Jackass: 1969 Camaro gets ZR1 heart transplant

The 1969 Camaro is one of the most iconic pony cars, and there are plenty of '69s on the road, many of which have been tweaked to provide more power than the impressive stock 427 big-block V8. However, none have been outfitted with the most powerful production GM engine in its 100-year history; the 638-hp LS9. That was true until the Jackass was completed.
The Jackass was constructed by GM engineer and Pro Touring stud Mark Stielow in 20 months. And the modified '69 Camaro is more than just a supercharged V8. Stielow added the wheels, tires, and carbon ceramic brakes from the ZR1, along with an Art Morrison subframe and a Tremec T56 tranny from a Dodge Viper. The result? 511 horsepower at the rear wheels, and a price tag that surpasses a loaded ZR1. While that's quite a bit of coin, but someone had to do it first and it appears Stielow's done it right the first time.
[Source: Inside Line]












Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Hike15 10:02AM (6/02/2009)
Why is that car such an ugly color?
everything else seems perfect....but that color
Reply
aj121489 11:11AM (6/02/2009)
The color and the wheels aren't doing it for me. I guess if I had to change one it would be the wheels, but I would've definitely picked a different color to start with...
Quantumphysics 10:03AM (6/02/2009)
I believe the car can now be called:
SUICIDE MACHINE.
Reply
AutoFreak 10:07AM (6/02/2009)
More like hell on wheels.
dave0mary 10:07AM (6/02/2009)
"427 SMALL block"??? Uhm . IF you got a 427 Camaro, that would be a big block. All others were small block.
Reply
Mike 10:16AM (6/02/2009)
The "69" Camaro 427 was a Big Block but the 427 that's in the ZR1 is carverd out of what would have been and still is a small block. It's strange but true. The same but different.
mxzhonkey 10:51AM (6/02/2009)
umm @mike
the zr1 engine is not the 427. the 7 litre in the z06 is what you are thinking about.
the 6.2 litre is about 378 cubic inches
but yeah the original 427 was a big block, it needs a correction
Polly Prissy Pants 10:53AM (6/02/2009)
"The 1969 Camaro is one of the most iconic pony cars, and there are plenty of '69s on the road, many of which have been tweaked to provide more power than the impressive stock 427 small-block V8."
The sentence refers to the 1969 Camaro and it's stock 427 small block, an engine that never existed. And the 6.2 liter LS9 motor doesn't displace 427ci anyway.
FousString85 10:13AM (6/02/2009)
While I don't think those wheel work on that car, them combined with the brakes do offer the perfect hint to whats under the hood.... like it.
Reply
evilspoons 10:13AM (6/02/2009)
Now there's a recipe for tire smoke!
If only driving a classic like this didn't mean accepting 1960s safety standards.
Reply
Joe 10:25AM (6/02/2009)
Safety standards aren't the point of this car. If you... The point...
Oh, what's the use. If you don't get it, you don't get it. Besides, it has a roll cage. That's all the safety I need.
Alex 10:14AM (6/02/2009)
Bonkers! Gotta do something about the wheels though. I know they are from the ZR1 but they look out of place on a '69 Camaro.
Reply
Avinash machado 10:15AM (6/02/2009)
Maybe this car will be sold at Barret-Jackson for several million a few years later.
Reply
hosss 10:40AM (6/02/2009)
Bet this is going to handle well. Like an oil tanker going backwards!!
Reply
Mr.K 8:15AM (6/03/2009)
If the suspension is set up correctly it'll handle just fine. There are many F-bodies that autocross and handle well.
ozcanozkaya 1:15PM (6/02/2009)
the ride of demon!
Reply
bigMIKE 11:09AM (6/02/2009)
Here's hoping that ain't the final color. Surely, it is a base coat or a tinted primer or something. Maybe they will be using a variation of Atomic Orange.
Reply
Todd 11:18AM (6/02/2009)
Why are people so impressed with this car?!?!?!
Sure the LS9 is a kick ass motor, but HOW MANY GEN I CAMAROS WITH LSx MOTORS ARE THERE?
There are tons of those cars over at Lateral G. You just go look, 3/4 of the pro touring cars are Camaros with LSx motors. You want impressive? That 2jzgte swap in that '69 or a Twin Turbo Small Block Ford into a 68.
Reply
vipercookie 11:28AM (6/02/2009)
I would prefer to use the LS7, its the best sounding V8 I have ever herd. The thing sounds angry just idling.
Reply
blackrosedragon 12:04PM (6/02/2009)
Impressive, yet for some reason just feels way too over done to me. I love camaros, especially the third gen, but something about this, just seems.... wrong or out of place.
Reply