As Camaro exits, SVE serves up 1500-hp Yenko variant

Specialty Vehicle Engineering (SVE), the current caretaker of the Yenko trademark, is not letting Chevrolet’s lovable Camaro go quietly into the night. Following a handful of Yenko Camaros built in years prior, the company just announced three versions of the 2024 Camaro: one with 1150 hp, another with 1200, and a range-topping model that offers a whopping 1500 ponies—provided you’ve filled the tank with Sunoco 260GT race gas.

Camaro loyalists know the Yenko name thanks to Don Yenko, the hero who, in 1967, installed Chevrolet’s 427-inch big-block V-8 into the Camaro—an engine Chevy did not offer in that model. Even today, cars with Yenko badges are found on muscle cars (or the occasional SUV) packing outlandish power.

Each of the Yenko/SC Camaros built by SVE starts as an SS 1LE, a one-stop factory-built shop for all of the performance goodies in the Camaro catalog combined with Chevy’s workhorse 6.2-liter LT1 V-8. Given this foundation, all three SVE models (or “stages”) get magnetic ride control, track-tuned suspension, and coolers for oil, transmission, and differential, plus an electronic limited-slip diff and Recaro performance seats.

For stages I and II, SVE pulled the 6.2-liter LT1, upped its displacement to 6.8 liters (416 cubic inches), and slapped a supercharger atop it. Other upgrades include a forged steel crankshaft, H-beam rods, forged aluminum pistons, ported high-flow LT4 heads, upgraded fuel system, ARP head and main studs, and a larger throttle body. Once reinstalled in a Camaro, that beastly powerplant exhales through a custom stainless steel exhaust. Final power figures, on 93 octane: Stage 1 will bring you 1150 hp and 910 lb-ft of torque. Stage II gets you 1200 hp and 1000 lb-ft. Stage I is offered exclusively with the Camaro’s 10-speed automatic, while Stage II gets the six-speed manual as its sole gearbox choice.

The kingmaker in this group, however, is the Yenko/SC stage III, which takes things up quite a few notches. Whereas stages I and II make do with an uprated version of the LT1, the stage III ditches that engine entirely. Instead, it cribs the iron-block 6.6-liter V-8 found in GM’s heavy-duty pickups. From there, SVE goes to town: Displacement is increased to 7.0 liters, that magic 427 cubic-inch displacement figure you’ll remember from Yenkos of old.

Along with a supercharger, that forged steel crank, forged aluminum pistons, and more, the stage III car gets I-beam rods, an upgraded valvetrain, a revised induction system to suck in more air, and a variable boost control system. All that to keep 1500 hp and 1350 lb-ft of torque in check. (Again, provided you’re on race gas. Figures will be slightly lower on 93 octane.)

Stage III will also be offered exclusively with a six-speed manual, though the gearbox receives a high-capacity triple-disc clutch system and a lightened flywheel to mitigate some of the abuse taken by the Tremec ‘box. (That clutch and flywheel package can also be optioned onto the stage II car.)

These cars will be easy to identify thanks to a host of exterior and interior flourishes. On the outside: A body-color carbon-fiber hood will feature an exposed hood scoop and the YSC (Yenko Super Car, stylized sYc) logo; Yenko crest badges for the grille, fenders, and the rear panel; and a cowl badge denoting your car’s peak output, rendered either in chrome and red or gloss black and red. You can take it a step further by springing for the side stripe graphics that will adorn the hood and bodyside fenders, available in 10 stock colors, or your own tone for an added cost.

The stage III car gets a high-wing rear spoiler, and all stages receive lightweight forged wheels and Nitto race rubber.

Inside, you’ll enjoy special Yenko/SC doorsill plates, sYc embroidered headrests, Yenko floormats, a special crest with peak output and the car’s build number.

SVE plans to build 50 editions each of stages I and II and 100 of the stage III cars. They’ll be available exclusively through GM dealers in Canada and the United States. We’ve reached out to SVE for pricing information and will update this story when we hear back.

If you’re living in California, bad news: These menacing machines are not emissions-legal in the Golden State, and can only be used in sanctioned motorsports events there. Everywhere else, have at it.

Would you take one of SVE’s Yenko/SC Camaros over the just announced 1000-hp Hennessey Exorcist “Final Edition” Camaros? Let us know in the comments below.

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