Check Out The Most Powerful Camaros From Each Generation [2024 Update]

First Generation (1967-1969): Yenko Camaro

Easily one of the most sought-after Camaros of all time. Regarding the fastest O.G Camaro, the ones ordered by noted Chevy dealer and racer Don Yenko take the cake. They were called COPO Camaros and came with two engine options.

The first one was L72 427 producing 425 hp and 460 lb-ft. it had solid lifters, cast iron heads, cast iron block mated to Positraction 4.10 rear end, and Muncie M21 4 Speed manual. It once ran 11.578 seconds at 119.04 mph as per MotorTrend.

Other options included Custom Yenko gauges, headers Stewart Warner tachometer, and hood pins while as standard you got HD suspension and brake upgrades. Only 201 were ever ordered, but actual production was around 175–176 units.

Now those looking to get their driver's license suspended opted for Fred Gibb's COPO 9560 which came with the mighty ZL1 all aluminum 427 producing 430hp/450 lb.-ft. It had forged steel rods, a reinforced main bearing, and an 850-cfm Holley carburetor

You could get it with 3 types of trannies, one auto, and two manuals. Namely, M40 Hydra Matic, M20 wide-ratio four-speed, and M21 close ratio 4 four-speed.

Other upgrades included HD suspension, 4.10:1 differential, and induction hood. Both Yenko and Gibbs Camaro are incredibly rare and can cost more than a million dollars in auction

Second Generation (1970-1981): 1970 Camaro Z28

The fastest of the standard-production 2nd-Gen Camaros was the 1970 Chevrolet Camaro with the Z28 package. Powered by a pre-emission 350-cubic-inch LT1 (5.7-liter) V8 engine producing 360 hp and 370 lb.-ft of torque, it had 11.0:1 CR and 780-cfm Holley four-barrel carbs.

You could pair it with a Muncie 4-speed or a Turbo Hydramatic 400. It also came with a Positraction 3.73:1, hoods tripes, and black grilles. Options included a 4.10 rear end and Rally Sport package which had chrome bumpers and a special front end.

C&D once managed to get a quarter mile done in 14.2 sec @ 100.3 mph while 60 mph came in less than 6 seconds as per its Vintage review. You could get one now for about $50,000.

Third Generation (1982-1992): 1990 Camaro IROC-Z

1980 was the last year the Camaro IROC-Z was made for the 1990 model year. As standard, they came with a 5.0L with EFI or Port injection.

However, most buyers opted for the TPI (Tuned Port Injection) 350 CDI 5.7 L V8 that made only 245 hp when mated to 4 Speed Auto. Thanks, to ever so cruel CAFE norms and the aftershocks of the Arab Oil Embargo.

As standard, the 1990 Camaro IROC-Z came with stabilizer bars, 15-inch Eagle GT rubber, special gauges and a black front grille. You could also get a Limited slip differential, all-around power disc brakes, and 16-inch Aluminum wheels.

MT ran a quarter mile at 14.74 seconds at 93.7 mph. A used one will set you back about $20,000 as per Classic.com

Fourth Generation (1992-2002): 1997 Camaro 30th Anniversary LT4 SS

Most people would say it's the Z28 but in reality the rare 1997 Camaro 30th Anniversary LT4 SS is the most powerful Camaro of 4th gen thanks to 330 hp 5.6 LT4 V8 tuned by SLP engineering that made 340 lb-ft.

Only 106 were ever made. A used is about $40,000 to $55,000 and is mostly available in auctions

It had a Miami-style white leather interior. Arctic white exterior and Hugger orange racing strips. The engine was mated to a 6-speed manual. It also had a Bilstein Ultra Sport Level III suspension package, SS exhaust, Torsen limited-slip differential, and forced induction hood.

It did a quarter mile in 13.9 sec at 100.9 mph in independent testing.

Fifth Generation (2010-2015): 2010 Camaro ZL1

The fifth-generation Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 came with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine producing 580 HP and 556 lb-ft of torque. The supercharger added 7 psi of boost while a revised twin clutch/twin flywheel transmission was made with Tremec and was available in either a 6-speed manual or automatic version.

Magnetic shocks, Brembo brakes, Goodyear Eagle F1, and cast iron differential rounded up the package. 2012 Camaro ZL1 was way quicker than its last-gen equivalent as it did 60 mph in 4.1 seconds and Standing ¼-mile in 12.3 sec @ 119 mph as per C&D.

The Z28 is also pretty fast but was mainly made to hunt apexes and ONLY had 505hp.

Sixth Generation (2016-Present): 2019 Camaro ZL1/1LE

The sixth-generation 2019 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 is the fastest Camaro ever made. Powered by a 6.2-liter supercharged LT4 V8 engine producing 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque.

The Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 with the 1LE package is a perfect performance package with track-ready handling. It also featured 20-inch forged aluminum wheels, 15.35-inch Brembo brakes, and a choice of a 6-speed manual or 10-speed automatic transmission.

If that is not enough, it set a Nurburgring lap record of 7:16:04 with the 1LE and 10-speed automatic; this is also faster than the 2014 Camaro Z28's time. It can easily do sub 5 seconds 0-60 and sub 11 sec 1/4 mile if you can get the launch on point.

They are rather affordable of the bunch and come at $60,000-$70,000 depending on condition.

Image Source- Brochure/AMCM