eCOPO Camaro: The Future Of Drag Racing?

eCOPO Camaro

You won’t see this at the drag strip every day, an all-electric eCOPO Camaro beating its original record-breaking quarter-mile times of low 10’s by dipping into the 9’s. It’s an eerie sight to see, a COPO Camaro that usually sounds like a monster do a smokey burnout, a front wheels-up launch, and a 9-second pass without barely making a sound.

The eCOPO Camaro was hitting 10.14’s (give or take) regularly with 80-percent juice being fed to it. No one knows how much juice was being fed to the Camaro when it made its groundbreaking 9-second pass, but whatever the case, the eCOPO stopped the clocks at 9.837-seconds and cross the traps at 134 mph.  

The eCOPO Camaro was debuted at the 2018 SEMA show last October. The Camaro uses the same body structure and body design as the standard COPO Camaro that Chevrolet offers to private drag racers and drag racing teams for the NHRA Eliminator class. This electric setup Camaro even uses the same three-speed automatic transmission and solid rear-axle as its sibling COPO.

The setup the eCOPO uses is two electric motors drawing power from four 200-volt modules that are evenly placed throughout the car for even weight distribution. The setup is said to produce an estimated 780 horsepower and 780 pound-feet of torque.

If there is ever an electric drag racing class that comes about, the eCOPO uses an 800-volt charging system for quick turnaround times for round-after-round drag racing. And it is possible, if you look at Indy car racing, they have a very successful Formula E all-electric circuit that runs all year and visits a lot of the famous raceways throughout the US and world.

So is this the future of drag racing? There could possibly be a competitive class or classes that come about in the near future. But let’s face it, the power, the sound, and the thrill of hearing a combustion engine roar through the quarter-mile just won’t ever go away.   

Detroit Dragway - Gone But Not Forgotten

Detroit Dragway

Detroit Dragway was located in the then not so populated Brownstown Township of Michigan just outside of Detroit. This legendary dragstrip opened in 1959 and closed its gates in 1998.

The shutdown was mainly due to two reasons. The first reason was Detroit Dragway needed a renovation, but the proposal to do so was turned down by Township residents in 1994. The extra traffic congestion and noise pollution were not what the now populated upscale Brownstown Township wanted. The other reason for closing down was a lack of business due to a much nicer updated track [Milan Dragway] only about an hour away.

Although Milan Dragway did not in no way have the history that Detroit Dragway had, it did, however, have much-needed safety regulations and creature comforts to attract more racers and spectators on a weekly basis.

Sunday, Sunday, Sunday

"Sunday, Sunday, Sunday at Detroit Dragway", that used to be the catchphrase broadcasted across the radio waves when main events were being promoted. Although by the time I was old enough to go racing with my Dad the real history and charm of the track had already passed on and big NHRA names were no longer showing up. The tracks legendary stories, records, and photos prove that there's no doubt the big time drag racers would always show for the big events, but now it's just history.

In 1959 and 1960, Detroit Dragway hosted the U.S. Nationals for the first time putting them on the map and paving the way to host many more great racing events. Big names like "Big Daddy" Don Garlits, Connie Kalitta (a hometown hero), Shirley Muldowney, the Sox & Martin team, the Ramchargers team, and much more would come to compete and put on a show.

Detroit Dragway: A Dragstrip with a Purpose

One great thing that Detroit Dragway did for the surrounding cities was it gave illegal street racers a place to race legally. Growing up in Michigan, I witnessed and joined in on the street racing fun. Telegraph Rd. among many other Detroit highway roads were a hub for street racers, and Detroit Dragway was a place to go close by and legally race.

Another service Detroit Dragway provided was a place for promotion. “The Big Three” seen the dragstrip as a great place to promote their products. What better place to put their new performance vehicles on display than a racetrack that is right next to the then biggest automobile manufacturing city in the world (The Motor City).

Nothing Stays The Same Forever

Things have changed over the years. Detroit may still be nicknamed “The Motor City”, but it definitely is not the biggest automobile manufacturing city in the world anymore, and by most accounts, it is still broken and struggling.

Street cruising/racing on Telegraph, Outer Dr., and Grand River disappeared in the late ’70s and early ’80s but made a huge comeback in the late '90s and early 2000s. But after a police task force was formed to rid the city of the dangerous pastime and a few heavy-hitting raids cost many of us big fines, suspended driver’s licenses, and all-around big headaches, we mostly stick to drag racing legally and safely now. Although there may be some strays out looking for that kind of trouble still, there's not even enough of them for the Detroit Police Department to keep the street racing task force up and running.

