’72 Camaro RS: Inside Finland’s 3,000-Hour Crypto RS Build

For Jari Ikkelä of Ylläsjärvi, Finland, a ’72 Camaro RS symbolized nostalgia fused with opportunity, a platform for precision and experimentation. His goal wasn’t to build a flashy show car but to create something that rewarded a closer look. The name Crypto RS doesn’t reference digital currency but rather “cryptic,” a reflection of the countless hidden details that reveal themselves only with time.

The project began in 2020 when Ikkelä located a Colorado-based Camaro already equipped with an LS swap and a TREMEC T56 manual transmission. It looked clean on the surface, and through his U.S. agent, Sami Minkkinen of Sami’s Bikes LLC, the car was shipped to Finland that fall. Once disassembled, the team discovered corrosion beneath the paint, but the foundation was solid enough to justify a full transformation.

What started as a simple restoration turned into a 3,000-hour engineering experiment combining American muscle tradition with Scandinavian fabrication discipline.

Supercharged L33 Power

This ’72 Camaro RS centers around a 2006 L33 aluminum-block V8, a lightweight base fitted with stepped 799 heads, ARP hardware, Mahle forged pistons, and a high-performance oil pump. Tero Niemeläinen of Tero’s Garage Oy, a well-known Finnish custom builder, handled much of the mechanical work.

Up top, a Speedmaster CNC billet intake supports a Weiand 6-71 supercharger driven by a Speedmaster blower kit. The classic roots-type design was chosen for both its character and compactness. Ikkelä wanted the blower to rise subtly through the hood without dominating the profile, so custom adapters and low-profile throttle assemblies were machined to keep the height minimal while maintaining proper airflow and cooling.

Fuel delivery comes from a Tanks Inc. Camaro EFI tank fed by a GPA-9 Hellcat-spec pump, an AEM filter, and E85-compatible AN plumbing. A MaxxECU Pro controls the dual electronic throttles and a multi-injector system: eight 900 cc Bosch EV14 injectors in the intake, plus two 1,500 cc units for E85 enrichment and another 1,500 cc injector for methanol. This layout gives the 5.3-liter engine the flexibility to run E85 and methanol blends with precision and reliability.

Transmission And Rear Driveline

The six-speed TREMEC T56 manual transmission plays a major role in defining how the Crypto RS feels from behind the wheel. Its mechanical precision and short, deliberate shifts keep the driver fully engaged, while its durability makes it a perfect match for a supercharged LS-based engine. The T56’s proven internals handle the L33’s boosted torque with ease, and its close-ratio design helps the engine stay in its powerband through each gear.

Instead of opting for an automatic or a modern dual-clutch setup, Ikkelä kept the build rooted in driver involvement. The clutch system and linkage were custom-adapted to the Camaro’s firewall and pedal assembly, blending modern performance with a factory-style pedal feel. The transmission feeds into a Corvette Dana 44 independent rear differential with a 3.07:1 ratio, chosen for its strength and road manners. This pairing allows effortless highway cruising while keeping the engine relaxed at speed, yet it can still deliver aggressive acceleration when the throttle is buried.

The driveline was further reinforced with upgraded mounts and bushings to eliminate flex and maintain precise alignment under load. Together, the TREMEC and Dana 44 combination reflects the build’s overall philosophy: Classic muscle reinterpreted through modern engineering. Every shift, every engagement feels deliberate, mechanical, and authentic to the driver’s touch.

Chassis And Suspension Engineering

Underneath, the ’72 Camaro RS wears an advanced hybrid suspension system that merges muscle car geometry with modern responsiveness. Up front are Detroit Speed tubular control arms and Viking adjustable coilovers, complemented by CPP spindles with Corvette C5 hubs.

The rear suspension is a showpiece of Finnish creativity. Ikkelä and Niemeläinen developed a custom cantilever layout that relocates Aldan American coilovers into the trunk. This design allows fine adjustment and a clean underbody while retaining usable cargo space. After initially considering air ride suspension, Ikkelä and Niemeläinen chose coilovers for their predictable ride height and response.

The rear architecture also borrows from a Corvette C4, providing an independent rear suspension that transforms the Camaro’s handling. Adapting the setup required custom fabrication throughout the rear floor and seat area, but the result is a level of composure rarely seen in early second-gen F-bodies.

Brakes, Wheels, And Tires

A Corvette-inspired system handles the braking, using C5 discs and Wilwood calipers up front and C4 components in the rear. A hydroboost assist adds modern pedal feel and ensures consistency under high load. Rolling stock comes from BC Forged LE51 two-piece wheels sized 18×9 front and 18×11 rear, custom-ordered to fit the car’s precise offsets and color scheme. They wear Nankang 235/45R18 semi-slicks in front and Nitto NT555 305/40R18 tires at the rear, delivering both grip and stance without compromising street use.

Moving rearward, the quarters were widened by about 120 millimeters and the main body line lowered an inch to emphasize the stance. Doors were reshaped to match and fitted with flush Audi A4 handles for a clean, modern touch. Even the rear spoiler and roll panel were hammer-formed from sheet metal, with the bumper section widened and recessed using two original units as templates. All mounting hardware is concealed, leaving nothing visible to break the lines.

The paint is a custom blend based on Harley-Davidson Olive Green, applied by Eemeli Niemeläinen and Pekka Mannermaa. Under sunlight, the color shifts from military matte to deep metallic, matching the car’s blend of aggression and elegance. Every panel was hand-finished at Tero’s Garage, and even the glass was modernized with frameless flush-fit pieces by Kuttila Glass of Finland, requiring significant re-engineering of the window frames.

Interior Execution And Electronics

Inside, the Camaro feels refined yet functional. Finn Custom Oy and Tero’s Garage hand-built the custom fiberglass door and roof panels, center console, and rear seat area. Liituraita’s Leena Hovattala handled upholstery, while Stailaaja covered the dash and steering wheel. The design mixes smooth surfaces and sharp stitching to mirror the exterior’s precision.

The exhaust was built from scratch by Martelius Exhaust Co. of Finland. Only the short headers remain off-the-shelf; the rest were custom bent to fit the side-exit design. A dual-path layout lets the driver switch between damped side pipes and an under-car system through electric cutouts. This gives the car both track-ready volume and street-friendly manners.

Every element was built for function. Nothing exists for shows alone. From the low blower placement to the hidden body seams, the Crypto RS represents a level of craftsmanship that speaks quietly but demands attention.

A Global Interpretation Of Muscle

Over five years and thousands of hours, the Crypto RS evolved from an American import into a rolling manifestation of Finnish precision. It embodies how muscle-car culture transcends borders, a ’72 Camaro RS reborn through modern engineering and a craftsman’s discipline. In every detail, it proves that the language of horsepower is universal. Wherever enthusiasts build, tune, and refine cars like this, it stands as a shared expression of passion and skill.