Navy Chief Is Selling the Ultimate Chevy Camaro SS Restomod
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Captain Zach Marcus, who has done stints in Iraq and Afghanistan, is a very determined fellow. When he’s not on duty, Marcus is pursuing his hobby, which for more than 10 years has been building the ultimate 2010 Camaro 2SS/RS. With active duty ahead and plans to buy a house, his “Sinful Camaro” was recently offered on eBay.
Marcus is hoping to get at least $75,000 for his tricked-out rig. But that wouldn’t pay back the more than $120,000 he’s invested. “I bought it new when I was 25,” Marcus said. “I saved up for my first big purchase. The car was ordered with every option available, including a sunroof. I got it loaded and then proceeded to tear it apart.”
Check out the trunk. The paintwork is beautifully executed.
700-HP Camaro Upgrade, No Turbo
Marcus replaced nearly every feature except the power windows. The general category for this car is restomod - opens in new window or tab., although that doesn’t do justice to this build.
Marcus says it’s the most powerful street-legal, naturally aspirated, fifth-generation Camaro ever built, with more than 700 horsepower. There was a lot of trial-and-error getting the car set up. But Captain Marcus says it’s all dialed in now and running sweetly. He said:
The biggest thing was doing it without turbos, but still having a lot of power when I hit the gas. It was a lot of work. The ZL1 and Z28 were not out yet. I put on the first dry-sump system for these cars, and I think it’s superior to what’s on the Z28.
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Starting with a bare 8.1-liter RHS LSx tall-deck race block, the motor was made potent with a Callies Billet Ultra CCW LS1 4,600 crankshaft and the same company’s connecting rods. Other modifications include:
- WCCH All-Pro LS7 heads
- An ARE dry sump system
- Custom HKE cam and hydraulic roller springs
The Camaro received a custom dyno tuning. It runs on E85 ethanol or pump gas.
The engine is set up for nitrous if you want to go that route. It’s connected to a manual six-speed RPM TR6060 transmission with a Hurst short-throw shifter and McLeod twin-disc racing clutch, coupled to a Gforce nine-inch rear conversion kit.
$120,000 of Camaro Enhancements
If ever there was a car with “too much to list,” this is it. Here are a few more highlights:
- Focal Audio seven-speaker sound system with Pioneer NEX 4400 double-DIN touchscreen (including Bluetooth and navigation)
- Sparco seats - opens in new window or tab. (with the originals retained)
- Ride Tech HQ adjustable coilovers upfront
- Brembo four-piston brakes with aluminum calipers and Hawk performance ceramic brake pads
Marcus laments that the custom paint job doesn’t show up all that well in photographs. There is hand airbrushing with a pirate/swords/sorcery/grinning skulls theme by Wess Studios - opens in new window or tab. on the doors, under the hood, and in the trunk.
That complements a full body kit, special vented fenders, and an MPD1 fiberglass cowl-induction hood with functional ram intake. Despite all this, the car isn’t gaudy. The details are subtle.
The smokin’ Camaro sits on custom Rohana RC1- satin black rims for the street, and there are separate wheels and tires for the drag strip.
Award Winner
Marcus did most of the work himself. There are 16,000 miles on the Camaro (2,000 on the motor), mostly accumulated moving it back and forth between race shops.
Captain Marcus says he’s had the Camaro appraised at $103,000. It comes with a Lark racetrack trailer for the show circuit. It was at the SEMA show in 2012, and won first place at the Coronado Speed Festival four years in a row, from 2014 to 2017. Show or go, that’s your choice.
The Sinful Camaro puts all that power on the ground without turbocharging.
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This article is meant to provide general guidance only. Automotive maintenance, repair, upgrade, and installation may depend on vehicle-specifics such as make and model. Always consult your owner's manual, repair guide for specific information for your particular vehicle and consider a licensed auto-care professional's help as well, particularly for advance repairs.