World War Z: A One Of A Kind LSA-Powered Z28 Camaro

worldwarzcover

The Chevrolet Camaro has the distinction of being one of the most modified car platforms ever built, with the first and second-generation models standing out as some of the most coveted. The second generation took everything the first started, and improved upon it considerably. From the factory, they were wider, faster, and sat lower than their predecessor. They remain a significant milestone in what would come to be a long line of Camaro generations to follow.

cyrious-garage-world-war-z-camaro-31

Ride Tech Suspension, RSV Forged Wheels, and custom flares give this Z28 a killer stance.

Early second-gen Camaros – free of the emissions restrictions that significantly handicapped the later-year cars – are held in even higher regard, with the z28-trimmmed models edging out the rest in both power and creature comforts. With such a significant following, the second-generation community has, perhaps somewhat unknowingly, created an unwritten set of rules when it comes to the car’s modification.

cyrious-garage-world-war-z-camaro-38

The adjustable ZL1-style rear spoiler exention was fabricated by Cyrious Garageworks, and adds a unique touch.

For many enthusiasts, numbers-matching cars must forever remain true to factory form, while non-matching examples are “permitted” to have cowl hoods, wheel tubs, and Pro Street style wheel and tire packages.

Veering From The Norm

Those blueprints, while often appropriate and to a degree timeless, are extremely restricting. Miro Pavletic, the owner of this Camaro he calls World War Z, wanted none of that. Instead, he opted to modify his car on his terms.

cyrious-garage-world-war-z-camaro-45

Parked, this Camaro plants long-tube Hooker headers firmly on the ground.

Drawing inspiration from various different automotive genres, Miro came up with a simple three word plan for the car; low, wide, and fast.

cyrious-garage-world-war-z-camaro-37

The exhaust exits through the rear quarter-panels via tips originally made for an off shore racing boat.

With that loose plan, Miro took his vision to Oakville, Ontario’s Cyrious Garageworks, who wasted no time and got to work building what some feel is possibly one of the baddest Camaros on the planet.

From the get go, Miro only wanted to use parts he describes as “the best of the best,” and key component number one was an LSA engine as the heart of the car. Like everything else to follow, it wouldn’t be stock.

cyrious-garage-world-war-z-camaro-20

Power now comes from an LSA engine positioned as low and as far rearward as space would allow.

Power To Burn

A Brian Tooley Racing supercharger-specific camshaft, matching valve springs, and a Lingenfelter supercharger pulley help develop the 14 pounds of boost that find their way under the hood. Working in conjunction with those items is an in-house-built air intake crafted from Vibrant Performance components. The combination of the aforementioned parts resulted in an impressive 700 rear-wheel horsepower, which still wasn’t enough for Miro.

To really push things over the edge, a 200-shot nitrous system was added, which propelled the final dyno number to an impressive 826 horsepower at the rear wheels.

The detail Cyrious Garageworks put into this car is noticeable at any angle.

Power delivery is instant, thanks to the Tremec Tranzilla six-speed transmission and Auburn posi-equipped rearend. At the stomp of the throttle, engine RPM and speedometer numbers on the RacePak dash shoot up at an alarming rate as the giant Nitto tires scramble for grip. Bringing all of this to a stop in a hurry, and well before any speed traps, is a set of Wilwood four wheel disc brakes.

cyrious-garage-world-war-z-camaro-17

A 200-shot nitrous system brings the final dyno number to an impressive 826 horsepower at the wheels.

Stance Is Everything

If you’re trying to figure out just how the 295 and 325 section-width rubber fit under the second-generation Camaro body, put down your calculator and pick up an angle grinder. To stuff those 19×12.5 and 19×13.5-inch wide wheels under the car, Cyrious Garageworks had to be quite liberal with their cuts.

The interior features Sparco seats, a Racepak Dash, and a custom center console. Everything has been wrapped in leather and alcantara materials.

The cuts were then welded shut, seam sealed, painted, and finally covered with Cyrious Garageworks-built flares. This particular modification is what parts the sea of enthusiasts; some people love how unique the wheels and flares make the car look, while others just can’t get past it.

callmiro3

Pictured here while under construction, you can really see how much cutting was necessary to get the wheels to fit.

In Miro’s eyes, stance is everything and it was an absolute must that the car ride low and park lower. To accomplish that, Miro chose Ridetech’s Stage 2 air suspension. With that, the car sits as physically low as possible whenever parked.

The flares have the Camaro community divided, but the car came out exactly as Miro wanted.

Creature Comforts, Racecar Style

Inside, Miro had Cyrious Garageworks go all out. Alcantara and leather are the materials of choice, save for the aluminum used on the door skins. Sparco and Ringbrother’s components help round out the interior, and Dynamat sound suppression keeps engine, and road noise at bay.

cyrious-garage-world-war-z-camaro-beach

325/25 tires make a serious statement out back.

Building a car with the ability to run tens in the quarter-mile (10.36 at 135 mph to be exact), Cyrious installed a cage should the worse ever happen. The cage is run incredibly tight to the roof, and uses low slung door bars to be non obtrusive but safe for a lot of city miles. Miro has happily enjoyed  a lot of those this year.

cyrious-garage-world-war-z-camaro-6

The one of a kind in-house-built flares do their best to contain the massive tires.

World War Z has been the talk of Social Media since progress photos were revealed in 2015, and became a bigger sensation when it debuted at SEMA in 2016.

cyrious-garage-world-war-z-camaro-7

Beauty and the beast. This car will run a 10.35 quarter-mile at 135 mph!

Miro would like to thank Pat Cyr, Dan Cyr, Brad Cross, Pat Duda, and the rest of the team at Cyrious for their hard work on the car, as well as 242 Customs, and his friend Joe Maria. The Camaro wouldn’t be the hardcore Chevy it is today without their talent and help.

About the author

Dave Thomas

Currently living near Toronto, Dave spends much of his free time behind a camera at car events, and likes just about anything with wheels, but usually the lower the better. When not taking photos, writing articles, or going upside down on his bike he can be found in the shop wrenching on his 1951 GMC pickup.
Read My Articles

Late Model LS Power in your inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from LSX Magazine, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
LSX Magazine NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

LSX Magazine - The Late Model GM Magazine for Camaro

lsxmag

We'll send you the most interesting LSX Magazine articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

LSX Magazine - The Late Model GM Magazine for Camaro

LSX Magazine NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

LSX Magazine - The Late Model GM Magazine for Camaro

lsxmag

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


chevyhardcore
Classic Chevy Magazine
dragzine
Drag Racing
enginelabs
Engine Tech

LSX Magazine - The Late Model GM Magazine for Camaro

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • chevyhardcore Classic Chevy Magazine
  • dragzine Drag Racing
  • enginelabs Engine Tech

LSX Magazine - The Late Model GM Magazine for Camaro

lsxmag

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

LSX Magazine - The Late Model GM Magazine for Camaro

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading