It’s been almost a year since Hennessey Performance debuted its Exorcist package for the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Originally billed as the ultimate competitor to the then-new 2018 Dodge Challenger SRT Demon, the Exorcist was designed to out-power the 840-horse monster of a Mopar.

While the pair hasn’t officially met on the drag strip yet, Hennessey has just proved the Exorcist’s top speed on the mile-long straight at Continental Tire’s Uvalde Proving Grounds. Turns out, the extra 350 horsepower delivers more top-end speed. Who knew?

Continue reading for more information on the Camaro ZL1.

As a refresher, Hennessey takes a stock Camaro ZL1 with its supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V-8 making 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque and turns things up to 11. The roots-style supercharge is swapped for a larger unit and the intercooler system is traded for one with even more cooling capacity. A more aggressive camshaft is installed, along with long-tube headers, high-flow fuel injectors, and a high-flow air induction system. Hennessey ports the cylinder heads to handle the extra air and adds beefier valves, springs, retainers, and pushrods to handle the new camshaft. Finally, the ECU is reprogrammed with a more aggressive tune.

The end result, according to Hennessey, is 1,000 horsepower at 6,500 rpm and 883 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm.

In its stock tune, Chevy claims the Camaro ZL1 is capable of hitting 60 mph in 3.5 seconds an onto a top speed of 200 mph. That’s pretty darn impressive for a factory 2+2 coupe that costs under $65,000. However, with the Exorcist will hit 60 mph in “under three seconds” and onto its now-proven top speed of 217 mph.

Of course, 217 mph is pretty fast, but Continental’s track is only a mile long. Given more room and even more favorable weather conditions, the Exorcist could potentially go even faster.

Bench racing aside, check out Hennessey’s video of the 217-mph, 1,000-horsepower Chevy Camaro ZL1.

References

Chevrolet Camaro

Read our full review on the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 “The Exorcist” by Hennessey.

Read our full review on the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.