The most controversial Camaro in the world

[hotrodalex]

http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicles/hrdp_0904_1967_toyota_powered_chevrolet_camaro/index.html

If you feel like burning this issue to a crisp after reading this story--assuming you actually make it to the end--we feel your pain. Why would anyone pull an automotive Pearl Harbor by putting a Toyota Supra motor in a '67 Camaro, an original show-quality RS/SS at that? We'll save the message board trolls some time by throwing out our own official "WTF?" For decades, Chevy boys have been chuckling on the sidelines while Mouse motors and LS1s were dropped into everything from Porsches to Datsuns to BMWs to Mazdas to Hondas and even Fords. The purists balked. The heretics went fast. Now that the tables have been turned, however, maybe hybrid warfare isn't all it's cracked up to be. At least that was our knee-jerk reaction to this sushi burger; but there's far more to this machine than controversy.

For starters, it pumps out 823 hp at the rear wheels with a completely stock short-block. The 183ci Toyota 2JZ-GTE straight-six--originally installed in Mark IV Supras--is legendary for its tremendous power potential and reliability with relatively simple modifications. Although it put out a meager 320 hp from the factory, more than tripling that figure is all too common with simple valvetrain and turbo tweaks. "All you need are some aftermarket valvesprings, titanium retainers, more aggressive camshafts, and a bigger turbo to make 1,000 hp with these motors," explains car owner Ted Nguyen. "A setup like mine doesn't make full boost until 4,000 rpm, but the valvetrain upgrades allow it to rev to 9,000 rpm and make up for it on the top end. I had a 950hp Supra that I used as a daily driver for three years, and all I had to do was change the oil. There are guys putting 1,500 hp through stock blocks without any problems." Let's take a moment to reiterate:--we're talking about a 183ci six-banger here.

Even if you don't like the notion of a Japanese-built powerplant, any motor that produces 5.5 hp per cubic inch is impressive. Throw in the fact that 2JZ-GTEs--complete with an ECU and all accessories--sell for less than $2,000 on eBay, and it's rather obvious why someone would at least ponder the idea of dropping one in a muscle car. That said, there's a huge difference between merely flirting with and actually committing an act of heresy. Ted's crossed that line, but it wasn't an easy decision to make. "I'm pretty open-minded when it comes to cars," he says. His past and present rides include a '70 Challenger T/A, three Shelby GT500s, a twin-turbo '69 RS/SS Camaro, a trio of Tri-Five Chevys, a big-block '69 SS Camaro, a number of Supras, and several European sports cars and Italian exotics. "I like taking the best elements from all the cars I've experienced and integrating them into the cars I build. I've always been a fan of putting newer technology into muscle cars and thought it would be really interesting to see how well a Supra motor would work in a Camaro. At first I thought it was far too outrageous to actually pursue, but the fact that it was somewhat forbidden piqued my interest even further."

(follow link for full article)

[hotrodalex]

Personally, I think this car is sweet. I'm definitely an old school V8 guy, but I love people who do things differently. There were tons of comments in the June (?) issue of HOTROD about it. Some were positive, but I think most of the letters they got were negative. I understand that's it's not the way most people do it - but you gotta respect that amount of power coming from a stock block. I'm not a Japanese-tuner guy - mostly because a lot of the looks aren't backed up. But the ones that can back up their stuff get my respect.

[MX793]

Is this any different than the RB26DETT powered 67 (or maybe it was a 69) Mustang?

[Gotta-Qik-C7]

Personally, I think this car is sweet. I'm definitely an old school V8 guy, but I love people who do things differently. There were tons of comments in the June (?) issue of HOTROD about it. Some were positive, but I think most of the letters they got were negative. I understand that's it's not the way most people do it - but you gotta respect that amount of power coming from a stock block. I'm not a Japanese-tuner guy - mostly because a lot of the looks aren't backed up. But the ones that can back up their stuff get my respect.

+1

[GoCougs]

Is this any different than the RB26DETT powered 67 (or maybe it was a 69) Mustang?

Yes, this is a Camaro.

[GoCougs]

I think it's pretty cool. The gaping quad exhaust tips are a bit much for me. Craftsmanship is incredible.