White Knuckle Racing

I did get to race at Detroit Dragway a few times before it was shut down. I was always hearing these stories about a big dip at the end of the track after the finish line, and I'm here to tell you it was there. I don't know if I would say it was dangerous, but it was an eye-opener when you crossed the finish line (hence the need for renovation).

Racing at Detroit Dragway was fun. There was a slight feeling of danger and fear when racing at that track, almost like you were crossing your fingers in hopes that you made it down the track and back to the pits safely. Milan Dragway doesn't really give you that feeling, but that's because the track is up to code and their safety team is 110% awesome.

Nowadays, Milan is where racers from the southeast side of Michigan and beyond go to do their drag racing. I recommend it to anyone, it's a nice facility and a nice place to race. And I can tell you from experience that the price of emissions is a small price to pay as opposed to being caught in an underground drag racing sting.

Gone But Not Forgotten

The once famous Detroit Dragway located at Sibley and Dix in Brownstown Charter Township is now a warehouse facility. Most who live with-in the surrounding high-class neighborhoods don't even know what kind of history was bulldozed down to keep their neighborhoods quiet.

But for those of us who do remember "Sunday, Sunday, Sunday" being shouted out on the oldies rock station, we knew what it meant. We knew that loud and fast cars would be lining up at the gates, then finding their spots in the pits, and eventually funneling into the staging lanes to wait for their chance to compete for a trophy win, bragging rights, and a payout at the Detroit Dragway quarter-mile.  

DETROIT DRAGWAY – Just another part of drag racing history gone but not forgotten.

 

NHRA Going Against the Street Outlaws Television Show

 



The Street Outlaws reality T.V. show is like most reality T.V. shows these days: fake, set-up, factually incorrect and basically silly. But for some reason they have quite a fan base, somehow these reality T.V. shows get people to tune in even if they know that the show is fake. The Street Outlaws producers have even managed to get some licensed NHRA drivers to join in on the very dangerous and illegal act, but much to those racers surprise, the NHRA organization is not having it.

In the past week NHRA has sent out letters to licensed NHRA competitors to stop participating in the Street Outlaws reality T.V. show or be banned from the NHRA. There has been NHRA racers that have been a part of the show and other racers that are scheduled to show up on the show in coming episodes. But the NHRA makes it very clear that they do not promote street racing of any kind and if street racing is what you want to do, you can turn in your license and go be a part of it.

I am in my early 30s now, but spent a lot of my early 20s engaging in the dangerous act of street racing in the Detroit Michigan area. I for one know first hand what you see on the Street Outlaw reality T.V. show is very fake, produced, set-up and in some sense it actually makes street racing look less dangerous than it really is.

When I talk real street racing, I'm not talking about some back road that has been safely banned for any thru traffic except for T.V. show members and crew. I'm talking about spectators on both sides of the road all the way down to the finish line. Thru traffic always a possible obstacle – potholes, curbs, trees, telephones poles, the unsuspecting drunk driver – all dangers to a driver with a car that in most cases is not fully safety equipped to handle a high-speed wreck.


I would honestly like to say I have never seen anyone injured or killed, but I can't tell you either way. When something bad happens, the automatic reaction for everyone is to get to your vehicle and get the hell out of dodge. Even if a man is trapped inside a burning vehicle, the best thing you can do for him is call 9-1-1 as you are making your getaway. It's sad, but it's true, there's no “No Man Left Behind” when you are engaging in illegal activity.

Another thing that the Street Outlaws Reality T.V. show portrays is the harmless changing hands of money. Sure, when it is all set up for T.V., it's not a problem. But in real life, $3,000-$4,000 is a lot of money to hand over. That kind of money changing hands promotes arguments, fights, brawls, and even murder, that's right, murder. Bruised egos and illegal money sends people over the edge, add in a few drinks, a few puffs on the sweet marijuana, and a crowd of encouraging spectators, it doesn't take much to feel compelled to protect that ego.


I have since hung up my street racing helmet and headed to the track for some safe fun. I encourage everyone to do the same. The Street Outlaws Reality T.V. show is just that, a T.V. show. Real street racing is dangerous to yourself, for the spectators, innocent people who are clueless to what you are doing and on top of it all, if you get caught illegally gambling and racing, say goodbye to your driver license for a while and possible jail time.

"American Graffiti": The Best Car Cruising Movie Ever

This movie emulates a great time in car history. 

