In 1969 the ZL1 Camaro was introduced by Chevrolet dealers using Chevrolet's COPO special order system to create racing intended models powered by an aluminum 427 Big Block engine. It took 43 years later for Chevrolet to produce another ZL1 Camaro starting in 2012 with the 5th generation camaro that was introduced in 2010. Powered by a supercharged LSA 6.2L 580 hp engine the modern ZL1's proved to be a hit on the street and drag strips across the country. The popularity of the ZL1 has continued through the sixth generation introduced in 2016 right up to the present with the 2022 ZL1 Camaro coming out later this year.
Having seen many newer stock and modified ZL1's racing at the track one may assume they are all running with the factory based engines. While checking out cars in the staging lanes a sharp looking '15 silver ZL1 caught my eye with a set of Mickey Thompson 29.5/ 10.5 wide slicks tucked in the wheel wells and a sharp looking set of Champion wheels. Everything else appeared to be what I've seen in many of the ZL1's I've checked out before so when owner Shawn Anderson asked me if I like to see the engine I was expecting to see the usual setup. Much to my amazement when the hood was opened, a glistening all aluminum 582ci Big Block Chevy occupied the sanitary engine compartment! A sharp eye will also notice the nitrous solenoid which sprays a 300 shot when needed to play catch up on a run. A look into the interior reveals everything is functional and pretty much as it came from the factory aside from the monster tach, shifter, seats and the mandatory rollbar. The car is street legal with a change of rear tires and pushing 855 hp on pump gas unleaded can you imagine the fun you could have on the streets! On this day Shawn along with his wife Suzee, were out bracket racing and the big block ZL1 ran very consistent getting a couple wins with a classic modern vs old match up against a '69 Camaro in his first pass.
Shawn is no stranger to potent big block chevy engines as he is well known for building some of the best engines in his Eau Claire County, Wisconsin shop. The notoriety and customer satisfaction has earned him the knickname "Big Block Shawn" and the go to guy for all your big block needs. #bigblockzl1 #bigblockshawn #modernvsold