‘14 CAMARO COPO: BOWTIE BASHER!

Limited-run Camaro can be ordered with choice of 327 to 427 cubic inch engines, targeting a variety of NHRA classes.
Chevrolet Performance’s COPO Camaro program returns for the third year with another limitedrun of factory-produced racecars and a pair of new racing engine choices. To purchase one of the exclusive models, potential customers must sign up for the COPO Camaro mailing list at chevroletperformance.com. Like in the two previous years, only 69 racecars will be built for NHRA Stock Eliminator and Super/Stock competition. They will carry the distinctive, updated styling of the ‘14 Camaro, including new front and rear fascias.

Serial Number One of the limited-production run – the only one to be painted Ice Blue Metallic – will be auctioned by Chevrolet Performance at Barrett-Jackson’s annual January event in Scottsdale, AZ. Proceeds will benefit the Achilles Freedom Team of Wounded Veterans, an organization dedicated to helping wounded veterans participate in marathons and share their success within a supportive community and their families.

“The COPO is helping sportsman racers around the country put the Chevrolet bowtie in the winner’s circle and the 2014 cars will be even more competitive with the new engines,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of performance vehicles and motorsports. “But the only way to get one of the new race cars is get your name on the COPO mailing list.”

COPO Camaros will be built by hand starting with hardware from the General Motors Oshawa, Ontario assembly plant that manufactures regular-production Camaros. This includes the same body-in-white body shells (part number 19243374) racers can purchase from Chevrolet Performance, along with other COPO-specific parts, to build their own dedicated
racecar. Each production car is fitted with an NHRA-approved roll cage and other safety equipment, along with racing chassis and suspension components – including a unique solid
rear axle system in place of a regular-production Camaro’s independent rear.

The newly designed racing engine lineup includes a revised version of the naturally aspirated 427 engine and supercharged version of the 350 engine introduced in 2013. It will feature a 2.9L Whipple screw-type supercharger. Naturally aspirated 350 and 396 engines are also available. Customers select the engine based on their intended NHRA racing class. They can also purchase all four engines, each serialized to match the car. The ’14 COPO Camaro also includes new racing seats, updated graphics and a new, available wheel design.

The same high-performance engines used in the COPO Camaro production racecars are available as Crate Engines for racers building their own competition Camaros. Each is engineered for NHRA’s Stock Eliminator and Super/Stock classes, offering sportsman racers a range of factory-developed-and-assembled racing engines.

The COPO crate engine family grows to five for 2014 and includes a naturally aspirated 427 7.0L engine, two 5.3L supercharged 327 engines – a new combination using a Whipple twin-screw 2.9L supercharger and the other using a 4.0L Whipple supercharger – and all-new 396-cubic-inch and 350-cubic-inch naturally aspirated engines. Each is assembled by hand at GM’s Wixom, Mich., racing engine shop. The 427, 396 and 350 engines are designed to cover NHRA’s Stock Eliminator classes from E to AA. Curb weight adjustments are the primary requirement for class qualification.

Chevrolet Performance engineers designed and tested the engines with the same methods used to develop production engines, ensuring their performance and durability. A Holley engine management system is included with each engine.

Chevrolet Performance’s COPO Camaro Build Book (part number 88958767) provides an insider’s look at the assembly of the production racecars through hundreds of color photos. Additionally, the book includes detailed specifications for NHRA classification and descriptions of the aftermarket parts and their manufacturers used for the production vehicles. Important start-up, warm-up and pre-/post-race procedures are also included as well as fluid and maintenance recommendations. The book is available from Chevrolet Performance retailers.

Racing enthusiasts interested in more information on the COPO program can follow the latest COPO information at www.theblock.com Check out the latest Chevrolet performance products, http://www.chevrolet.com/