How the heck did such a young guy get all this money? (Didn't read the article.)

[565]

How the heck did such a young guy get all this money? (Didn't read the article.)

[Onslaught]

Personally, I think this car is sweet. I'm definitely an old school V8 guy, but I love people who do things differently. There were tons of comments in the June (?) issue of HOTROD about it. Some were positive, but I think most of the letters they got were negative. I understand that's it's not the way most people do it - but you gotta respect that amount of power coming from a stock block. I'm not a Japanese-tuner guy - mostly because a lot of the looks aren't backed up. But the ones that can back up their stuff get my respect.

What? 

You just talking about the civics with the fart cans?

I think it's funny that people get mad at it. I should put a rotary in a Corvette to piss them off even more.

[Madman]

I guess I can sort of understand how these old-school hot road guys feel.  Whenever I see a beautiful old Jaguar with a Chevy V8 crammed into it I want to find whoever did it and beat his head in with a baseball bat!  Still, fair play to the guy who made this.  Looks like he knows what he's doing.  I just wish he hadn't used a show-quality original car to experiment on.  No matter how good this car is, it will never be worth as much as an all original '67 Camaro.  If you must build a Frankenstein monster such as this, at least find a solid beater with a blown motor.


Cheers,
Madman of the People

[sandertheshark]

If it was anything - anything but a show-quality '67 RS/SS or another super-rare muscle car, I'd be damned impressed.  Hell, if it was an ordinary '67 Camaro straight six, I'd applaud.  But to desecrate a national treasure... file me under WTF, and a category eight WTF at that.

[sandertheshark]

I should put a rotary in a Corvette to piss them off even more.

If you do that, I'll drive to NC and help.  As long as its a late C3 or C4 and not an original 427 Stingray.

[Raza]

If you do that, I'll drive to NC and help.  As long as its a late C3 or C4 and not an original 427 Stingray.

You stay away from my beloved C4s!  Unless you do it to an automatic, that's fine.  Can't find a fucking C4 stick anywhere.  What I really want is a white ZR-1, like my ZR-1 model car.

[MX793]

You stay away from my beloved C4s!  Unless you do it to an automatic, that's fine.  Can't find a fucking C4 stick anywhere.  What I really want is a white ZR-1, like my ZR-1 model car.

ZR1 excluded, why on earth would you want a C4?  Rattle traps.  And pre-92 models had that terrible 4+3 manual transmission (which is why it's so hard to find one with a stick).

[Raza]

ZR1 excluded, why on earth would you want a C4?  Rattle traps.  And pre-92 models had that terrible 4+3 manual transmission (which is why it's so hard to find one with a stick).

They look awesome. 

What's this 4+3 trans again?

[280Z Turbo]

That is terrible. That engine does not belong in something like that. It should be in something better.

[MX793]

They look awesome. 

What's this 4+3 trans again?

It was the manual gearbox in the C4 up until 1988.  The 4+3 was a 4 speed manual with automatic overdrive in 2nd, 3rd and 4th for fuel efficiency (basically a 4MT with a 2 speed automatic bolted to the back of it).  It was replaced in '89, not '92.  I thought they upgraded the transmission when they ditched the L98 for the LT1, they actually went to the 6MT before they introduced the LT1.

[cawimmer430]

I've always wondered if there is any truth to these statements about 1,000+ horsepower Supra's only needing an oil change and nothing else. Aren't such extreme power outputs a drag on engine components? A Formula One engine lasts like what? 500-1,000 km at most. Ok, they're also driven harder and competitively but I just can't imagine someone using a 1,000+ horsepower modified car as a daily driver.

[hotrodalex]

I've always wondered if there is any truth to these statements about 1,000+ horsepower Supra's only needing an oil change and nothing else. Aren't such extreme power outputs a drag on engine components? A Formula One engine lasts like what? 500-1,000 km at most. Ok, they're also driven harder and competitively but I just can't imagine someone using a 1,000+ horsepower modified car as a daily driver.

Since it's using a turbo I'm assume that he stays off the boost while just driving around. Seems pretty easy on the engine that way.

[hotrodalex]

What? 

You just talking about the civics with the fart cans?