Cruising, Racing, Music -- great cars that ended up becoming some of the most wanted cars by American car collectors today. "Wolfman Jack" has his part in the movie, along with many other actors that went on to have well-rounded acting careers. The movie takes place in a more light-hearted time. 

I was much to young to remember that time, but me and a lot of other car guys did have a place to cruise right outside of Detroit -- on Telegraph rd. Unfortunately, the fun of that was short-lived. The fun it created on Fri. and Sat. night probably went on for quite a long time before I got my first cruiser, '71 Skylark (455). The fun died out when younger kids were starting to drive their Mommy and Daddy's funded Rice Burners around. The movie "Fast and the Furious" just came out (a poor representation of the drag race world) and everyone who had a wing on the back of their Honda Civic thought they could fly. 

Drunk Driving, illegal racing for money, car accidents, crotch rocket motorcycles too fast for their own good etc. etc. left authorities no choice but to police the situation.

Even the days of having fun at the world-famous "Woodward Dream Cruise" has became a thing of the past. Miles and miles of traffic that moves about 3 mph when it's not totally stopped, the street is flooded with 90% of the cars being the same cars you see on your way back-and-forth to work everyday and advertisements is the main reason for the event. 

Unfortunately, the last time I was at the cruise spot, I was arrested, along with 250 other people who all received tickets for loitering. My Camaro was towed to a place down in Detroit, and that cost me a lot to get out. The only fun thing about that night was when it came time for all 250 pissed off people to show up in court, I believe authorities may have thought, maybe this was not such a good ideal.

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2013-17 COPO Camaro: Strictly Business

The COPO (Central Office Production Ordered) Camaro is the rarest of all the Camaros that is available to the public. It was first introduced in 1969 and was built by General Motors for the sole purpose of drag racing. The ideal behind it was to bring competition to the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) drag racing circuit. Up until 1969, the Ford Cobra Jets and Dodge HEMIs dominated the Stock and Super Stock circuits because the Camaro did not meet NHRA rules and regulations and was unable to race. So to fix that problem, GM decided to make sure the COPO Camaro would be produced and delivered to the consumer with every NHRA rule and regulation followed.

Although the existence of the '69 COPO Camaro would be short lived, the legend would stick around up until present day. Starting in 2013,  General Motors brought it back with the same intentions, strictly drag racing. 

There will be 138 COPO Camaros that will be produced and sold for 2013 and a pacific number each year after. There will be three different engine options for the consumer to choose from: A 427 cubic inch naturally aspired V-8, a 327 cubic inch V-8 with a 2.9L supercharger and a 327 cubic inch V-8 with 4.0L supercharger. The Camaros will also have a special designed drag race suspension including a rear solid axle, racing tires, role cage and a fuel cell with an easy access exterior on/off switch. You will also find that there is no back seat, but you will have full functioning racing harnesses for the front seats which all complies with NHRA's rules and regulations.


What makes these cars so rare outside of its raw horsepower and racing capabilities? The COPO Camaro is the only American made cars that you can buy that have no VIN. #, no title and they can not be registered to drive on public roads.

2013 Special Edition COPO Camaro Convertible 

A special edition convertible version of the COPO Camaro was auctioned off at the Barrett-Jackson Auction in 2012. General Motors managed to bring in $400,000 dollars for the first ever sold 2013 Inferno Metallic Orange Camaro with all proceeds going to help the American Heart Association.

Now, if you were someone that wanted to get your hands on one of these rare Camaros, you would not have to shell out $400,000 dollars, but you should expect to at least shell out about $89,000 dollars, that is if you are someone who is lucky enough to order one before there all gone.

COPO CAMARO GENERAL INFORMATION:

NHRA horsepower ratings:

• 327/4.0L supercharged– 550
• 327/2.9L supercharged – 500
• 427 Naturally aspirated – 425

NHRA shipping weights:

• 327/4.0L – 3175 lbs
• 327/2.9L – 3250 lbs
• 427/N/A – 3195 lbs

• Recommended max engine RPM – 7500

CHASSIS:

• Chrome-moly cage – NHRA certified to 8.50 ET
• Subframes tied together
• Front engine cradle modified to accept additional oil pan clearance
• Rear subframe modified to accept unique COPO NHRA Stock Eliminator suspension

REAR SUSPENSION:

• 4-bar with adjustable top links
• Adjustable panhard link
• Double-adjustable Strange Engineering coil over shocks
• Anti-roll bar

FRONT SUSPENSION:

• Adjustable Strange Engineering coil over struts
• Sway bar removed

STEERING:

• Production steering gear modified for manual (non-assist) operation

BRAKES:

