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The Camaro Z/28’s hand-built 7-liter V8 proves mighty powerful on the dyno

With an alleged 505 horsepower and 481 pound-feet of torque from a hand-built 7.0-liter LS7 V8, the 2014 Chevrolet Camaro Z/28 is a thing of legend and the kind of tarmac-tearing pony car generations of red-blooded Americans have dreamt of.

That is, if the performance numbers are to be believed.

Delightfully, we’re about to find out, as Redline Motorsports has put a Z/28 on the dyno.

As you can see from the video, this Z/28 makes a max 455 horsepower and 420 lb-ft.

Yes, this is less than the rated numbers. But remember: the 505-hp and 481-lb-ft represent the power output at the crank, not the wheels. These figures represent a nine-percent parasitic drivetrain power loss, which is pretty damn impressive.

To us, this means a few things: 1.) GM is being a bit conservative with its peak crank power figures or 2.) The hand-built engines – like the Nissan GT-R – are prone to more power, depending on the tech who assembles them.

Regardless, straight-line power isn’t the Z/28s real purpose. It is, after all, a track-taming pony car, capable of 1.08 g in cornering acceleration and lapping the Nurburgring faster than an LFA or Porsche 911 Carrera S.

Giddyup.

Nick Jaynes
Former Automotive Editor
Nick Jaynes is the Automotive Editor for Digital Trends. He developed a passion for writing about cars working his way…
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