Muscle triumph: Yenko/SC Camaro Stage III with 1521-horsepower V8 and 6-speed manual transmission

Tuning studio Specialty Vehicle Engineering (SVE) from Toms River (USA, New Jersey) says goodbye to Chevrolet The sixth generation Camaro is a killer modification in every sense with a “cargo” 7.0-liter V8, boosted to 1521 hp. Only 100 examples will be produced.

The “sixth” Camaro is in its final months, and it is the last iconic muscle car of that name. Leading American tuning studios see off the legendary model with honors: earlier this month, Hennessey Performance presented the farewell 1039-horsepower Exorcist coupe based on the Camaro, and now we meet the most powerful Yenko/SC Camaro Stage III from Specialty Vehicle Engineering.

Let us remind you that SVE is one of GM's court tuning studios: SVE cars and accessories can be purchased from selected official Chevrolet dealers. The Yenko name, which SVE uses, is also closely linked to GM history: in the mid-1960s, Don Yenko, a Chevrolet racer, designer and dealer, began equipping the Camaro with a 7.0-liter V8 himself and subsequently convinced GM to do the same at the factory for the top versions of this model, so that it is not inferior in performance to the Ford Mustang and the muscle cars of the Chrysler Corporation.

SVE has extensive experience in tuning Camaros, but has not previously offered a historically correct 7.0-liter V8 for it. At the end of the Camaro's career, such an engine finally appeared, it was named 427 C.I.D. SVE made it based on a 6.6-liter GM L8T cast iron block designed for the Chevrolet Silverado 2500/3500 HD and GMC Sierra 2500/3500 HD pickups.

SVE bored out the L8T block to 7.0L, installed new forged pistons and connecting rods and a new heavy-duty crankshaft. The cylinder heads with all the “gibles” are modified “heads” from the LT4 engine. The power supply system is completely new, as are the intake and exhaust systems. The performance of the cooling system has been increased, a new oil cooler for the engine and separate radiators for the gearbox and differential have been installed. The main increase in power comes from the drive “meat grinder”. As a result, instead of stock 407 hp. and 629 Nm we have fantastic 1521 hp and 1735 Nm. Not a single GM automatic transmission can handle such an avalanche, so the Yenko/SC Camaro Stage III is equipped only with a reinforced 6-speed manual transmission paired with a self-locking transmission, without which it will be difficult to even take off from a standstill.

In addition to the new Yenko/SC engine, the Camaro Stage III is equipped with a custom stainless steel exhaust system, Yenko brake calipers, and new forged wheels , a “gobby” hood with a large air intake, a new front splitter and a wing on the trunk lid. The interior is lavishly decorated with Yenko logos.

Converting a stock muscle car into a Yenko/SC Camaro Stage III will cost approximately $130,000 — a very modest price compared to other much less powerful European sports cars.