2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

It's official. The long awaited 2012 COPO Camaro is in the NHRA Classguide making it legal for Stock and S/S.

Go to www.NHRAracer.com

Travis Miller

(Disclaimer:Opinions expressed by me on this forum are exactly that, my opinions.)

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

I thought they were going to be automatics only. I see stick shifts listed. Cool.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

427cu. in. 425 hp. That's about right.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

How do you get almost 900lb lighter than the street version?
ZL-1 4120lb
s/ss 3250lb

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

It must be the titanium valves and the 9" aluminum GM center section. I want one! Dyno

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Gotta make it fair....lol

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

I have a 2012 1SS with zero options. It weighs 3780 lbs (curb weight). Take out the back seat, air bags, stereo, heater, ABS, fuel tank, IRS, wiring harness, wheels, tires, brakes, exhaust, power accessories, etc. Install the NHRA legal replacement parts.......

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Titanium valves have been installed in all production LS7 heads (Z06 Corvette).

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

HP Rating's do not work for GT classes! NHRA needs to add some new GT weight break classes 5-5.5lbs or even 6-6.5lbs classes
550hp X 5 + 170 = 2920lbs
550hp X 6 + 170 = 3470lbs
550hp X 7 + 170 = 4020lbs
550hp X 8 + 170 = 4570lbs

I feel it is unrealistic, and unsafe to take a G5 or Cobalt over 3500lbs!
Tom Nolan

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Dont they have Titanium rods as well?
Dan

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

The production motors do, but this one gets steel.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

What should it run flat out at A/SA legal weight..........9.81 at a national open or perhaps a bit quicker?....Oh 14 plus CR plus a 650 ish cam......maybe a bit quicker....Bo getting one?

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Did Stock go in as Powerglide only as the specs were released by GM?

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

A three speed and manual were also submitted.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

How much lighter are the Drag Pacs than the street version? The COPOs are made strictly for drag racing! So who cares how much they weigh!!!

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

I know Bryan. I thought this weight issue has been covered multiple times with the mustangs and dodges. I'm thinking its people attempting to hate on chevy, but they can't find anything like crazy hp factors (Ford and Dodge). Even though they call it Govt. Motors, they arn't taking any handouts from our Govt. (NHRA).

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Time will tell how close they are on the factoring. Just because they are rated higher HP doesn't mean that they are factored closer.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Bottom line on the weight issue is that it allows all brands to put weight where it is most beneficial!! Take a production car and start removing weight and you MIGHT be able to get to a minimum weight.

Glad to see GM back in the game.

1012 COPO vs 1969 COPO both factored the same. How close will this be looking at the specs??

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Exactly the same way the DPs and the CJs did. Take anything that makes them street legal and leave it off.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

427 cubic inch Chevy 425 horsepower. 360 Cubic inch Drag Pak 275 horsepower. Doesn't make sense to me!

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

I have no issue with the weight of any of the new cars. I'm just amazed at the weight difference between the street version and the class guide.
I started construction on a '67 shelby stocker (untill the economy put it on hold) and the class guide shows a weight of 3187lb. only 70lbs lighter than the camaro. I didn't know all of that street legal technology was that heavy. The camaro sure looks a lot larger and heavier than my '67 mustang. If I could take out the same percentage of weight my car would weigh about 2700lbs. The problem is it still wouldn't be competitive with the new cars.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

You would be really surprised at the weights of everything in a new car. The stock harness on my 1995 Formula was about 40 lbs! The same goes for the carpet. I scraped over 30 lbs of deadener and sealer out of my body-in-white 2010 Camaro. That is before you look at the stuff the government now mandates. Ever pick up the rims on a new Camaro?

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Just to give some insight on the real numbers of this 427 NA engine, I have been running close to the same combination in my 68 camaro in bracket mode for the past year. 427 LS7 NA, originally Z06 motor, replaced pistons with 12:5 compression Ross, have close to the same cam as the COPO, powerglide, but with a 950 carb setup, stock GM 4-barrel intake. Car runs 6.0's in the 1/8 shifting at 6800. Dynoed with a fresh motor this year at over 700 hp @6800. Figure how much more the COPO would be capable of from reported rumored 9.69 after the engine/chassis experts get more run time, go to full race tune, running it up to 7500 rpm.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Byron
Not sure the 275 vs 425 is that far off. Adjust for cid and the 275 goes to 325. WJ says a point of CR is 4% so thats another 12 % or 365 HP. Then the light valves, the 33% larger throttle body opening and the .640 vs .490 cam and its pretty close. What is .150 lift worth? Maybe its even in favor of the 427. Not sure the TB difference gets much since I doubt its the choke point on either engine, but it sure doesn't hurt. Either way it will make a slick stocker.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Byron knows the old 360 is a truck motor, and of course the Chev is a race motor. Thats about the same. i can tell the chevy guys are happier already. Don't you think so Stewart? I'm glad they are feeling better.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Ya think

