Are Camaro SS Supercharged? All You Need to Know Before the Upgrade

About Camaro SS

The first thing we need to address is the name. When Camaro was introduced in 1966, it came in two different versions — Super Sport and Rally Sport. The Z/28 was a high-performance series, and it was added a couple of months later.

So, the first Super Sport or SS arrived at the same time as the standard Camaro. However, the company abandoned this version in 1972, which was essentially the second generation of Camaro. While the model returned in 1996, the design was significantly changed from the original one.

We can take a look at the evolution of Camaro since the first model was introduced:

• First-gen from 1967 to 1969
• Second-gen from 1970 to 1981
• Third-gen from 1982 to 1992
• Fourth-gen from 1993 to 2002
• Fifth-gen from 2003 to 2015
• Sixth-gen from 2016 to present

As design changed over the years, so did engines. With each generation of Camaro, there were a couple of different models of engines.

First-gen	Second-gen	Fourth-gen	Fifth-gen	Sixth-gen
396 cu in (6.5 L)	396 cu in (6.5 L)	LT1 (5.7 L)	LS3 (6.2 L)	LT1 (6.2 L)
350 cu in (5.7 L)	350 cu in (6.5 L)	LS1 (5.7 L)	L99 (6.2 L)

The differences in stock engines mean that you will need to get a different supercharger. Since blowers are not designed to be universal, you will need to know the exact model of your car if you are hoping to find a suitable supercharger. Fortunately, there aren’t many differences between them, and each generation that had the SS trim level offered a maximum of two different engines.

The current models in the sixth-gen all have the LT1 engine, even though there are two different trim models (1SS and 2SS).

Is the Camaro SS Supercharged by Default?

No. None of the Camaro SS models are supercharged. The SS trim level was never designed to be a high-performance vehicle (the idea behind it was to compete with Ford Mustang).

The Camaro is a pony car. It’s affordable, and it doesn’t pack a punch. At least in theory. The first generation offered a high-performance model, but it was Z/28 instead.

Of course, since we are talking about the sixties, the Z/28 wasn’t supercharged either. The only way you can find a Camaro SS with a blower is if you install it by yourself. There are, however, a few models of Camaro that had superchargers as a stock option.

This includes:

• Camaro ZL1
• COPO Camaro

In theory, one could say that the ZL1 is a version of the Camaro SS. The model is based on the SS series, and it was introduced in 2012. However, the ZL1 has a lot of different parts, and at least thirty percent of those are unique to this model. The design of ZL1 is rather similar to Camaro SS, but it is designed to be a high-performance version.

The ZL1 is available today as well, and it continues to follow the changes to the SS series. When it was introduced in 2012, the ZL1 had a 6.2-liter LSA V8 engine, and it was supercharged. The second model, COPO Camaro, is a limited edition version designed specifically for drag racing.

So, basic versions of Camaro SS don’t arrive with a supercharger, but you can still find the high-performance edition of SS named ZL1. The current series of ZL1 Camaros have an LT4 6.2-liter V8 engine. But if you own a standard Camaro SS, you can easily install a supercharger in it.

How to Find the Right Supercharger and Installation

In order to find a supercharger perfect for your car, you will need to know the type of engine that’s inside the vehicle. We already mentioned before that there are several different models of Camaro SS, and you will need to know the exact year and type of engine. Fortunately, the process here is a lot simpler compared to other vehicles.

In the majority of cases, there are more than two engines you can find, and they are often replaced even during the single generation of that model. But things are a bit different with the Camaro SS. Of course, the older your car is, the more challenging it will be to find the right supercharger.

If you still aren’t sure whether the supercharger will be the right fit, all you need to do is check the description of the blower. The manufacturer will always write details about fitment, and you can just see whether your model is on the list.

Once you find the kit you like, you can proceed to the installation.

Generally, there are two ways to approach the situation:

1. Install the kit by yourself
2. Pay for the installation

The first method is excellent if you have experience in the field, but keep in mind that it can be challenging. Paying for the installation will increase the overall cost of the blower, but you will be sure that the installation will be finished without any problems. Of course, it is up to you to decide which method is the best.

The cost of the installation is usually between $500 and $1,000, but you might want to contact a service center or workshop to confirm it. This way, you can plan ahead and ensure that everything goes according to your plans.

What Camaro is Supercharged?

The Chevy Camaro SS never came with a supercharger, but its more powerful version, i.e., ZL1, did. And this is the only version of a Camaro you can buy with a supercharger unless you are looking for special edition vehicles that aren’t an official part of the production.

The first modern version of ZL1 arrived in 2012, and it had a 6.2-liter engine. But it also had a supercharger already installed in the vehicle. With this upgrade, the Camaro ZL1 supercharger offered 580 horsepower!

The same engine that was in this Camaro was also used in Cadillac CTS-V three years earlier. This series came with a couple of other upgrades, among which are twenty-inch aluminum wheels. Furthermore, this version was a part of the fifth generation of Camaro, but the company decided to continue offering ZL1 models in the next generation as well.

ZL1	From 2012 to 2015	6.2-liter LSA V8	580 horsepower
ZL1	From 2016	6.2-liter LT4 V8	650 horsepower

The next iteration of ZL1 had a 650 horsepower LT4 engine, and it was based on the model used by Corvette Z06. In the past couple of years, ZL1 went through a few changes, but the supercharger remained an important part of the vehicle. In 2017, Chevrolet introduced a ten-speed transmission, making it significantly different from other models in the series.

This version of ZL1 is still available, and you can find the model designed this year as well. Naturally, it comes with a blower, and the performance and parts are identical compared to previous years. If you are looking for the most powerful Camaro you can find, ZL1 is the answer. It is also an improved version of the SS model, and they share many similarities when it comes to design. This is a perfect option for those looking for an already supercharged vehicle, so you won’t need to worry about installation if you get a ZL1.

Is Supercharging a Camaro a Good Idea?

Yes. If you are looking to improve the performance of your Camaro, supercharging the engine is the best possible option. It will also give the best results since other upgrades are not nearly as efficient. Based on the model of the car you own, you will be able to choose between different brands and sizes of superchargers.

The popularity of Camaro and Camaro SS are in your favor, and almost every single manufacturer offers superchargers for these vehicles. You can find blowers designed by Eaton, ProCharger, Magnuson, Hennessey, and of course, Whipple.

The only thing you need to ask yourself is how much you are willing to spend on a blower and which type you prefer. The majority of superchargers you can find on the market are based on either twin-screw design or Roots-type. So, don’t be afraid to explore a bit until you find a model that’s perfect for you.

Of course, the only question here is whether you can afford it. Supercharging a car is the simplest way to increase horsepower and torque, and there are no downsides. You can remove the blower at any point if you feel like it, and none of the modifications are permanent.

While you are at it, you can also consider upgrading the fuel system, exhaust, software, and other parts that will make your car run even better. Moreover, superchargers are easy to maintain, and all you’ll need to do is change the oil every once in a while. Our recommendation is to always supercharge your engine if that’s something you can afford. The difference will be more than noticeable, and you will fall in love with your new car as soon as you start the engine.

So, are Camaro SS supercharged? No, not yet. Unless you plan on buying a supercharger kit and having it installed, or installing the kit yourself. Happy hunting.