Chevy brings back Big Block for COPO Camaro

Chevrolet are tempting quarter mile competitors in North America with the return of a Big Block engine for the competition-only COPO Camaro.

The new engine option is a 572 cubic inch naturally aspirated Big Block V8, which Chevrolet says harks back to the original 1969 COPO Camaro ZL-1 – a purpose-built drag racer, powered by a 427ci V8, that was available to those in the know through Chevy’s Central Office Production Order system.

The new COPO 572 engine features a cast-iron block with four-bolt main caps, aluminium heads, a forged steel crankshaft and conrods, and forged aluminium pistons.

Available on the 2022 COPO Camaro, the 572 joins two Small Block V8 engines already available for this model that include a supercharged 350ci rated at 580hp (432kW) and a naturally aspirated 427ci rated at 470-hp (350kW). Both these engines are based on the existing LSX Small Block.

For the 2022 COPO Camaro, all three engine options will be matched to an ATI Racing Products TH400 three-speed automatic transmission.

Eligible for NHRA Stock and Super Stock drag racing in the US, the COPO Camaro comes with wheelie bars and a carbon fibre bonnet as standard, with a parachute and boot-mounted weight box optional. Built for competition, the COPO Camaro is not legal for street use.

The COPO Camaro is a limited-edition model, too.

Since Chevrolet reinstated the COPO programme in 2012, less than 700 units of the COPO Camaro have been built. Only 69 units of these competition machines were offered initially, with the high demand seeing Chevrolet release them via a lottery.

For the 2022 COPO Camaro, Chevrolet say they will not limit production, but add that orders will be filled on a first come, first served basis.

Chevrolet’s COPO programme is not available in Australia.