RUMOR: Chevrolet Camaro Z28 To Get A LEGENDARY V8? Fingers Crossed THIS Is True...

One of the coolest cars that Chevrolet recently produced was the last-gen Camaro Z28. That's because it was a car that was done RIGHT.

I've said it before and I'll say it again. General Motors can build great vehicles when it wants to. The good news for gearheads like us is that it tends to be high-performance vehicles.

From the sounds of it, it seems like the upcoming Z28 will follow suit. That's because one of the industry's big buff books is reporting that the hopped up Camaro may feature a 7.0-liter V8 good for over 500 horsepower, maybe even more than 550 horsepower.

Personally speaking, I hope that's true. If you ever experienced an LS7 you'd know why. It's a booming, bombastic V8 that really makes an enthusiast's heart swell up with joy. Of all the Corvette's I've piloted, undoubtedly, the Z06 was the king.

We're curious though: Does the next-gen Z28 REALLY need a special motor to make it stand out from the pack?

Having just driven the new V6 and V8 standard Camaros I have to say that it's a VERY impressive product from an engine and transmission perspective. The interior could use some work but that's to be expected in a muscle car. We think Chevrolet could get some more oomph from that 6.2-liter V8 but then again why rain on the ZL1's parade?

...The Z/28 has to have a “special” engine. The last one did—remember the LS7, that amazing 7.0-liter lump of small block awesomeness that is a first-ballot inductee into the Engine Hall of Fame? Well, it would be if such a hall of fame existed. Anyhow, we all know about the Shelby’s special engine, the butt-kickin’ 5.2-liter flat-plane crank V-8. Chevrolet would be crazy not to pack something extra groovy under the Z/28’s vented hood...

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MDarringer - 5/14/2016 10:08:19 PM

0 Boost

The LS7 is a brilliant engine. I've put it into a few of our restomods.

Ford needs to do a CobraJet for the street.

valhallakey - 5/15/2016 9:05:34 AM

+2 Boost

Chevy has kind of got its history mixed up. They should put the big displacement motors in the ZL-1 and as an option for the SS. Personally I would like to see the Z/28 have a legendary motor, a high tech, high revving small displacement V8. Not sure that Chevy remembers but those original smaller V8s with the higher red lines were a distinguishing feature on the originals (along with pita solid lifters). Think Ferrari 458 Special 600hp, 4.5L type V8. It will not have as much torque as a 7.0L but the Z/28 was never about torque, it was about revs and handling. Another alternative if that is just way out of the question financially would be a tricked out light weight turbo V6. Also as One concession to modern times and sales they should have 2 variants like Ford has done with the GT350. One for track junkies and one a little less hard core for the people who want to use it as an everyday driver.

atc98092 - 5/15/2016 4:00:09 PM

+2 Boost

True, the Z28 was always a small block, at least back in its early years. If I remember correctly, it was almost always a 302 CID small block.

valhallakey - 5/15/2016 7:54:39 PM

+2 Boost

Correct in the original Z/28 they had a 302in motor (67-69) for homologation purposes. In 1970 they moved to the 350 LT1 from the Vette, still though a small block with a lot of similarities to the 302 which was a short stroke derivative of the 327… which became a 350 :). That is the reason I think a 427 does not do justice to the Z/28 heritage. Keep the 427 with the ZL-1 and as an option on the SS. Figure out something more interesting for the Z/28.