Camaro SS Drag Race Development Program Previews Future Drag Race Packages/Parts
 

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Chevrolet has showcased a pair of cars from its Camaro SS Drag Race Development Program. Based on stock Camaro SS models, these cars represent Chevrolet's idea of the modifications an owner would make over a number of years to make their Camaros into 10-second drag machines.

Both cars wear parts that Chevrolet is considering offering in the future.

Those parts include:

• a cam-and-heads package
• Chevrolet Performance air induction and exhaust systems
• a torque converter with a 4,200 rpm stall speed (about 30 percent higher than the stock converter)
• Gen 6 Camaro ZL1 half-shafts and prop shaft
• Gen 5 ZL1 250mm, 3.73-geared rear-axle center section (nicknamed “Gravedigger”for its durability)
• smaller rear brake rotors that allow the use of 16-inch rear racing wheels and slicks.

The cars also received a different calibration for the 8-speed automatic transmission. The engine upgrades improve horsepower from 455 to about 530, and Chevrolet says it also used an unspecified "power adder" that increased horsepower to about 600.

Chevrolet engineers have made more than 100 quarter-mile runs with the development cars, posting a quarter-mile time as quick as 10.685 seconds at 125.73 mph, an eighth-mile time of 6.764 seconds at 100.85 mph, and a 60-foot time of 1.425 seconds.

Will any parts developed from this program be offered to the public? Mark Dickens, director, Performance Variants, Parts and Motorsports Engineering states the program is still under development, but Chevy may be looking to offer drag race packages in the future for the 6th gen Camaro.

Dickens says: "As we continue to develop the car, we’ll be listening intently to customers’ reactions to it and what they believe would help them the most on the drag strip. This is only the beginning."



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Sweet!


(First reply...I win!)

WOW 3D swirl color! :thumb:

Pretty cool.

I see how some of the upgrades are Gen 6 Camaro ZL1 half-shafts (axles) and the Gen 5 ZL1 rear-axle center section.

I was under the impression the eLSD center sections needed a shorter right side axle? If this is true how would Gen 6 ZL1 axles work with the Gen 5 ZL1 center section as that car didn't have the eLSD? I guess the Gen 6 eLSD doesn't have a shorter right side axle, or the Gen 5 center section required a shorter right side axle as well?

TAGGED!

I don't want the road course guys to get upset but it seems to me that this type of package should be a factory offering.

The 1LE is more car than most people will ever use and it will hit the showroom floor ready to race pretty much. Why no love for the drag racer other than a mostly unattainable COPO that is a lottery draw and not street legal? Strip some creature comforts out of a 1SS and price it similarly to the 1LE and let the 1/4 guys have some fun.

I'm a road course guy and I agree with you 100%!! The drag racing guys need more love from the factory!

Same here - road course guy, but I am empathetic to other enthusiast's needs. Beside, some times your guy's stuff trickles into our wants (but should be "needs"). Like the axles, for example.

Why build the model when you can sell 1SS and aftermarket parts to get there? I think this is an awesome program. Really I just want the cam and heads package to warrantied if bought through dealer. I am sure this will be 10K to do it though. THey did mention these may become packages though.

Pretty cool that they're doing this.

Yea, that's a wierd combination but not sure if the e-LSD makes any diff (LOL). The axles could be the same lenths. But only serious drag racers with BIG HP need the 5th gen ZL1 center section. That thing probalbly weighs at least 2X+ of the SS diff. I did put one in my 5th gen 1LE when I broke the standard SS diff. The big advanrages of the ZL1 diff are it's cheaper than the after market diffs and it's quieter. I could barely lift that boat anchor into my wifes Rav4. But man it's tough. Autos SSes will only need this if they are trying to go deep into the 9s and are going for that 1.45 60' is my guess. And as we know, very few bother to drag race the M6 who would need it sooner.

Good to see Chevy helping us out with the Mustangs.

530 from a heads, cam, intake and exhaust? That's a pretty impressive upgrade from GM parts.

This would be an excellent program. Just got my 2SS A8 to the track this past weekend and was VERY impressed with it bone stock and couple goodies and she'd be a screamer.

how about you come out with a cai first?