Autoblog

Monster motors were the order of the day in the late 1960s, and GM's 427 was a part of that class. The drawback to a big-block's burly output was, and still is, the increased weight of the engine. While big blocks are a hoot for straight line shenanigans, a small block car is often a better all-around performer. That goes out the window for most of us upon tapping that vast well of torque, and there was a solution direct from GM. The ZL1 was a 427 rendered in aluminum to save weight and carried a 430 horsepower rating. The ZL1 is the stuff of legend, commanding the sharp intake of breath when mentioned with the Corvette, and reverent silence should the COPO Camaro be cited.

GM Performance Parts is whipping up a limited run of all new ZL1s, built from the same tooling as the original. A total of 427 of the Anniversary 427 Big Block engines will be produced, creating a new piece of automotive unobtanium while leaving the ZL1 mystique intact. You might even argue that the new engine run will add to the lore. We'll get to see just how much of a clamor there might be for these new engines when the very first Anniversary 427 Big Block crate engine, serial number 001, goes up for bid at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson auction. The remaining 426 engines will be available soon from GM Performance Parts dealers, and will likely be snapped up like rabid moms going after Hannah Montana tickets.

[Source: GM via Winding Road]

As Detroit's automakers swing back toward performance cars, they're also finding a thriving market for Detroit-style performance parts - and nothing says Detroit performance like a thundering V8. General Motors has ramped up a growing business with its GM Performance Parts group, and in recognition of the growing visibility of high performance in GM's product portfolio, the company has taken the group out from under the GM Goodwrench umbrella and given GMPP its own web presence at gmperformanceparts.com.

The first phase of the new website is up and running, with a handy "parts finder" tool for your engine project, and the "Engine Showcase," with details on all of GM's small-block, racing, LS and big-block crate motors, as well as an intriguing portfolio of Regular Production Option crate engines, like the 4.6-liter Northstar V8 from the Cadillac XLR and the supercharged 2-liter Ecotec four.

The best is yet to come - GM promises a very cool interactive feature called the Engine Configurator, which will let you select an engine, pick and choose various engine parts, and then run it on a virtual dyno, complete with horsepower and torque charts. Perfect for that fantasy hot rod project! New features will roll out in the coming months, with the Engine Configurator scheduled to go live in late September.

Worth a visit!

[Source: GM]

Both General Motors and Ford are making big inroads into the aftermarket world for high-performance parts, and now GM Performance Parts is taking it to the streets-- literally. The company has put together a mobile exhibit of its offerings called the GM Performance Parts Power Shop, which is travelling the country this summer making appearances at various racing and car-oriented events.

One of the stars of the exhibit is a fully-operational display of the GMPP ZZ572 big-block crate engine - 720 hp of off-the-shelf motivation. The drag racing and hot rod-oriented display also features a brand-new drag racing simulator that promises the "full sensory experience of rocketing down the quarter-mile."

The Power Shop debuted this past weekend at "The Year One Experience" at Road Atlanta in Braselton, Georgia.

[Source: GM]