There’s more than one way to go fast, especially when it comes to the Chevy Camaro. Sure, you could stick the tried-and-true formula of a supercharged 6.2L V8, but for this particular fifth-gen, the answer was a bit different. You see, this thing was originally equipped with a V6, but now it’s sporting a 4.8L V8 from a Silverado, plus a honking big turbo, all of which adds up to a rather violent 800 horsepower.
Featured in a new video from YouTuber ThatDudeinBlue, the decision to go with the iron block 4.8L V8 makes sense. Known for withstanding a whole heaping of boost pressure, the engine is now eating up 15 psi of the stuff. With tweaks, the setup is rumored to exceed 1,000 horsepower, although testing has apparently been limited due to the constraints of the local dyno.
The Chevy Camaro also features a Tremec TR6060 manual transmission, long 3.45 rear-end gearing for optimal performance under boost, and coilover suspension. Unfortunately, it also retains the original V6 brakes, which could be a bit underwhelming in the face of 800 turbocharged horses.
After going over some of the specs, the reviewer describes the driving experience as exhilarating, yet challenging. The turbo’s power delivery is violent and comes in late, creating some lag before unleashing immense force, easily spinning the tires in lower gears. A fender-mounted exit exhaust adds to the visceral experience, emitting an aggressive sound. Naturally, this Chevy Camaro could also use some stickier tires to unlock its true potential.
Despite its quirks, this V6-to-V8 turbo build looks like it’s a ton of fun. These days, the 4.8L V8 isn’t the most common performance swap, but as is demonstrated here, a healthy heaping of boost can dish out the sort of numbers that would put a smile on just about any enthusiast’s face.
Check out the full video right here:
Comments
Looks like someone had a lot of time and money to waste on their ride.
I would love to get info on this engine swap and is it worth it. I have a V6 2011 RS that I bought new and would love to put a v8 in it.