I think it's funny that people get mad at it. I should put a rotary in a Corvette to piss them off even more.

As long as you can walk the walk, I'd be fine with that. And like Sander I would probably be willing to help.

I just wish he hadn't used a show-quality original car to experiment on.  No matter how good this car is, it will never be worth as much as an all original '67 Camaro.  If you must build a Frankenstein monster such as this, at least find a solid beater with a blown motor.

I agree. Or even a pretty nice example that just needs a new drivetrain and maybe a little body & interior upgrades.

[SVT666]

Not cool. 

[S204STi]

[S204STi]

I think of myself as a "purist" in that I like to see engines stay where they belong, but I totally dig this swap.  That Camaro would easily embarrass many a small-block powered machine.

[J86]

Way cool.

[Vinsanity]

I guess I can sort of understand how these old-school hot road guys feel.  Whenever I see a beautiful old Jaguar with a Chevy V8 crammed into it I want to find whoever did it and beat his head in with a baseball bat! 

As much as I like being able to say I have a V12 under the hood, if you want to be sure that the old Jag starts and runs every day, there's absolutely nothing wrong with going with a Chevy V8.

[GoCougs]

As much as I like being able to say I have a V12 under the hood, if you want to be sure that the old Jag starts and runs every day, there's absolutely nothing wrong with going with a Chevy V8.

Not to mention that for a fraction of the cost that 350 V8 will be far more powerful...

[ChrisV]

As much as I like being able to say I have a V12 under the hood, if you want to be sure that the old Jag starts and runs every day, there's absolutely nothing wrong with going with a Chevy V8.

The Jag V12s were problematic, and really heavy. But they used GM TH400 transmissions so it's easy to swap the V8. The 6 cyls were also heavy, but other than the valve tappet guides on the later models and a bit of PCV issues, the engines themselves were very strong. Unfortunately, the alternators, starters, Bosch fuel injection, etc and Borg Warner trans were not so reliable. On my XJ6s, I installed the valve stakedown kit (that fixed the tappet issue), Bosch gear reduction starter to replace the Lucas versions (there are no new Lucas units for those cars, Only units that have been rebuilt, most of them have now been rebuilt at least twice...), and I wanted to replace the alternator with a GM unit.

I have no problem with Chevy V8s in those cars. Lighter, more powerful, and better fuel mileage, and comes with the better electrical bits, standard. Not a bad thing no matter how you slice it.

But then again, I'm not against engine swaps in general, as some of the best hot rods and sports cars have been based on engine swaps, from the Cobra to the Tiger, to the Griffith, etc. I've done plenty of swaps, myself.

[Vinsanity]

I always thought it would be cool to have a garage shop that specialized in engine swaps like 5.0L Miatas and 350in? Jags, 240Z's, 914's, Volvos and the like. If I had the technical and mechanical know-how, I'd even go for LSx swaps in old big-body GM cars, and maybe even something like this 2JZ Camaro if someone wanted to pay me to do it.

[S204STi]

I always thought it would be cool to have a garage shop that specialized in engine swaps like 5.0L Miatas and 350in? Jags, 240Z's, 914's, Volvos and the like. If I had the technical and mechanical know-how, I'd even go for LSx swaps in old big-body GM cars, and maybe even something like this 2JZ Camaro if someone wanted to pay me to do it.

Yeah, same here.  Having a performance shop (and knowing what I'm doing!) would be a blast.

[the Teuton]

I wouldn't do it to a classic car that is otherwise worth something like a 356 or a real 283 Bel Air.  Those cars deserve to remain intact, concours quality cars.  I cringe every time I see a 350 or 502 Bel Air that is otherwise perfectly restored.

But if I got a hold of a Beck 356 or Spyder replica, I could see myself doing scary things with it and a turbo Subaru motor.

[S204STi]

I wouldn't do it to a classic car that is otherwise worth something like a 356 or a real 283 Bel Air.  Those cars deserve to remain intact, concours quality cars.  I cringe every time I see a 350 or 502 Bel Air that is otherwise perfectly restored.

But if I got a hold of a Beck 356 or Spyder replica, I could see myself doing scary things with it and a turbo Subaru motor.

Porsche 911 EJ20T