Check Out This Insane 10.3L Big-Block Camaro: Video
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The old adage that “there’s no replacement for displacement,” appears to be an adage that YouTube personality Garrett Mitchell, known online as Cleetus McFarland, has taken to heart. Mitchell recently acquired a 1991 Chevrolet Camaro which was set up for drag racing and had a 468 cubic-inch (7.7L) big block Chevy V8.
Shortly after purchasing the car, the engine failed, leaving Mitchell with some decisions to make. Well, he decided to go big. Actually, he decided to go as big as possible, purchasing a 632 cubic-inch (10.3L) tall deck block racing engine from Blueprint Engines. This “Eliminator” series engine is rated at 800 horsepower and 750 pound-feet of torque out of the box, all-motor. The Eliminator, which retails for $11,999, is also designed for a power-adder, which could mean either nitrous, or boost.
Mitchell recently unboxed the engine, with the package contents including a dyno chart showing the beastly motor producing 816.8 horsepower and 769.2 pound-feet of torque on an engine dyno, which is usually measured without the mechanical drag of a transmission. The engine appears to make peak torque at 4,500 RPM and peak power at 6,200 RPM. Of course, this is relative, because looking closely at said dyno chart, the engine produces over 700 pound-feet of torque at just 3,000 RPM, which sounds more than sufficient. Keep in mind, this is an engine designed for a power-adder, and that power figure was done all-motor. Once boost is added, the sky is the limit, especially with that much displacement and resulting ability to flow.
Fast forward to now and Mitchell not only has the monster motor installed in his third-gen Camaro, but he also has the supercharger in place, which means it’s time to fire it up and take it out for a spin. After a few attempts, the blown big block fires right up, and it sounds mean at idle. Astoundingly mean. The combination of a healthy-sized cam specced for boost, the blower and a slight lean initial fuel setting on a newer engine will do that.
After some tinkering with the car, it’s time to go for a test drive, and this is where a bit of comedy ensues. As Mitchell tries to put the Camaro in gear and reverse out of his workshop, the combination of the drag from the transmission being in gear, the massive lope of the cam, and the blower surge, causes the Camaro to stumble violently as it alternates between nearly stalling out and doing burnouts just trying to move.
A few minutes later, Mitchell has managed to back the Camaro out onto the road, with an in-car camera showcasing the violent rumble of the 632 big block. In Mitchell’s own words “it’s got a lot of idle,” which seems like an understatement. Once the big block gets going and picks up RPM, the motor really comes alive, sounding absolutely brutal.
The test drive ends just after it starts, with the Camaro breaking up on the throttle. The diagnosis: it’s running pig rich and fouled the plugs. No matter, Mitchell and his crew have a bit more tuning to do, taking out fuel and timing to not get detonation. Only then it will really be time to party.
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Let ‘er rip Taterchip! The Cleetus McFarland (Mitchell) YouTube channel is great G rated horsepower based entertainment. Gets more views in a week than most of the crap on TV.
The engine he had in toast(the name of the car) did not fail. He put that one in because he is going to be taking the car to summernauts in Australia.
yea and it was never set up for drag racing it was always set as a burnout car
Yep. It’s a beauty. It has a problem on the dyno where it only makes 5ish lbs of boost, but after they fix it there hoping to make 1000 hp.
this car begs for an automatic if they want to do much driving on the streets.
…maybe a Powerglide….lol.
A white-trashers wet dream!
Tadder Chip. Clean fun still exists Viacom Disney Xfinity. Hey Garrett, good job brother and the team. Still in love with the old 4dr diesel swap. It’s just has that look!
Awesome guys,. Question: did you check out the vac valve setting of the carbs and match them to what the can develops for vacuum? That would explain the “porpusing” the engine is doing and also when you mat the gas it shouldn’t feel violent as it goes thru the gears, rather should be a smooth transition with a shit ton of power. The power valve has a vac setting labeled on it. Like 5.5 or 6.2. It mean that valve works best at that vacuum the engine creates. Hope this helps. Rick in boys!
Awesome guys,. Question: did you check out the vac valve setting of the carbs and match them to what the cam develops for vacuum? That would explain the “porpusing” the engine is doing and also when you mat the gas it shouldn’t feel violent as it goes thru the gears, rather should be a smooth transition with a shit ton of power. The power valve has a vac setting labeled on it. Like 5.5 or 6.2. It mean that valve works best at that vacuum the engine creates. Hope this helps. Rick in boys!
Can you filter the air for the blower or not?
Yes you can, but you need as much air as you can get.
Bryan,
Are you guys still answering questions or is this link dead?
What challenges did you face installing the tall deck 632 in the Camaro? I am looking to do the same for my 86 and just want to prepare my wallet and be prepared for issues. What headers did you use and did you use an after market K member and did you have to massage the firewall at all?
Thanks!