2002 Chevy Camaro

Model: Fallon Denean

Requesting that his 2002 Dick Harrell Edition Camaro be among the last few made turned out to be a smart move for Mike Herchick. As the end of the limited production run neared at GMMG's facilities, proprietor Matt Murphy wanted to shake the combination a bit with an optional phase v package. Matt rewarded herchick's affinity for GMMG special edition camaros (he also owns a Zl1 and a 35th anniversary performance edition) by making his first 454ci Dick harrell edition. the latest evolution of GMMG's supercar is badder than ever, cranking out 650 hp without breaking a sweat.

Before the former nhra super comp and bracket racer added GMMG's last creation to his scuderia of super rare f-bodies, the Georgia-based crew stuffed the biggest possible Gen iii motor into the fourth Gen in the very tradition of the special edition's namesake. in order to do so, a c5r was bored and honed to its limit before being stuffed with a callies 4.155-inch stroke forged crank, billet rods, and custom Je lightweight forged pistons. Je file fit rings, an ati harmonic balancer, heavy-duty timing chain, and one-piece coMp cams pushrods are cheap insurance for the labor-intensive big-cube build. a slightly larger 254/258-duration custom grind cam with a 112+4 lobe separation angle is specific to herchick's motor, while the same total engine airflow ported ls6 heads provide adequate air supply. the stainless steel 2.055 intake and 1.60 exhaust valves capital- ize on the enlarged and reshaped runners, carbon fiber airlid, holley aluminum intake, and ported throttle body. kooks stainless steel 1 7/8-inch race headers exhale for the mighty 454, also using a 3-inch Y-pipe with high- flow cats, an electric cutout, and, of course, a GMMG chambered after-cat. accel 36-lb injectors and a bbk pump provide the fuel prior to ignition by the stock coils and computer.

The lumpier cam and extra cubes make herchick's the second most powerful special edition car GMMG has produced to date, making almost 550 rear-wheel horsepower and 540 lb-ft of torque. having this kind of power makes herchick glad he optioned the Wolfe rollbar, strange chrome-moly driveshaft, and 12-bolt with 33-spline axles and 4.10 gear. like most of the other potent special editions, the soM camaro also uses a spec clutch and lightweight flywheel to engage the stock t-56 trans and stock hurst shifter. the interior is adorned with Dick harrell edition plaques, a white shifter ball knob, white face gauges, and controls for the line lock and electric cutout. herchick's camaro is one of only three others to sport white embroidered seats and suede inserts, which Mike requested out of adoration for his similarly optioned '69 copo camaro.

Like its predecessors, the 454 camaro benefits from GMMG's custom-tuned suspension and meaty wheel/tire package. eibach springs are specially made for a lowered stance and increased spring rate without bottoming out the low-slung fourth Gen. cues were taken from the 1le camaro, where the adjustable koni shocks and front sway bar (with heim joint endlinks) were lifted. uber-expensive fikse profil 13 in 18x11 and 18x12 sizes minimize the weight increase from the gargantuan 295/35/18 and 335/30/18 Michelin ps2 rubber that fill up the widened wheelwells from the sunoco-style wide-body kit. (the wide-body kit is exclusive to GMMG from GM performance Division to make these berger chevrolet wide-body camaros.) now that's a huge ... uh, contact patch. a set of subframe connectors and a random technology torque arm also help increase traction. Though the suspension is otherwise stock, rest assured this bad boy handles the curves like a champ.

This C5R-based 454 is a torque monster. Can you say 540 lb-ft at the wheels? A 12.5:1 compression makes all 650 crank horsepower come to life at the blip of the throttle, thanks to TEA ported LS6 heads, custom cam, Callies rotating assembly, and JE pistons. Kooks 1 7/8 long-tube race headers, an electric cutout, and a GMMG chambered exhaust give the supercar its familiar exhaust note.

Model Fallon Denean was able to find another use for the rearview mirror, besides watching the competition disappear in it.