• Light-weight vented rotors
• Billet 4-piston light-weight calipers
• Light-weight tandem master cylinder
• OEM pedal modified to mount master cylinder
• All components provided by Strange Engineering

WHEELS:

• Bogart Racing light-weight with unique COPO logo
• Forged outer ring
• Billet center
• 15” x 10” rear – 5/8” studs
• 15” x 3.5” front – 1/2” studs
•  4 – 3/4” bolt circle pattern

TIRES:

• Rear – 9” x 30” x 15” radial slick
• Front – 4.5” x 28” x 15” – drag-only

GEARS & AXLES:

• Strange Engineering 9” aluminum center section
• Light-weight steel spool
• Strange 9310 alloy 4.29 ring & pinion set
• Strange Engineering 35-spline axles
• Strange Engineering chrome-moly yoke

DRIVE SHAFT:

• 4” OD x .125” wall 6061-T6 aluminum tube
• Chrome-moly end caps
• Forged chrome-moly slip yoke
• Heavy-duty 1350 universal joints

TRANSMISSION:

• ATI Racing Products “Pro Glide”
• SFI-approved ATI “Super Case”
• 1.80 ratio 9310 straight cut gear set
• Precision balanced carrier with 4340 tool steel output shaft
• Turbo spline input shaft:
• 327/4.0L – Vasco material
• 327/2.9L and 427 – 300M material
• 7 clutch high gear pack
• Billet clutch hub
• High flow front pump with heat-treated pinned stator tube
• Deep aluminum pan
• Hard Chrome Rings
• Fluid overflow catch can

TORQUE CONVETER:

• ATI Racing Products “Treemaster MRT” Series
• 327/4.0L – 9” diameter housing
• Furnace brazed impeller and turbine fins
• Precision pump drive tube
• Heavy duty needle bearings
• 22 element sprag with dual cage construction
• 327/2.9L and 427 – 8” diameter housing
• Furnace brazed impeller and turbine fins
• Precision pump drive tube
• Heavy duty needle bearings
• Investment Cast Cover

SHIFTER:

• Hurst “Quarterstick” – 2-spd. automatic
• Forward pattern
• Built-in neutral safety switch
• Light-weight aluminum cover

327 ENGINE:

• Chevrolet Performance “LSX” cast iron block with steel main caps
• 4.065” bore x 3.150” stroke
• Static compression ratio – 10:1 nominal
• Callies 4340 crankshaft – double-keyed snout
• Callies 4340 H-beam “Ultra” rods
• 6.350” length
• .928” pin bore diameter
• Clevite H-Series heat-treated tri-metal rod & main bearings
• Mahle 2618 alloy forged domed pistons
• Graphal coating
• Hard-anodized top ring groove
• Friction-coated skirts
• Mahle .043” x .043” x 3mm piston rings
• Ductile iron top with radius molybdenum face
• Plain cast iron tapered 2nd
• Chrome-plated oil rails with low-tension expander
• Comp Cams steel billet hydraulic roller camshaft
• Duration – 246°/254° @ .050” lift
• Theoretical valve lift – .630”/.630”
• Lobe centers – 117°

Valvetrain:

• Chevrolet Performance “Ceramic Ball” high-RPM hydraulic roller tappets
• 3/8” diameter LS7 pushrods
• 1.8:1 ratio LS7 rocker arms with roller trunions
• PSI “Max Life” beehive valve springs
• Hardened steel spring seats
• Light-weight steel retainers
• Fully CNC’ed aluminum cylinder heads – based on LS7
• 275 cc nominal intake port volume
• 89 cc nominal exhaust port volume
• 70 cc nominal combustion chamber volume
• Del West titanium intake valves – 2.200” head diameter x 7mm stem
• Light-weight sodium-filled exhaust valves – 1.610” head diameter x 7mm stem
• Fel-Pro Performance multi-layer steel head gaskets with raised cylinder sealing bead
• Internal wet sump oil pump
• Deep-sump cast aluminum oil pan – 6 quart capacity
• ATI Performance Products SFI-approved damper – 10-rib shell
• Whipple twin-screw supercharger
• 327/550 – 4.0L
• 327.500 – 2.9L
• Whipple billet throttle body
• 327/550 – 172mm oval blade
• 327/500 – 109mm round blade

