Buy or Make Chevrolet Camaro COPO

Posted by at 31 January 2014, at 20 : 21 PM

Buy or Make Chevrolet Camaro COPO

COPO Camaro program from Chevrolet Performance exists since three years now and features again limited number of cars that will be produced during 2014.

These cars are mostly racing cars, with a couple of surprises when it comes to the engines. Of those cars devoted to Super Stock and NHRA Stock Eliminator competitions, only 69 items will be produced with changes on front and back fascias and with a new 2014 Camaro styling.

If You Have Money, Purchase Chevrolet Camaro COPO and If You Don’t, Make Your Own

Chevrolet Camaro COPO 350 muscle car

The first car which will be produced will be sold at auction at Barrett-Jackson in Scottsdale, Ariz in January. The car will be painted in Ice Blue Metallic, and profit will be directed to Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans. This charity organization helps veterans to get used to their new lifestyle and even compete in marathons.

It is interesting to notice that COPO Camaro are race cars that are hand-crafted at the facilities devoted to street cars as well. Racing cars are built in factory of GM Oshawa, Ontario and share white body (19243374 part number) with them. Many COPO parts can be purchased from Chevrolet Performance leading to production of customized cars. Production vehicles have roll cage compliant with NHRA, equipment for safety reasons, chassis and suspension for racing cars and system for rear axle.

COPO Camaro can be obtained with four different engines: naturally aspirated 396, 350 and 427 engines, and the 350 engine with supercharging dating from 2013. The last one has the supercharger of 2.9-liters Whipple screw type. The engine should be chosen according to the desired racing class of NHRA.

Novelties with COPO Camaro are introduction of new seats, improved graphics and modern design of wheels. The program was successful even in 2013 when it was presented at Chevrolet Performance U.S. Nationals, and its creators have no doubt that the outcome from the 2014 series will be even better.

Chevrolet Camaro COPO crate engine family

Chevrolet Camaro COPO powerful engine

There are also racers who do not purchase a finished racing car but instead buy a crate engine and assemble their own vehicle. The engines are made especially for race events such as Super Stock or NHRA’s Stock Eliminator. The most famous engine shop around is the shop of race cars from GM Wixom, Mich. You can choose there between the 7.0-liters naturally aspirated 427, 5.3-liters 327 with supercharging featuring Whipple twin-screw supercharger of 2.9-liters or Whipple supercharger of 4.0-liters, 396 cubic inches naturally aspirated and 350 cubic inches naturally aspirated engines.

The 350, 396 and 427 cover E to AA classes for NHRA’s Stock Eliminator, where classification depends on the adjustments of curb weight. Engineers from Chevrolet Performance work on the production of these motors, taking care of various tests in order to offer superb quality. The tests of racing engines are similar to the ones for engines that go to production. All engines come with engine handling system from Holley.

Chevrolet Performance has also released a book about assembly of COPO Camaro vehicles called, “COPO Camaro Build Book”. This book contains hundreds of relevant photos and reveals the secrets of production of race cars. You can also find there the system for classification of NHRA and instructions for collecting the parts for the car from different manufacturers. The book will guide you through your COPO Camaro experiences in a good way.

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