How the Rare 1981 Yenko Camaro Turbo Z Shaved Off Seconds While Staying Legal to Sell
Yenko Chevrolet's Sneaky New 1981 Turbo Z28 Camaro found more performance thanks to 7 pounds of boost.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of viewing vintage performance through today’s eyes. After all, we live in a world of factory blown Mustangs and 1,200-horsepower Corvettes, so seeing a 1981 Camaro that runs 14s seems hard to get worked up about. But in 1981, a 14-second Camaro that put out 240–250 hp was a big deal, and one that handled as well as this Yenko Turbo Z was a real force to be reckoned with at the time. In this story, from the July 1981 issue of HOT ROD, we review a car that today might seem slow, but in 1981 it was close to as good as you could get from a dealership while staying legal.—Steven Rupp
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The 1981 Yenko Camaro Turbo Z, equipped with a Turbo International system delivering 7 pounds of boost, increased performance to 240–250 hp, running quarter-miles in 14.52 seconds. Only 19 were made, offering improved handling, emissions, and mileage while remaining street-legal.
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In the late 1960s and early 1970s, high-performance car dealerships flourished. Big-engined cars, Paxton supercharged and rollbar equipped, and it can be purchased from your local dealer—ready to run on 36¢-per-gallon, 100-octane gasoline. Today, the only exciting thing about buying a new car is the choice of exterior color and whether or not to buy air conditioning.
There is an exception, however. Yenko Sportscars, Inc., a division of Yenko Chevrolet, has come up with a new version of the Z28 Camaro which displays the performance image Yenko was famous for in the 1960s.
Starting with the Turbo International turbocharging system, which is available on both the Stage One and Stage Two versions of the Yenko Turbo Z, an owner can select other options of his choice.
(Editor’s Note: This 1981 Stage Two, one of just three produced, and was sold at the Mecum Kissimmee auction (Lot K170) in 2024 for $66,000. In total only 19 Yenko Turbo Zs were ever produced.)
The Stage One Yenko Turbo Z comes with the turbocharger, automatic transmission, and Yenko Turbo Z graphics. Any other option available on the Z28 Camaro by Chevrolet may be added to the Stage One package. The Stage Two Z comes with the turbocharger, automatic transmission, and it’s equipped with every option available for the Z with the exception of the sunroof. Prices for Stage One Turbo Zs start at $10,500 and go up depending on options. Stage Two Turbo Zs list for $17,300, comparable with 1981 Corvettes and turbocharged Datsun 280ZXs. In addition to the Z28 options, Yenko adds 15x7-inch modular Weld Wheels and P245/R60-15 Goodyear Wingfoot tires in front followed by P255/R60-15 tires in the rear to the Stage Two package. Koni shocks are used in conjunction with the stock Chevy sway bars which are bolstered by the replacement of the rubber bar mounts with Guldstrand urethane mounts. An IROC-style front air dam helps keep the front end down at high speeds.
Inside, the Camaro is fitted with high-quality, black leather, fully adjustable Kamp Inc. seats that match the Racemark custom steering wheel. The only change to the Z28 dashboard is the installation of the Turbo International boost gauge and water injector light, and the cigarette lighter is replaced by a water injector bottle indicator light panel. The water injector is the main safeguard against engine detonation, and the indicator lights tell the driver when the level is low.
Another innovation on the Yenko Turbo Z is the installation of a fuel heater fitted beneath the turbocharger carburetor base. The heater prevents engine stumble between the time when the carburetor choke stops, and the engine has reached full operating temperature. Another reason for the heater installation is to keep the emissions level down. According to Yenko Chevrolet, the Yenko Turbo Z is “at least as clean as the stock Z28 Camaro where EPA standards are concerned, making it legal for sale in all 50 states.” And because it's sold by an authorized Chevy dealer, the Yenko Turbo Z comes with a full one-year warranty.
