Manoli Katakis 
General Motors has a battalion of performance drivers that have achieved amazing lap times on tracks like Virginia International Raceway and the mighty Nürburgring. One of them of particular note can be only described as a Yoda equivalent of the group. The Jedi Master that oversees the rest of the group. This person is Mark Stielow, and he has also made a name for himself outside of GM’s Milford Proving Grounds. He’s also the godfather of the pro touring movement – particularly when it comes to the Chevrolet Camaro.
Over several decades, Stielow has been bolting on modern hardware from the Chevrolet Performance catalog onto late-model muscle cars, and selling his projects to clients when they’re done. One of his more famous builds is the ‘Red Devil’ 1960 Camaro muscle car, which featured an LS9 supercharged V8 from a C6 Corvette ZR1 with LS7 bits that put the displacement at 7-liters. But we think his current project might end up getting more recognition.
Behold what’s being called the ‘Camaro LT5,’ and you can probably guess where it gets the name from. According to the GM engineer, the donor car is a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro, and the plan is to wedge a 6.2L LT5 supercharged crate engine found only in the C7 Corvette ZR1. Except it won’t produce the standard 755 horsepower, but closer to 900 horsepower.
Getting this to happen will not be an easy task for the uninitiated, but that’s not to worry in this case. Plus, a pair of Walbro Hellcat fuel pumps will help. While the standard LT5 engine has just one (large) fuel pump, it won’t be enough for the desired performance Stielow is looking to achieve. So, according to his build log, the Camaro LT5 will have the stock GM fuel pump controller running one pump, and a VaporWorx controller running the second pump. According to Mark, this will “keep the crate controller (E99) ECM happy,” and the stock GM fuel control module will “not carry enough current to control two pumps.” More cooling will also be added to prevent heat issues with the higher output.
While Stielow is handling all things mechanical, it appears work was handed off to Sled Alley Hot Rods for body work and paint. A roll cage has also been installed, and the car will be finished with ‘LT5’ badge work. It’s estimated that the Chevrolet Camaro LT5 will be ready in time for the 2020 SEMA Show. If there will actually be one, that is.
I’d really like to get my hands on a 1960 Camaro wouldn’t you? The engine that they are referring to at the beginning was an ls7 based with a ZR1 super charger if I recall correctly.