In 1969, the Camaro Z/28 was all about firsts.
The DZ 302 engine was designed specifically for SCCA’s Trans Am Class. To hit the 5.0L displacement limit for the class, Chevy stuck a 283 crank in a 327 block to destroke it to 302 c.i.d. and gave it domed forged pistons to hit 11:1 compression. The engine was only rated at 290 horsepower, but came with the best factory heads and internals available. Simply putting headers and a tune could bring it close to 400 horsepower at over 7000 rpm, plus the car offered nearly unlimited potential to customize.
And customize is exactly what Mike Francis did—though we’d say he took it quite a bit further when he modified his Z/28 into a Sportsman drag race car.
He purchased the ’69 Camaro in September 2018, and wasted no time getting started.
“It immediately went in the shop and I made a lot of changes to suit me and to be able to drive it on the street for short distances,” Francis said. He added a 608 cubic-inch big block engine that cranks 989 horsepower, a custom fabricated aluminum dash, and a mild steel custom built roll cage.
He completed the car like he drives—fast—with only an eight-month turnaround time.
“I have always enjoyed going fast,” Francis said. “I grew up with my dad’s 1967 Coronet R/T 440 Magnum car and I guess it all spawned from that. I did drive it quite a bit, but my dad ended up giving it to my older brother, who wasn’t as much of a fast-car guy. Dad eventually told me the reason he didn’t give it to me was that he only had one young son and didn’t want to risk losing me to a fast car.”
Great advice that we’re glad Francis seems to have heartily ignored. He has almost 10 rebuilds under his belt—all but one Camaros and Corvettes.
FAST SPECS
Engine
- 608 cubic inch engine making approximately 989 horsepower on Methanol
- Dart Big M Block Crower; 4.50″ stroke crank
- JE pistons
- Eagle H-beam connecting rods
- Solid roller camshaft; .775″/.763″ lift; 288°/298° duration @ .050
- Brodix Sonny’s port matched intake manifold
- Brodix BB4 CNC cylinder heads; 24 degree
- 1450 CFM methanol carburetor
- MSD Pro Billet distributor
- COMP Cams belt drive
- 13-quart oil pan
Exhaust
- Custom 2 3/8″ headers with 4.5 inch collectors
- Flowmaster Outlaw II fender exit mufflers
Transmission
- BTE Pro Sportsman Powerglide with 1.80 low gear
- BTE Pro torque converter; 5,000 RPM stall
Chassis
- Custom mild steel roll bar cage with 2″ x 3″ tube chassis
- Narrowed and braced 9 inch Ford rear axle
- Mark Williams aluminum third member
- Strange 40-spline gun drilled axles
- 4:30 ring and pinion gear set
- Mark Williams spool
- Stroud spring launcher parachute with custom built mount
- Rhodes Race Cars wheelie bars
Suspension and Brakes
- 4-Link with Strange double adjustable coil over shocks
- Rhodes Race Cars anti-roll bar
- Strange front struts
- Strange disc brakes with 4-piston calipers and slotted rotors
- Manual rack and pinion steering
Wheels and Tires
- Weld Racing black anodized AlumaStar 2.0 wheels on Moroso D52 tires
- Weld Racing black anodized double beadlock AlumaStar 15 x 15 wheels
- Hoosier 32 x 14.50 rear drag slicks
- Mickey Thompson 32 x 17.50 ET Street rear tires for street use
- Glasstek fiberglass front end
- Glasstek fiberglass 6 inch cowl hood
- Harwood Marguard Lexan windshield
- Custom roll down windows
- Mercedes Arctic Silver paint with PPG Perfect purple stripes
Interior
- Kirkey Racing drag race seats
- Simpson Performance Cam Lock five-point harness
- Fabricated aluminum tin work and full wheel tubs
- AutoMeter gauges
Performance
- Best E.T: low 8 second
- MPH: 150-plus
Special thanks to:
His wife, Lella Francis, and David Hayes
Real nice