GM’s Chevrolet Performance division is giving its customers the opportunity to gain some extra satisfaction by participating in the assembly of their own LS7 or LS9 crate engine.
Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance and Vehicles, says: “Building an engine is a time-honored tradition in hot rodding and this exciting new program allows enthusiasts to enjoy that magical do-it-yourself feeling, while still enjoying the value of a factory-engineered, warranted crate engine.”
That’s because the personally-assembled V8s are covered by the factory 24-month/50,000-mile Chevrolet Performance limited warranty which applies to the Corvette Z06 and ZR1 engines respectively.
Customers willing to build their own engine will have to visit GM’s Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan. Once there, a trained engine builder will help them assembly their chosen engine from start to finish – which, in the LS9, includes fitting the supercharger as well.
Upon completion of the assembly, a personalized engine plate is added to the engine. MSRP prices are set at US$22,756.10 for the LS7 and $32,050 for the LS9.
LS7 specs
Displacement: 7.0L (427 cubic inches)Bore x stroke: 4.125 x 4.000 inchesCrankshaft: forged steelConnecting rods: forged titaniumCylinder heads: CNC-ported aluminumValves: 2.20-inch titanium, intake; 1.61-inch sodium-filled, exhaustInduction: natural aspiratedCompression ratio: 11:1Horsepower: 505 @ 6,300 rpmTorque: 470 lb.-ft. @ 4,800 rpm
LS9 specs
Displacement: 6.2L (376 cubic inches)Bore x stroke: 4.125 x 3.620 inchesCrankshaft: forged steelConnecting rods: forged titaniumCylinder heads: roto-cast aluminumValves: 2.16-inch titanium, intake; 1.59-inch sodium-filled, exhaustInduction: superchargedCompression ratio: 9.1:1Horsepower: 638 @ 6,500 rpmTorque: 604 lb.-ft. @ 3,800 rpm
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