When it comes to the Chevy Camaro nameplate, the V8 reigns supreme, with pretty much every other engine option taking a back seat. But what happens when you develop the Camaro’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine? Can it make decent power? As seen in the following video, the answer is a definite yes.
Coming to us from YouTuber ThatDudeinBlue, the video is just over nine minutes long and includes an overview of the car, some of the parts used, and how it drives on the street, not to mention plenty of glory shots of it parked.
The story behind this tuned Chevy Camaro starts with ZZPerformance, a speed shop in Michigan that specializes in GM products. If you’re a regular GM Authority reader, you’ve probably seen ZZP’s builds before, such as the shop’s big-turbo, 300-horsepower Chevy Sonic, its time attack Chevy Cobalt SS, or its 500+ horsepower Cadillac ATS.
This time around, ZZPerformance upgraded the Chevy Camaro’s turbocharged 2.0L I4 LTG gasoline engine to throw down with 450 horsepower at the rear wheels, a massive jump compared to the factory ratings of 275 horsepower and 295 pound-feet of torque.
To make that jump a reality, ZZP added a built bottom end with forged pistons and forged rods, as well as upgraded cams and a ZZP auxiliary fuel injection kit. Tuning was done on E85. The turbo is ZZP’s Z57 unit. Further upgrades include new coilovers, a full body wrap, and new wheels. Output is routed through the GM eight-speed paddle shift automatic transmission.
While one could certainly make the argument that modifying the Chevy Camaro’s turbo four-cylinder to produce 450 horsepower doesn’t really “make sense” with the big V8s on offer, that’s missing the point. ZZPerformance took the four-cylinder Camaro to a level that basically no one has achieved, or even attempted for that matter, and that in itself is impressive. Factor in how this tuned platform is legitimately quick, and this build shows its own unique appeal.
Check out the full feature video right here:
Subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevy Camaro news, Chevy news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
That’s a huge jump. The stock 2.0T Camaro makes 275hp at the crank, but I’ve seen videos of dynos reading around 230 to the wheels. If this ZZP modified 2.0T Camaro is making 450 at the wheels, it’s actually making over 550hp at the crank with 20% losses from engine to wheels.
But yea, making this much power safely would probably cost more than a new SS. And the NA 6.2L will probably be more reliable over time.
….“While one could certainly make the argument that modifying the Chevy Camaro’s turbo four-cylinder to produce 450 horsepower doesn’t really “make sense” with the big V8s on offer, that’s missing the point. ZZPerformance took the four-cylinder Camaro to a level that basically no one has achieved, or even attempted for that matter, and that in itself is impressive”
I would very much disagree. It DOESN’T make sense. And it ISN’T impressive/. It is a huge waste of money, time, technological know-how and talent…for bragging rights. They turned a weak-small engine into a small-powerful engine. When powerful engines already exist.
What WOULD make sense and WOULD be impressive is… to have used that money, time, and technological know-how and talent to solve a REAL WORLD problem. Like maybe wars, hunger, homelessness, climate change, poverty, disease, pollution, rich smart people acting stupid by being so self centered and ignoring the world around them. Uh, remeber yuour history about what was going on when Rome was burning and the Titalnic was sinking,? Party time! But boy o boy, can we build a post-production fast Camaro….again.
Yes I agree, it doesn’t make sense to put all this money into a 2.0l turbo when you can just buy a Camaro SS from the factory for less money.
But there’s nothing wrong with smart people doing cool things. We all have our roles to play, and not everyone has to be out there “solving real world problems like wars, hunger, homelessness, climate change, poverty, disease, pollution”. This is not communism. If YOU want to be solving real world problems, then please go ahead and do so. We all have our roles to play, your role might not be the same as someone else’s role, but they are both equally important. By your same logic why should anyone spend their time making C8 Corvettes? Shouldn’t they be planting trees or something?
What are you doing to help? Why don’t you solve it yourself before accusing a frickin car shop trying to build something fun you big party pooper lol
What am I doing to “help”?
Well, let’s see, I was able to train a wheelchair bound patient to walk again, after their paralyzing stroke. We both worked very hard on that for months.
Perhaps it was your mother???
But I am sure she would have been happier if she only had a small block, fast Camaro. LOL.
“Solve it myself”, you say? There was no Camaro engine “problem” to solve. Just someone wanting bragging rights and 5 minutes of fame for wasting time and money on something that was of no REAL benefit to the REST of society.
I can’t believe ZZP is still around. They were hacks and bullies back in my 3800 days, 15+ years ago.
Arguing that the performance shop should better use its time and monies to defeat World Hunger vs. Making Turbocharged 500Hp thru a 4-banger…..is like saying….Your Fat Wife should eat Peanuts, Caramel, and Chocolate separately vs. indulging in a Snicker Bar. Her Fat Azz got options!!
I don’t have a “fat wife”. HE is thin.
It’s certainly impressive and cool. But makes absolutely no financial sense for anyone to complete these builds, except to say they built it.
Tutto questo invece ha senso! Ad esempio in Italia ci sono delle tasse molto alte per la Camaro SS ( chiamate SuperBollo ) e pertanto siamo costretti ad optare per la Camaro 2.0l turbo ( come ho fatto io ). E pertanto sono felice di fare dei miglioramenti per renderla più potente