Chevy created the COPO (Central Office Production Order) Camaro as a way of getting around the limitations GM put on performance vehicles. It has since become a coveted special edition dragster with limited production numbers. These cars are equipped with obscene power and are meant for the racetrack, not the street.
For the 2023 COPO Camaro, Chevy dropped a monster 10.35-liter engine under the hood, making it the most powerful offering from an American manufacturer. Again, and this can't be stressed enough, this vehicle is not street-legal by any stretch of the imagination.
The ZZ632 Earthshaker
The 2023 COPO Camaro's engine options include a naturally aspirated 7.0-liter 427 V-8 and a supercharged 5.7-liter 350 V-8, but that's not what all the buzz around this vehicle is about. The big-dog engine option on every buyer's wish list is the 632 cubic-inch (10.35-liter) Big Block ZZ632 V-8.
Chevy made the ZZ632 as a crate engine for race car builders in 2021 but has now decided to put it in one of their cars. While the specs for the 2023 COPO Camaro haven't been announced, the crate version produces an Earthshaking 1,004 horsepower and 876 pound-feet of torque. Though this is definitely a race car, the engine achieves these spectacular numbers on 93 octane gas.
It will be interesting to see what kind of times the COPO Camaro can turn in with a ZZ632 propelling it. The 2022 COPO with a 572 can do a quarter mile in under 9 seconds so the 2023 with the bigger engine should improve upon that.
|
Displacement |
632 cu in (10,348 cc) |
|---|---|
|
Bore x Stroke |
4.60 x 4.75 in |
|
Compression Ratio |
12.0:1 |
|
Power |
1,004 hp @ 6600 rpm |
|
Torque |
876 lb-ft @ 5600 rpm |
|
Maximum Recommended Engine Speed |
7,000 rpm |
|
Block |
Tall Deck 632 Bowtie Sportsman, cast iron, four-bolt main caps |
|
Cylinder Heads |
RS-X Symmetrical Port, CNC-machined aluminum |
|
Crankshaft |
Forged steel |
|
Connecting Rods |
Forged steel |
|
Pistons |
Forged aluminum |
|
Fuel |
Electronic port injection |
Most Powerful Muscle Car Ever
Earlier this year, Dodge announced the Hellephant A170 supercharged 426 cubic-inch V-8, which produces 1,100 horsepower on E85 fuel. Dodge however hasn't announced plans to put this beast inside of one of their cars, selling it only as a crate engine.
Ford has built some big engines over the years including the 1100 CID GAA, used for powering Sherman tanks in WWII, but they don't have anything like that for automobiles.
That makes the 1.004 horsepower ZZ632 2023 COPO Camaro the most powerful car from any of the big Three American auto manufacturers. That also means, for the time being, the COPO Camaro is the king of muscle cars. Dodge is going all-electric with their muscle car line-up, but they may drop a Hellephant in a Challenger just for kicks.
Not Legal At Any Speed
The '23 COPO Camaro is designed specifically for the racetrack and Chevy is very adamant about that. In the few brief paragraphs the company provided about the vehicle, most words are a reminder that this isn't a street-legal machine.
The car is sold without a title and doesn't come with a VIN. While it may be tempting to take this out on the road to blow some minds, the car was made to blow doors off at the drag strip. The fastest speeding ticket ever issued in the United States was 242 mph in a 75 mph zone and that's a record that doesn't need to be broken.
632 Big-Block Package
Those who chose the big block package don't just get the ZZ632. Included in the upgrade are a custom Vivid Orange Metallic paint job and a unique graphics package. The hood and front fenders are painted with the 632 engine designation. There's COPO embroidery on the seat backs and a Chevrolet Performance vinyl graphic with Black Bowtie on the rear quarter.
Turning that 632 power into forward momentum is a TH-400 3-speed automatic transmission. Keeping the COPO Camaro glued to the track are Hoosier drag racing tires on Black Weld race wheels. It also comes equipped with wheelie bars and a two-piece carbon fiber hood. The parachute is optional.
The Price Of Power
Chevy hasn't announced a price for this magnificent machine yet, but expect it to be a six-figure car. The ZZ632 alone runs in the $38,000 range. Optioning the 632 big-block package adds $30,000 to the base model price. The 2022 COPO Camaro started at $105,500 so 2023 632 will probably be in the $130,000 to $140,000 price range.
Chevy requires a $15,000 deposit as well as an application. Once they review the application, the prospective buyer will be contacted to complete the transaction. Chevy makes no guarantee that every applicant will get a vehicle.
Collector's Paradise
Whether it's for racing or just to add to a collection, the 2023 COPO Camaro looks like it's the one to have. Not only is the car gorgeous, but it also has an almost unreal amount of power. This thing is going to tear up the track and be a major source of envy.
COPO Camaros have always been valued for their performance and limited numbers. By throwing the ZZ632 into the 2023, Chevy has created a must-have for collectors that will be revered till the end of time. Simply put, the 2023 COPO Camaro 632 is a badass machine, possessing terrifying power.