To quote one of the great TV characters of the late 20th century, John “Hannibal” Smith:

“I love it when a plan comes together.”

We have to believe that the folks at Chevy Performance were thinking the same thing when it came to the latest addition to the COPO Camaro program.

2022 Chevrolet COPO Camaro
(Image/Chevrolet Performance)

Back in the summer of 2021, news broke that Chevrolet Performance was adding a 572ci big block V8 to the COPO Camaro options sheet. A few months later, Chevy Performance pulled the wraps off the ZZ632—its all-new 1,000 horsepower naturally aspirated 632 cubic inch big block.

Coincidence? Well, fast forward a year and—guess what—you can now get 632 cubic inches of Chevy big block goodness under the hood of a 2023 COPO Camaro.

(Cue Hannibal’s cigar.)

The 632 replaces the aforementioned 572 and is one of a trio of engine options for the 2023 COPO Camaro program, which includes the LSX-derived naturally aspirated COPO 427 and supercharged 350 cubic inch powerplants.

While Chevy Performance is mum on the exact performance specs of the 632-powered COPO Camaro, we have to assume the engine is similar to the ZZ632 crate engine we saw last year. Though Chevy may be careful with the numbers to ensure it can still compete in the appropriate racing classes with the likes of the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet and Challenger Mopar Drag Pack.

We sat down with Chevrolet Performance’s Bill Martens to get the full scoop on the ZZ632 for a podcast last year. You can listen to it here:

Of course, now we have to remind you that the COPO Camaro is part of the Chevy Performance factory-backed race program and, as such, is intended for track use only. That means it doesn’t carry a traditional VIN, so you won’t be able to title/register one for the street.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t get the ZZ632 for your street car—you can buy an assembled ZZ632 long block crate engine right now and plunk it in anything your fabrication skills will allow.

And if the idea of a 632 cubic inch big block-powered COPO Camaro scratches your itch, you can order one online from Chevy Performance (just make sure your $15,000 deposit check is ready).

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