Overall performance figures for the Yenko Turbo Z improved as the turbocharger and engine became acquainted. There is a certain amount of wear-in time necessary before maximum boost is available from the Turbo International system. Using a 3.08:1 rearend ratio, a stock Z28 rolled through the quarter-mile in, 17.10 seconds at a top speed of 79 mph.
The Turbo International turbocharger is designed to run a maximum of 7 pounds of boost. The most recent quarter-mile figures on the Yenko Z are 14.52 seconds at 97.8 mph running a full 7 pounds of boost and adjusting the water injector for peak performance. In addition to the fine performance gain, the aforementioned emissions levels were excellent, and mileage of 22 mpg on the highway and 18 mpg in town is standard. Note that the air conditioner is retained.
Kim Mason, Yenko Turbo Z Project Manager, said, “We have built a car which does many things well—it handles, gets good mileage, does not pollute and has very good performance. We have built the ultimate Camaro.”
The Tale of Yenko
Back when the price of gasoline was less than one third its octane rating, the supercar thrived. Cars with tremendous engines prowled the streets and racetracks, and some of the strongest contestants came from the stable of Yenko Chevrolet at their original home in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania. Yenko Super Camaros, Stinger Corvairs and Vegas, Super Chevelles and “Deuce’’ Novas carried the Yenko banner far and wide, destroying the competition while leaving little in their wake but the smell of burning rubber.
Don Yenko produced these special-interest vehicles from 1965 through ’76. He started with already quick cars and either transplanted larger engines or bolstered the stock engine with a complement of high-performance modifications and parts.
The Yenko Turbo Z comes either as a stripped down ’81 Z or full-tilt with every Z28 option available including custom wheels, tires, spoilers, and interior modifications. An aesthetic yet functional addition to the Turbo Z is the IROC-style fiberglass front air dam that replaces the stock air dam. The air ducts in the spoiler can be used to route air to the front disc brakes.
The only modification to the dashboard is the installation of the Turbo International boost gauge and water injection light (arrow) and the water injector level indicator panel. The panel consists of three lights—“SAFE,” “ADD,” or “DANGER”—to keep the driver informed.
The inside of the Yenko Z is as comfortable as the turbocharger is powerful. The Kamp Inc. fully adjustable seats are covered in black leather to match the Racemark custom steering wheel. This particular Z came with the optional leather back seat and door panels.
The water injector is the major safeguard against detonation within the engine—especially important with turbocharged engines.
The stock Camaro sway bars are fitted with Guldstrand mounts to resist deflection of the 1 1/8-inch front bar and ¾-inch rear bar.
Overall performance of the Yenko Turbo Z cannot be measured simply by quarter-mile times. The Yenko Z does things which its late-60s counterparts could not ... it handles excellently at high speed, it gets good gas mileage and has more than a 400-mile range, and it doesn't pollute the atmosphere. Tell that to the next guy who tells you there hasn't been any progress with the automobile in 10 years!
Here is a list of cars built by Yenko during this super era. These are parents of the Yenko Turbo Z:
Yenko Stinger Corvair
- Available in four stages from 160 horsepower through 240 hp; total produced from 1965 to 1969—135 units.
Yenko Super Camaros
- ’69 model Camaro with 427-cubic-inch engines, 140-mph speedometer and 4-speed transmission; total produced—350 units.
Yenko Super Chevelles
- Built in 1969 on the Chevelle SS model, 427-cubic-inch engine and either automatic or 4-speed transmission; total produced—just over 100 units.
Yenko Deuce Novas
- 1970 model Chevy Nova with 4-speed transmission, 4.10:1 rearend gear and 350-cubic-inch LT-1 engine; total produced—178 units.
Yenko Stinger Vegas
- 1972-'76 Chevy Vegas with 350-cubic-inch engines (two were turbocharged); total produced—189 units.
Note: Several other special models were produced in this period, including special ’67 Z28 Camaros; however, it is not known how many were delivered.