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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.

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