Chevy Camaro ZL1 On Dyno Blows Transmission And Airbags: Video
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The Chevy Camaro ZL1 is an absolute ripper right out of the box, but as is usually the case, some folks simply want more. That’s usually where the aftermarket comes in, but unfortunately, modifying a performance vehicle isn’t without its dangers. That fact is put on display in dramatic fashion in the following dyno video.
Coming to us from the folks at Complete Street Performance (CSP), a speed shop in West Chester, Pennsylvania that specializes in late-model GM vehicles, the video is about 14-and-a-half minutes long, and shows the fateful dyno pull and immediate aftermath.
As the video points out, the folks at CSP were prepping the Chevy Camaro ZL1 (affectionately dubbed the TreeL1) for a demonstration at Camaro Fest. Unfortunately, the transmission had other plans in mind.
Prior to jumping on the dyno for this particular session, the folks at CSP say their upgraded Chevy Camaro ZL1 was making about 850 horsepower at the rear wheels, good enough for a 10.3-second run in the quarter mile with the factory rubber. This particular run is to establish a baseline, while subsequent runs are planned for the next day with tank full of E85.
The first run of the day yields 811 horsepower and 812 pound-feet of torque. The tuner decides to throw a little more timing into it and tries for a second run. That’s when the problems start.
Around the two-minute, 10-second mark, we see the second dyno run begin. As the engine rpm climbs towards redline, we start to see metal fragments falling from underneath the vehicle. The tuner lets off the throttle, and suddenly, a large cloud of white smoke shoots out from underneath the car. The curtain airbags then go off, and suddenly, the bottom of the Chevy Camaro is completely engulfed in flames.
At this point, the individual shooting the video puts the camera down and grabs the fire extinguisher. The rest of the video looks over the damage that was done, including to the car and the tuner, and outlines next steps. Luckily, the tuner wasn’t seriously injured.
Check out the full video right here:
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Maybe not the best video to circulate if you’re trying to grow a “tuning” business…
For their part, the engine held, it was the back of trans that grenaded.
His shoulder injury was from an igniter in the seat belt retractor that goes off to pull the seat belt back to hold you back in the seat and not allow your body to go forward in a collision. Ask me how I know. The explosion from the trans must have been so great that the g-force sensor was tripped to blow the curtain and seat airbags.
Which tranny ?
Who owns the Camaro? You could almost anticipate something was gonna blow by the sound. Just over winding.
From the sound, it seems like it takes a long time to wind up. I had a 500 HP, 550 #/FT car that wound up a lot faster. That didn’t sound like 800 HP comparatively speaking (not doubting it, just observing). Why does it take so long to get up to redline?
Rpm speed increase is tuners choice. He’s watching lots of parameters on the dyno,laptop so he may have been creaping up to higher revs.
Good comment.