'10 Super Duty 455 LPE has devised a 455ci surprise for Pontiac true believers. This illustration is exactly what you think it is. With a trick Shaker hood, some fender bulges, and a new fascia, LPE has transformed the Camaro into what Pontiac might have pulled off if GM were run by gearheads. And the 455 reference is much more than a decal, with a true 455ci Gen IV motor sitting between the fenders, just to complete the Pontiac vibe. The car is still a work in progress as we write this, but if LPE can promise 750 hp from a 427, imagine what it can do with a 455. V-6 Blower Camaro If a heavy insurance premium is preventing you from buying a new Camaro SS, don't give up just yet. LPE is developing a bolt-on centrifugal supercharger, and we drove its maiden test ride. LPE is aiming for 450 hp for this direct-injected package. One of LPE's resident engineers, Jason Haines, tells us LPE can install a complete supercharger package in roughly two days, but it takes additional time to test the vehicle and verify the power on the chassis dyno before releasing the car. The base supercharger package on an LS 3 Camaro is worth 570 flywheel horsepower if you include the optional Corsa exhaust. You even get a three-year warranty.One of LPE's resident engineers, Jason Haines, tells us LPE can install a complete superch The beauty of a supercharged V-6 Camaro is your insurance agent doesn't have to know. Drivetrain Strain While too much horsepower is exciting, keep in mind that the new Camaro also rolls on an IRS. While that makes churning corners more exciting, word is that all that extra torque puts the IRS in jeopardy. First of all, tall 20-inch tires and wheels are heavy, which puts more load on those IRS halfshafts. But the biggest problem is axle tramp. LPE is working on a cure that includes stiffer mount bushings for the cradle and spherical rod ends to minimize unwanted movement. Plus, LPE now offers heavier axleshafts that will no doubt help to minimize breakage. The company's also working on a larger-diameter ring gear set that will grow the stock 8.58-inch diameter up to something around 9.5 inches. The factory intentionally has an axle cross section of different stiffness to reduce axle tramp, but it is this smaller diameter that becomes the obvious weak point (arrow). LPE custom-builds stronger axleshafts that also feature different thicknesses and stiffnesses while eliminating the taper area to increase strength.The factory intentionally has an axle cross section of different stiffness to reduce axle tramp, but it is this smaller diameter that becomes the obvious weak point (arrow). LPE custom-builds stronger axleshafts that also feature different thicknesses and stiffnesses while eliminating the taper area to increase strength.The factory intentionally has an axle cross section of different stiffness to reduce axle This is the stock Camaro IRS cradle. The rubber mounts and locating bushings contribute to axle hop, and LPE is working on improvements that will include spherical rod ends and stiffer bushings. Even a stock Camaro will axle tramp and break stuff if you abuse it.This is the stock Camaro IRS cradle. The rubber mounts and locating bushings contribute to « | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | » | View Full Article By Car Craft Staff Enjoyed this Post? Subscribe to our RSS Feed, or use your favorite social media to recommend us to friends and colleagues!
