Sinister
Posted at 3:35 PM / June 5, 2009
Websters Dictionary defines the word "Sinister" as something singularly evil. This word has been used since the 15th Century. But now, fast forward to the 21st Century and find what may be the most fitting example of the term: Drew Cameron’s 2001 Corvette Z06. From its evil looks to its awe-inspiring performance, this vehicle is the epitome of sinister.
This Corvette’s evil presence starts with the exterior. As a fan of the ‘less is more’ mentality, Drew kept it simple, yet striking. Black is the essence of its wicked appearance – and the polished onyx exterior is complimented with a set of black powdercoated 18x10 and 19x11 iForged TE-7 wheels shod with Nitto Invo tires. Other exterior modifications support the dark theme; 22 percent tint, shortened antenna, and two inches of lowering. Perhaps the only hint of the vehicle’s immense capabilities is found in the custom 1000hp Anti-Venom Z06 badges that adorn the Z06’s front fenders.
Open the hood and you find a polished Vortech V7 YSI-trim supercharger consuming virtually all of what used to be free space. Components are tight, but beautiful. The blower, mated to a forged 403ci LS2 block built by A&A Corvettes, is the foundation for power. The block is topped with Edelbrock 215cc heads milled to 74cc to produce a 9.6:1 compression ratio. Staying true to ‘less is more’ in the engine as well, Cameron selected a small, custom ground camshaft with the following dimensions: 214/226, .559/.569 115 LSA. This camshaft helps the vehicle meet three goals. It gives the Corvette near-stock street manners. It enables it to pass a smog test. And, in conjunction with the blower setup, produces crank horsepower numbers north of 1000. Complimenting the blower are other necessary components for a boosted application. Custom piping routes the compressed air to and from the A&A air-to-air intercooler, while a TiAL 50mm blow-off valve vents off excess boost.
With such prodigious power, and a supercharger designed to run at 17 PSI, fueling was a major challenge. Cameron solved it with massive 83 pound per hour Ford Racing injectors fed through twin 255 lph fuel pumps, aided in part by a Kenne Bell Boost-a-Pump. A methanol injection kit from A&A keeps temperatures down and allows more timing and boost. Exhaust gasses are pumped through American Racing 1-7/8” long tube headers, mated to a dual 3” X pipe. Dual catalytic converters help keep everything smog-legal, while a B&B Bullet cat-back exhaust finishes off the system with four menacing tips. With all this performance equipment, the car’s sinister appearance is backed up by wicked horsepower and torque.
The power is put to the ground through the stock M12 6-speed transmission, and an ACT Extreme twin-disc clutch with billet steel flywheel. The stock 3.42:1 rear gears are still found in the car, despite how aggressive they are for a powerplant that cranks out such copious amounts of power.
The interior of the vehicle is a blend of racecar and show car. To step inside you need to navigate over a Wolfe six-point rollbar. The stock “Mod Red” Z06 interior has been retained with only subtle changes. The A-pillar has become the home to numerous vital gauges. The 7” Pioneer touch-screen deck controls the stereo system, made up of which is comprised of such components from high-end manufacturers Rockford Fosgate, Infinity, and Cliff Designs.
Despite the refinements inside, this Z06 is still the embodiment of sinister. The menacing stance and exterior appearance are continued into the engine compartment, with an LS2 producing more than a jaw-dropping 1000 flywheel horsepower. Not only does this Corvette produce such amazing numbers, it retains the stock drivability. A perfect balance of performance, proven components, and curb appeal. Something wicked this way comes…indeed.
