The Camaro SS Trans AM TA4 Race Car Shines at SEMA

This Chevrolet Camaro SS was transformed into a Trans Am racer at SEMA with ZL1 1LE parts.

The Chevrolet Camaro SS shown here is owned by Trans Am racer Todd Napieralski. It made its on-track debut earlier last year, but this road car-turned-race car is making its Sin City debut this week at the 2017 SEMA Show. By showcasing Napieralski’s race car, Chevrolet Performance is highlighting how components from the ZL1 1LE can transform a road-going SS into a competitive road race car.

Todd Napieralski built his 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS for the Trans Am TA4 class last year with help from Chevrolet Performance and Total Performance Racing. When this race car was being developed, the new 2018 ZL1 1LE hadn’t been introduced yet, so many of the components used on this Camaro SS race car were still in their preproduction stage. However, when the 1LE components were added to the Camaro SS, a world-class, production-based race car was born.

Todd Napieralski’s Camaro SS Race Car

Todd Napieralski 2016 Chevrolet Camaro SS race car began its life as a basic production model, with the 6.2L LT1 V8, the six-speed manual transmission, the Brembo performance brakes and a limited-slip differential. The drivetrain and braking system has remained unchanged, so Napieralski is competing with the same 455hp that comes in all new Camaro SS models, but a handful of ZL1 1LE components have made this car far more capable through the turns.

First, the ZL1 1LE-Spec Multimatic DSSV Lowering and Handling Suspension Upgrade System (PN 84352121) replaces the standard suspension setup of the Camaro SS. This includes the Multimatic dampers at all four corners, new front and rear springs and the ZL1 front sway bar. This reduces the ride height by 10mm, but with a 245% increase in front spring stiffness, body roll is greatly reduced during periods of hard cornering.

Next, Chevrolet Performance added the ZL1 1LE-Spec Suspension Upgrade System (PN 84352119). This package complements Multimatic DSSV Lowering and Handling Suspension Upgrade System with new front ride links, front handling links, rear upper and lower trailing links, rear knuckles, stiffer bushings and stiffer ball joints. These items stiffen up the chassis, leading to a 4% reduction in body roll compared to an SS with only the Multimatic Lowering and Handling package.

Also, to improve rear suspension deflection levels, this Camaro SS race car is fitted with the ZL1-spec solid-mounted rear cradle mounts while the ZL1 rear spoiler helps reduce high speed lift.

All of the components mentioned above are currently available for purchase from Chevrolet Performance.

ZL1 Concept Components

To complete the TA4 racing package, Todd Napieralski’s Camaro SS has a handful of concept parts from the Camaro ZL1 1LE. This includes the front fascia, the front fenders, the grille, the splitter, the dive planes and the heat extractor hood. These items don’t have a part number for direct fitment for the Camaro SS, but with a little fabrication work, all of these body bits will bolt up to any 6^th gen car.

When the whole package is assembled, this Camaro SS is a good enough race car to run at the front of the Trans Am TA4 class, so if you have a new LT1-powered Chevy muscle car and you like racing around turns – following this build can convert your road-going car into a great road racer.

Check out the video below for a look at this TA4 race car in action!

Images: Chris Clark via GM Media

Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com