank:
    Forged steel
    Forged steel
  • Rods:
    H-beam
    H-beam
  • Pistons:
    Forged dome
    Forged dome
  • Compression Ratio:
    13.5:1 (nominal)
    10.2:1 (nominal)
  • Suggested Class:
    A/Stock
    AA/Stock