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Barrett-Jackson 2011: GM auctions off first LSX454R crate engine *UPDATE: W/Video

Jeremy Korzeniewski — Fri, 21 Jan 2011 22:45:00 EST

Filed under: Auctions, GM

General Motors LSX454R crate engine at Barrett-Jackson - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's not just cars and trucks that are auctioned off each and every year at Barrett-Jackson. For instance, General Motors decided to roll out its latest crate engine, the LSX454R, in front of the crowds in Scottsdale, and proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association.

Of course, this is no ordinary motor. In fact, at 750 horsepower, the LSX454R is the most powerful engine General Motors has ever offered for sale... and that includes all the barn-storming engines of the Gods the automaker let out in the heyday of the muscle car era.

The 13:1 compression ratio of this engine means it's meant for racing applications and 110-octane fuel, so don't go getting any ideas of the LSX454R under the hood of a shiny new Camaro. Instead, expect to see it occupying the engine bays of 9-second bracket racers at a quarter-mile near you in no time flat.

Check out the official auction listing here, and head on over to Speed to watch live streaming coverage of all the festivities.

*UPDATE: Check out a video of the auction after the break.

Gallery: 2011 General Motors LSX454R Crate Engine at Barrett-Jackson 2011

Continue reading Barrett-Jackson 2011: GM auctions off first LSX454R crate engine *UPDATE: W/Video

Barrett-Jackson 2011: GM auctions off first LSX454R crate engine *UPDATE: W/Video originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Jan 2011 22:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Big Block Fever: First Anniversary 427 Big Block ZL-1 on the block at Barrett Jackson

Dan Roth — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:58:00 EST

Filed under: Aftermarket, Classics, Technology, GM

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]

Gallery: 427 Anniversary Big Block

Continue reading Big Block Fever: First Anniversary 427 Big Block ZL-1 on the block at Barrett Jackson

Big Block Fever: First Anniversary 427 Big Block ZL-1 on the block at Barrett Jackson originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 16 Jan 2008 18:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Got a project car? Has GM got an engine for you!

Stuart Waterman — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:26:00 EST

Filed under: Motorsports, Tuners, Technology, GM

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]

Got a project car? Has GM got an engine for you! originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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