Ahead of SEMA, Chevrolet Performance handed one of its ZZ632 big-block V8 crate engines over to the guys at Hoonigan to put into a third-generation Camaro. Today, they released their first video of the engine running in the car.
The clip starts with the engine basically sitting in the engine bay with almost none of the connections necessary for life. After a substantial amount of work, though, they’re ready to start the engine and it takes remarkably little convincing. After just one attempt, the massive engine springs to life in a violent, explosive flurry.
A battery cable then promptly disconnects, shutting the whole thing down, but it’s not hard to start it again. The sound is, just as you’d expect, massive and the force of the engine causes the build team to worry that the whole car might shake off the lift.
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Displacing 10.35-liters, the ZZ632 produces 1,004 hp (1,017 PS/749 kW) and 876 lb-ft (1,188 Nm) of torque on 93-octane gas. The only thing bigger than the naturally aspirated engine’s performance figures might be its price tag.
Only yesterday it was revealed that the engine will cost $37,758.72 when it goes on sale in early 2022, which is roughly the same price as a 2022 Camaro 1SS with a 6.2-liter V8.
Following the initial startup, the team still had a considerable amount of work to do before the third-gen Camaro was ready to go to SEMA. With the customized air filter from a sprint car installed, an eight-core radiator, a custom interior, and more going in, it’s a wonder the Camaro actually made it to the show.