On the weight-loss front, obvious items such as the power steering, power windows, power brakes, airbags, A/C, stereo, spare tire, sound deadener, ABS, and rear seats were tossed. Ben went a few extra steps to attack extra fat hiding beneath the skin as well. He removed the front and rear bumper supports, crash-guard bars in the doors, excess metal behind the quarter-panels, and various heat shields and brackets. Even bolt threads throughout the car deemed unnecessary were hacked off. The plan worked, and the car now weighs in at 2,980 pounds and runs 9.93 at 135 mph on a 1.28-second, 60-foot time. You see, horsepower really isn't everything.
True, the LS1 will likely continue to reign supreme in late-model-GM land and will maintain its position as the Pro Touring mill of choice; one fast LT1 car isn't going to change that. However, running 9s naturally aspirated in street trim is damned impressive in anyone's book and makes the gap between second-best and best that much tighter.
Quick Inspection: '94 Chevy Camaro 228
Benjamin Moore, Hammond, LA
Powertrain
- Engine: The 396ci small-block is based on a forged Eagle 3.875-inch crank, 6-inch steel H-beam rods, and SRP 12.5:1 flat-top pistons. The 210cc AFR heads have 2.08/1.60-inch valves, and the custom Cam Motion cam measures 259/267-at-0.050 with .683/.676-inch lift, and a 110-degree LSA. Crane rocker arms actuate the valves, and exhaust exits through Hooker 1 3/4-inch long-tube headers. Custom touches include sheetmetal valve covers and a low-mount alternator bracket. The fuel system uses a stock tank with a sump, Aeromotive external pump, and 55-lb/hr injectors. Lighting the fire is a Dynaspark Opti-Spark and an MSD ignition box and coil. Futral Motorsports (Walker, Louisiana) tuned the PCM, and Ben assembled the entire engine at home.
- Power: It puts 456 hp at 6,800 rpm and 367 lb-ft of torque at 5,700 rpm to the wheels.
- Transmission: Replacing the failure-prone 4L60E is a TH350 built by Morris Transmissions (Baton Rouge, Louisiana). It's more than up to the task without the weight penalties and horsepower loss associated with a TH400. The converter is a BTE 5,500-stall unit and a TCI trans shield covers everything up.
- Rearend: The 7 5/8-inch GM 10-bolt blew up several times, so it was replaced with a Moser 12-bolt with 33-spline axles, a girdle, 4.10:1 gears, and a Strange spool.
Chassis
- Frame: Other than the addition of a Wolfe Racecraft six-point rollbar, the basic chassis is stock.
- Suspension: Just about everything's from BMR including the K-member, A-arms, Panhard rod, and rear trailing arms. There are 275-lb/in Carrera springs up front, stock springs out back, and adjustable QA1 shocks at each corner. The torque arm is custom, and the car leaves the hardest with the pinion angle set at 2.5 degrees down.
- Brakes: The ABS has been removed, and a Strange manual master cylinder summons the pistons. The rest of the system is stock.
- Wheels: Weld Pro Stars are the wheels of choice, measuring 15x3.5 up front and 15x10 in the rear.
- Tires: Mickey Thompson ET Fronts steer it down the track and 30x9 ET Drags provide the bite.
Style
- Body: Everything is stock except the fiberglass, cowl-induction hood.
- Paint: It's GM Bright Red metallic.
- Interior: The cabin doesn't look like a car that's been lightened 500 pounds, and that was precisely the point. There are Auto Meter fuel pressure and vacuum gauges on the A-pillar and RJS five-point harnesses for both seats.