Most people forget Chevrolet even sold a turbocharged four-cylinder Camaro. One owner from Iowa just made sure nobody forgets again.
His heavily modified 2.0-liter Camaro has officially reset the record for the quickest four-cylinder Camaro quarter-mile run, blasting through the strip in just 9.768 seconds at 137 mph. The pass happened at US 131 Motorsports Park with help from Michigan-based tuning shop ZZPerformance.
That is absurd performance for a car that originally left the factory with just 275 horsepower. In stock form, the turbocharged LTG-powered Camaro was often overshadowed by the V6 and V8 models, though this build proves the little four-cylinder had far more potential hiding underneath.
The record-setting run also highlights how far modern turbo four-cylinder performance has evolved. Ten-second street cars used to be terrifyingly expensive V8 monsters. Now, a boosted four-cylinder Camaro is comfortably running deep into the nines.
The Camaro Already Held The Previous Record
Owner Jake Starr was not chasing the record from scratch. He already held the title for the quickest four-cylinder Camaro after previously running a 9.92-second pass.
This latest run shaved even more time off the record thanks to a brutally effective launch. The Camaro reportedly cut a 1.36-second 60-foot time, helping it rocket out of the hole before storming through the quarter-mile traps at 137 mph.
Like most successful drag builds, the combination matters just as much as outright power. Sticky Mickey Thompson drag tires, a properly prepped track surface, and precise tuning all played a major role in the record-setting pass.
The result is especially impressive considering the platform itself was never designed with extreme drag racing in mind. Chevrolet positioned the turbo Camaro primarily as an affordable entry-level sports coupe rather than a pure straight-line machine.
Nearly 600 Horsepower From A Tiny Turbo Four
Back in October, ZZPerformance put the Camaro on the dyno where it reportedly produced 593 horsepower and 511 lb-ft of torque. That is more than double the LTG engine’s original factory output.
The setup includes a Xona Rotor 7164 turbocharger paired with a 3D-printed exhaust manifold and a Tial wastegate. Fuel system upgrades include larger injectors, supplemental fueling, and a ZL1 low-pressure fuel pump to keep the boosted four-cylinder fed under full load.
Internally, the engine received forged pistons, upgraded cams, stronger valve springs, reinforced balance shafts, and heavy-duty head studs. The engine was also bored slightly larger to improve durability and performance.
Power goes through a heavily modified 8L45 automatic transmission built specifically for drag racing. According to reports, the upgraded transmission setup was one of the first of its kind for this platform.
The Little LTG Engine Was Better Than People Remember
The turbocharged 2.0-liter Camaro never got the respect of the V8-powered SS or supercharged ZL1. Even the V6 model often received more attention despite the LTG’s strong torque output.
From the factory, the four-cylinder Camaro produced 275 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque. Interestingly, it actually made slightly more torque than the naturally aspirated V6 Camaro at the time.
The engine also responded extremely well to modifications thanks to turbocharging. Modern forced-induction four-cylinders often deliver huge gains once upgraded turbos, fueling systems, and proper tuning enter the picture.
That is exactly why platforms like this continue attracting dedicated enthusiasts. Smaller turbo engines can produce massive performance without requiring the larger displacement and weight of traditional V8 builds.
Proof That Unusual Builds Are King
Part of what makes this Camaro so entertaining is that it completely ignores expectations. Nobody expects an entry-level four-cylinder Camaro to outrun serious V8 drag cars, which makes the entire build even cooler.
ZZPerformance has built a reputation around extracting huge performance from overlooked GM platforms, and this Camaro perfectly fits that philosophy. Their “Go Fast, Not Broke” slogan suddenly makes a lot more sense after watching a 2.0-liter Camaro run a nine-second pass.
The record also raises an interesting what-if question. Chevrolet’s newer 2.7-liter TurboMax four-cylinder truck engine already produces massive torque in factory form, and enthusiasts have already started wondering what something like that could do in a future Camaro platform.
For now, though, this little LTG-powered sixth-generation Camaro stands as proof that modern four-cylinder performance cars are capable of doing things that would have sounded ridiculous only a decade ago.