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

I shipped a set of 20" wheels/tires off our 2010 to a guy in New York...cost me $180 to ship, as each front was like 34lbs and each rear was 37lbs, iirc...I couldn't believe how heavy they were.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Your right Jeff. But compare the (race) 427 to the 6.1 hemi. The hemi has the smaller TB, around 2 pts less compression, less cam and the 427 is rated less than 1 hp/ci and the hemi started at more than 1 hp/ci. If you correct the 6.1 370/385hp to 427 inches and for the additional compression the 6.1 would be over 470hp.
The 5.7 hemi at 305 hp is likely closer to the 427 and everyone complained about the 5.7. If you correct the 5.7/305hp for compression and inches its about 400hp. The TB, valves and additional cam may be worth the other 25hp.
Why isn't everyone complaining about the 427/425 rating?
I can remember threads where Mopar (and Ford) folks were called immoral and unethical but I doubt we will hear that about the Chevy guys. And we shouldn't.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

If you want to compare OLD vers NEW look at the 427/ 425hp L72 1969 and then check the spec's on the new copo 427/ 425hp. All these new cars are NOT STOCK ELIMINATOR CARS PLAIN AND SIMPLE!!!!

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

I am sure you do not like the new COPO ,but NHRA has put them in the classguide and they are hear to stay whether you like it are not.I think the new cars will put a few more young fans in the stands and that will be good for NHRA Drag Racing.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Next time your at a national event go look in stands for that young crowd, my bet it there not at the track yet, note stock normally runs very early in the day or very late sometimes both, and there there for the beer and nitro, check it out

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

I agree with you 100% and I do go to at least four national events a year with my 26 year old son.If your assumption is correct nhra stock racing wiil die in a few years.I sure hope not.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

As others have said, you're not looking at the fans in the stands. I do. Every time we take either car to the lanes. No, the "new" cars are not bringing young fans to the track or to the classes.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

The only way to to bring new young racers and new young fans to the sport of drag racing we all love is to bring more new cars into the nhra classguide.My 26 old son and his friends could give a dam about a rust bucket 1969 camaro.lol

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

I agree. I got involved with this sport when I was 20 years old. 20 plus years later the only fans you see in the stands when s and ss run are the same as when I started! The racers and their family or friends that came with them. Everybody thought that when the firebirds and camaros in the mid to late 90's came out that this was going to bring in the young crowd! Well how did that work out?

I say good luck and have fun while it lasts! Might be 2yrs or 20yrs. But the young crowd will never be there through the week and early mornings no matter what car is running!!

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Ha!

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

Maybe, but I think the best way to get new fans into racing is one at a time. Bring a neighborhood kid to the races or a test and tune. Play big brother for a day. Let them ride with you during the warm up and to the lanes. The bug will bite them hard.

Just seeing the cars doesn't have the tangible impact that sitting in the car, hearing and feeling the rumble happens to have. Whop the throttle a time or two to really drive home the message. It will have a huge impact on your guest.

One of my clients attended a race to help me on a Make a Wish event I did for a boy. She got hooked! I did all of the above and she is a regular at the races. She even brings or sends cookies! Can't get any better than that.

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

New cars have come into the class guide every year for decades.

The new fuel injected cars, with relatively soft factors, have been in the class since 1999, that's how we ended up with the FI classes for several years. If your son and his two friends haven't gotten interested by now, they never will be. Any of the 3 of them building a new factory car with a give away factor? I thought not.

If you haven't figured it out, it is about the entire class, as it works, as a whole, and not about any one car. No car is going to get anyone interested, or save the class.

In order to be of any use to Stock and Super Stock, as a fan or a competitor, you have to understand how the classes work, and want to compete or watch on that basis. You have to love the classes for what they are and what they mean. If all you're looking for is an absurdly soft factor, or the car of the week, you'll be gone soon enough, and no one will miss you, or even remember who you are.

I'm sure the guys with the 70 Challengers and 68 Mustang Super Cobra Jets, among others, are just as broke up as we are that your son and his two friends don't give a damn about our rust bucket cars.Yeah, that would be not at all. We're out there racing, and contributing to the classes. If that's all any of you (you, your son, and his "friends")have as far as love for cars goes (that you don't give a damn about our "rust bucket 69 Camaros), you won't be of any help to class racing. :rolleyes:

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

I could not agree more with your message.When I take my son I always invite his friends to come with us and they all seem to love it once they understand just how hard the sportsman racer works to just get to the race.The Sportsman Racer Is NHRA!

Re: 2012 Camaro in the NHRA Classguide
 

This economy has been sinking for a solid 4 years now. Maybe thats why no one is at the races. Everybody is broke. I don't go as much as I would like because I have to work 7 days a week to make ends meet. Maybe a lot of you guys who race are retired and can afford to smell the nitro. :)

At the very least these new cars are something to talk about.....