SMOKEY YUNICK PROTOTYPE 302 HEMI HEAD CAMARO 1968

Video Description

Smokey yunick prototype 302 hemi head engine, was a rule skirting unique example of inovation Leard about the history and controversy surrounding this legendary power plant. Chevy, with the help of Yunick's legendary engineering, created a prototype all-aluminum 302 cubic inch small-block Chevrolet engine with hemispherical combustion chambers (true "Hemi" heads)—a radical departure from conventional Chevy engine design and a direct attempt to challenge Ford's Boss 302 and Chrysler's Hemi dominance in racing. What Made the Hemi Head Camaro Special? 1967 -68 Smokey Yunick Hemi cross ram Camaros True "Hemi" Heads on a Chevy Small Block: Chevy’s experimental Trans Am program, working with Smokey Yunick, developed a 302ci small block using custom hemispherical cylinder heads—huge, cross-ram intakes, dramatically enlarged valve covers, and revised pistons and porting for maximum high-rpm flow and race-level horsepower. Prototype Status: Only a number of these engines were built and installed in three Camaros (at least one being the 1968 Z/28); the project never proceeded to mass production. These Hemi 302s were prototypes meant for racing, not street use. Performance and Speed Records: Yunick set various speed and endurance records with the Camaro at Bonneville, running both 302ci and 396ci engines. While it was innovative, Yunick’s car never won a Trans Am race in his own hands, though Don Yenko later won with it. Why Was It Shocking? Engineering Innovations Some of the wild modifications in Smokey’s 1968 Camaro included: Acid-dipped body panels and thinner window glass for weight savings Aerodynamic body tweaks: tilted front end, laid-back windshield, widened fenders Raised front subframe and floorpan for lower ride height Unique in-car oiling system allowing pressurized oil filling during pit stops Military helicopter cable-ratchet harness to allow greater driver movement Summary: The shocking truth behind the Smokey Yunick Hemi head Camaro is that Chevy and Yunick took the battle to the limits of racing technology, daring to build an experimental, prototype Chevy small-block with authentic Hemi heads for Trans-Am competition. Although it never reached its full competitive potential or mass production, its rarity, innovation, and the legend of Smokey Yunick ensure its place in muscle car history as an icon of boundary-pushing engineering AMERICAN Car History, Season 1 The Shocking Truth Behind the Ford Deadly 255 indy engine https://youtu.be/kgyBMMJ1RVY The Shocking Truth Behind Ford Banned 302 Boss Engine https://youtu.be/ckHkYPGIikc The Shocking Truth Behind Chevrolet Banned 409 WidowMaker Engine https://youtu.be/AXVr4bGKckM The Shocking Truth Behind Chevrolet's Banned 454 Big Rat Engine! https://youtu.be/ABpv7sUZu8E The shocking truth behind Chevrolet Banned 427 L88 ENGINE! https://youtu.be/GV68yON5Uzs The shocking Truth Behind FORDs Banned 351 Cleveland Engine https://youtu.be/YzH4-T1l2ZM The Shocking Truth behind Pontiac Banned 421 Super Duty Engine! https://youtu.be/U9QEeL3_N68 The Shocking Truth behind Chevrolet Banned 396 Big Block Engine! https://youtu.be/StrfpfUWcRM The Shocking Truth behind FORDs Banned 427 Cammer Engine! https://youtu.be/Ywaj6g5pG8U The Shocking Truth Behind Chevrolet's Banned 427 Mystery Motor https://youtu.be/KtvxnPvycm4 The Shocking Truth behind Ford’s Banned BOSS 429 Engine! https://youtu.be/tFsHhRMBOOU innovations: Engineering Against the Rules: The engine was so experimental that it was “rule-skirting,” flaunting the limits of what was allowed in Trans Am racing. SCCA and Chevy pulled back from further development because it didn’t deliver a decisive advantage and complicated race support. Lost Opportunity and Rarity: Chevy gave up on the program due to challenging power delivery and technical complexity (the first heads over-ventilated the engine and failed to meet expectations), meaning almost all traces of the legendary Hemi-head Camaro remain in specialist hands and rare private collections. Only three Hemi 302 Camaros are known to exist, with one owned by Richard Childress and one by Bob Marvin. and one was up for auction at bonhams 15th aug 2025 Legendary Status: Today, the Hemi-head Camaro is not just rare—it’s a “what if?” legend, a unicorn in the muscle car world representing what Chevy could have built had the program succeeded and mass production followed. Its mere existence intensifies the myths and the smoky aura of Yunick’s reputation as a boundary-breaking race engineer. Best Community Comments @richardfinney3179 Smokey said the engine was no good. Below 6000 and it drank fuel like a old wineo so he but it in the corner of the shop the wedge heads made great power in every room and got good milage and we're lighter and fit in the bay better .Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1LFwBRy9-ENQ5I20vxw08g/join