LS9 in a 1969 Camaro

[Z-06]

[source: Motor Authority]

GM engineer drops Corvette ZR1 supercharged LS9 into '69 Chevrolet Camaro

For many auto enthusiasts, the golden age of automotive styling was during 1960s, when designers had virtual free reign on their designs and didn't have to worry about aerodynamics, pedestrian crumple zones and other such ‘nuisances’. At the same time, the ‘60s could hardly be called the high point of automotive technology, and the development of engines, brakes, suspension components and transmissions still had a long way to go.

Fast forward to 2009, and legendary GM engineer and pro-touring car builder Mark Stielow appears to have created the perfect marriage of automotive styling and technology - and by this we mean a 1969 Butternut Yellow Chevrolet Camaro with GM's insane LS9 V8 dropped into its engine bay.

For the uninitiated, the LS9 supercharged V8 is the most powerful production engine GM has ever made, with a mind-numbing 638hp (476kW) and 604lb-ft (819Nm) of torque on tap. It currently resides in the mighty Corvette ZR1 supercar and is available as a standalone crate engine for $21,000.

Named 'The Jackass', Stielow’s LS9-powered Camaro also takes the same wheels and super wide sport tires from the ZR1 to help transmit all that power to the road. The only issue that could crop up from this is trying to stop the car at 180mph with the stock Camaro brakes, but luckily these have also been replaced with the same carbon-ceramic units found in the ZR1.

A quick chassis dyno reveals that the car makes around 511hp (381kW) at its rear wheels, transmitted through a Tremec T56 6-speed transmission borrowed from the Dodge Viper. With all that power, we can expect lightning fast acceleration although no performance figures have been released.

As for the price of all those tantalizing mods, Stielow revealed to Edmunds that it’s actually cheaper to buy the Corvette ZR1 – but who could say no to an LS9-powered 1969 Camaro if money was no option?

[BigPontiac]

Insideline Article with more pics.

[Robert Hall]

Cool... I'd like to see that drivetrain in a current Suburban...a Suburban ZR1 would be so cool.

[Camino LS6]

Sweet!

But different wheels would be better on the Camaro.

[G. David Felt]

Sweet!

But different wheels would be better on the Camaro.

I totally agree with you on this! +1