The Car: 1999 Chevrolet Camaro Z28
The Goal: Test the latest supercar GM small block, the LS7 with custom controller, fully mechanical throttlebody, and MEFI-4b calibrator — soon to be released by GM Performance Parts.

As soon as the GM Performance Parts LS7 crate engine was released, everyone wanted to know one thing: How do I get one in my Camaro? Here's your answer — a 505+ horsepower Gen III Camaro that screams to redline (set at 7200 rpm) with the most sophisticated small block Chevy ever offered by GM Performance Parts.

Our engineers started with a hardtop 1999 Camaro Z28 just like the thousands of F-bodies that are out on the streets of America. They pulled an LS7 crate engine from inventory, and then the GMPP engineers got to work fitting the ZO6 Corvette power plant into the Camaro. The dry-sump oiling system is still there, and a custom GM Performance Parts engine fuel management system controls the rev-happy pushrod engine.

The GMPP engineers were able to keep the stock LS7 pan, but that meant that they would have to accommodate for the dry-sump oiling system that the LS7 comes with. The battery was placed in the trunk, and two inches were sectioned out of the stock oil tank. The new oil tank now recides in the position of the vacated battery. A BMR cradle (or K-member) was used to physically hold the LS7 in position with standard LS engine mounts.

The front of the LS7 is dressed with a ZO6 Corvette A/C compressor and an ATI damper/balancer for clearance and to adapt F-body accessory drive. The stock 58x reluctor wheel remains. The stock LS1 air intake (with SS hood scoop) was retained with slight modifications to adapt to the LS7 throttlebody. Our engineers used a custom GM Performance Parts wiring harness and their own custom calibrations for the prototype GMPP controller.

Other parts that were used include a set of Kook's long tube headers and a Racepac Dash. Since the LS1 and LS7 weigh almost the same, major front end suspension changes did not have to be performed. The GMPP engineers did add Koni struts and shocks, but that was just to replace the older units and improve handling. Support for this entire conversion project came from our friends at Thomson Automotive, Inc. (Redford, MI).

Of course, the rest of the drivetrain had to be capable of handling the increase in power. A T-56 Tremec transmission takes the power to a new Strange S-60 rear end. Once those modifications were completed, the car was ready for testing.

With a larger exhaust and reworked calibrations by the GM Performance Parts engineers, this LS7 makes quite a bit more than the factory-rated 505 horsepower. On the street, it exudes power and confidence, and on the proving grounds, it is a true supercar. Watch for a complete feature article and drag test of this monster in an upcoming issue of GM High Tech Performance magazine with editor Rick Jensen behind the wheel at Milan Dragway!

As for the future of the black '99 Camaro, the engineers tell us that they are putting together a new LSX-based engine for it. We'll let you know how they make out.

Engine: GM Performance Parts 505-horsepower LS7 crate engine (17802397)
Engine Calibrations: MEFI-4b based controller with custom spark and fuel tables by GM Performance Parts (This part coming soon!).
Throttle Control: Mechanical Cable Throttle Body (with production cable)
Oiling System: custom adaptation of the LS7 dry-sump system
Exhaust: Kook's Custom Headers; Magnaflow Cat-Back
Transmission: 6-speed Tremec T-56 manual
Rear End: Strange Engineering S-60
Rims: C5 ZO6 Corvetted painted Flat Black
Tires: Goodyear Eagle F1
Paint: Hot Rod magazine-inspired Flat Black Rat Rod

This list of modifications is in no way intended to be a guide of "how to fit an LS7 into your Camaro." It simply serves as a minimal suggested list of parts that you should consider before taking on this project yourself.