427 ENGINE:

• Chevrolet Performance LS7 aluminum block
• 4.125” bore x 4.00” stroke
• Static compression ratio – 13:1 nominal
• Callies 5140 crankshaft
• Callies 4340 H-beam rods
• 6.100” length
• .928” pin bore diameter
• Clevite H-Series heat-treated tri-metal rod & main bearings
• Mahle 2618 alloy forged domed pistons
• Graphal coating
• Hard-anodized top ring groove
• Friction-coated skirts
• Mahle .043” x .043” x 3mm piston rings
• Ductile iron top with radius molybdenum face
• Plain cast iron tapered 2nd
• Chrome-plated oil rails with low-tension expander
• Chevrolet Performance steel billet hydraulic roller camshaft
• Duration – 233°/276° @ .050” lift
• Theoretical valve lift – .630”/.630”
• Lobe centers – 107°

Valvetrain:

• Chevrolet Performance “Ceramic Ball” high-RPM hydraulic roller tappets
• 3/8” diameter LS7 pushrods
• 1.8:1 ratio LS7 rocker arms with roller trunions
• PSI “Max Life” beehive valve springs
• Hardened steel spring seats
• Light-weight steel retainers
• Fully CNC’ed aluminum cylinder heads – based on LS7
• 275 cc nominal intake port volume
• 89 cc nominal exhaust port volume
•  70 cc nominal combustion chamber volume
• Del West titanium intake valves – 2.200” head diameter x 7mm stem
• Light-weight sodium-filled exhaust valves – 1.610” head diameter x 7mm stem
• Fel-Pro Performance multi-layer steel head gaskets with raised cylinder sealing bead
• Internal wet sump oil pump
• Deep-sump cast aluminum oil pan – 6 quart capacity
• ATI Performance Products SFI-approved damper
• Meziere billet electric water pump
• Chevrolet Performance/Holley “Hi Ram” intake manifold
• Whipple billet throttle body – 102mm blade

FUEL SYSTEM:

• Aeromotive “Eliminator” fuel pump – free flow rating = 800 lb/hr
• Aeromotive A1000 pressure regulator with manifold pressure compensation capability
• Aeromotive 10-micron high-flow filter
• Light-weight black nylon braided -8 AN hoses
• Black anodized aluminum -8 AN hose ends and fittings
• High-impedance fuel injectors
• 327/550 – 105 lb/hr @ 43.5 psi with EV1 connector
• 327/500 – 80 lb/hr @ 43.5 psi with EV1 connector
• 427/425 – 42 lb/hr @ 58 psi with EV6 / USCAR connector

ENGINE CONROLS & IGNITION:

• Delco MEFI 5A electronic fuel injection processor
• Speed density operation
• Interfacing software & hardware available in the aftermarket
• Cable-actuated throttle
• Production LS7 ignition coils
• Production LS7 secondary wires
• GM sensors

ELECTRICAL:

• Dash-installed control switches:
• Starter
• Ignition
• Fuel pump
• Cooling fan
• Intercooler pump/water pump, depending on engine package

GAUGES:

• Autometer with gold “Bowtie” logo on dials:
• 5” 10K RPM tach with shift light
• Electronic water temp with 2 1/16” face and 100°-260°F range
• Electronic trans temp with 2 1/16” face and 100°-260°F range
• Electronic oil pressure with 2 1/16” face and 0-100 psi range
• Electronic fuel pressure with 2 1/16” face and 0-100 psi range
• Voltmeter with 2 1/16” face and 8-18v range

SAFETY:

• RJS Safety Equipment 3” driver restraints
• RJS Safety Equipment window net

Street Racing: Not Worth It!

Growing up I spent many years at the Drag Strip, but when I got my first car (71' 455 Buick Skylark, low 12's in the quarter-mile) in High School I found a new way to skip school and hang out late at night. Throughout all my drag racing troubles I managed to almost kill myself and an old lady while skipping auto class to drag race a friend. I also got caught in a drag racing sting in Detroit a few years later that cost time off of work and a fortune in my pocketbook. Add that in with the mass amounts of traffic tickets and the stupidity adds up.  

As young adults, we were out of control. It all seemed like fun and games, but when I recently lost a friend from street racing I realized that no one was invisible and this might be as dangerous as I was warned.

My advice to anyone out there, settle it at the Drag strip. 

 Advantages

• No reason for fighting because you can't cheat. (Leave Your Guns at Home)
• Professional safety help is there for the sole purpose of a racing accident. And you won't have to worry about people running away from the accident to stay out of trouble when you're in need of help.
• Doesn't cost that much to race, and a speeding plus drag racing ticket costs much more.
• You're more likely to stay alive and not injure innocent people.
• And usually, people are mostly friendly.