King of Camaros set for SEMA show debut

The bog-standard Chevrolet Camaro SS is hardly a shrinking violet (a 313kW 6.2-litre V8 sees to that), but two powerhouses of US musclecar tweaking -- Lingenfelter Performance Engineering and Hotchkis Performance -- are set to wow the upcoming SEMA (Specialty Equipment Market Association) show with this stove-hot coupe.

The annual Las Vegas aftermarket trade show (which starts on November 3) has become something of a haven for completely OTT concepts and one-offs, so the Lingenfelter/Hotchkis Camaro should fit right in.

At the Chev's heart lies a hand-built 7.0-litre LS7 engine featuring forged pistons, titanium connecting rods and Inconel (whatever that is) exhaust valves. It doesn't end there, as the big V8 is fed by a Magnusson/Eaton TVS2300 supercharger and a custom Lingenfelter intake manifold.

Result? A mountainous 551kW, comfortably eclipsing Yankee musclecar heavyweights such as the 476kW Corvette ZR1 and 447kW Dodge Viper ACR.

The massive power quota is said to be "tractable" and "usable", thanks to a comprehensive overhaul, referred to as the Hotchkis Total Vehicle System, which brings sport springs, adjustable sport sway bars and a 'ChassisMax Subframe Brace'.

The brutal Camaro also scores XXL Brembo brakes, custom LPE 20-inch 10-spoke wheels (shod with Pirelli 275/40ZR20 rubber up front and 305/35ZR20s at the rear) and an LPE 'air management' body kit that includes a bespoke front spoiler, side skirts and bootlid spoiler.

A quartet of tailpipes protrude from cutouts in the rear bumper diffuser, while the driver's view of the road is over a Mad Max-esque bonnet with a pronounced 'powerdome'.

"Over the years we have been involved in dozens of OEM and racing development programs, but this one is special," said Hotchkis Performance founder and president John Hotchkis.

"Lingenfelter builds some of the fastest, coolest and most refined domestic supercars in the world, and the fact that they asked us to help develop the suspension for a 200mph (320km/h) Camaro and then offered to debut the car in our booth is very exciting."

The good news for prospective Camaro owners (at least in the US) is that they will have the opportunity to fully or partially replicate the show car as the Lingenfelter body kit and engine package will also be offered as separate packages, as will the Hotchkis suspension components.

Here's a rundown of what it's got:

Engine
* 427 CID/7.0-litre LS7 engine
* 8.8:1 compression ratio with forged JE pistons
* Production GM LS7 crankshaft and titanium connecting rods
* LS7 cylinder heads with titanium intake valves and Inconel exhaust valves
* Magnuson/Eaton TVS2300 supercharger
* Custom fabricated LS7 cylinder head supercharger base manifold
* Lingenfelter 14-rib rear drive system with tensioner pulley
* Lingenfelter/ATI Racing 10-rib front accessory drive
* Lingenfelter heavy-duty power steering pump
* Lingenfelter low temperature thermostat
* Custom Lingenfelter coil covers
* Corsa stainless exhaust system
* Lingenfelter Camaro SS twin pump fuel system with LPE fuel pump controller

 Drivetrain
* Six-speed manual transmission
* Lingenfelter 6 bolt LS9 twin-disk flywheel and clutch assembly
* Heavy duty Driveshaft Shop halfshafts

Chassis
* Hotchkis Sport Springs
* Lingenfelter double adjustable Sachs shocks
* Hotchkis Sport Suspension Adjustable Sway Bars
* Hotchkis ChassixMax Subframe Brace
* Brembo brake calipers and Brembo rotors

Wheels/Tyres
* Custom LPE 10 Spoke Design Wheels
* 20 X 9.5 Fronts
* 20 X 11 Rears
* Pirelli 275/40ZR20 Fronts
* Pirelli 305/35ZR20 Rears

Lingenfelter Camaro SS Body Package
* Front Fascia Splitter
* Rocker Extensions
* Carbon Fiber Grille
* Hood with Air Extractors
* Rear Deck Lip/Spoiler
* Rear Fascia Extension with LPE Exhaust Tips
* Custom LPE 10 Spoke Wheels
* Lingenfelter Embroidered Interior
* Lingenfelter badges

Interior
* Muth turn signal mirrors
* Mito rear view mirror with video display
* Lingenfelter/Grant custom steering wheel
* Lingenfelter CNC machined pedal covers
* Lingenfelter floor mats

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