LS9 Time Lapse Video Provides A Look At The ZR1 Corvette And The Wonders Of The Incredibly Versatile LS Engine Block (Videos)

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

There has been much fanfare about the LS engine block. Because it is so versatile, the LS block has quickly become the go-to for custom builds. Nothing demonstrates this better than the fact that the new Chevy ZR1 Corvette's power base is a supercharged LS9.


GM Performance Build Center
Photo Credit: lsxtv.com

While Corvettes have traditionally rolled out of the Bowling Green plant, LS9 engines are assembled in a special plant called the GM Performance Build Center, a $10 million dollar, 100,000 sf facility located in Wixon, Michigan. When you stop to consider that engines coming out of this plant are not mass produced, but rather made to order, it's easier to understand the costs associated with the cars that come out of this state-of-the-art manufacturing facility.

Salvatore Alaimo, author of the article Time Lapse Video Captures The Genesis Of An LS9, describes the significance of the engine as, "the LS9 is to the General (General Motors) what an AMG motor is to Mercedes; each individual unit is assembled by an assigned engineer in an environment that is specific to the motor assembly process."

The following video, provided by CarsInDimension, offers a time-lapse 3 minute build of an LS9!



Lucky buyers of the new ZR1 Corvette have an option of visiting the PBC to watch their engine being assembled. If you have a few minutes, watch the interesting video. It might be your least expensive chance of seeing a professional LS build from the GM Performance Build Center, and probably your only chance of seeing it done from start to finish!

Contrary to what the article states, however, if you've got the extra cash, you can arrange a visit to the GM Performance Build Center, and even to do your own custom build at their facility! Tours are available by appointment only to enthusiasts, clubs and current model Corvette owners. But what is really unique is the Corvette experience that is offered to every Z06 and ZR1 buyer. The Corvette Engine Build Experience.



As described on the GM Performance Build Center website, "Every Z06 and ZR1 production engine is hand built. Now, those hands could be yours! All Corvette Z06 and ZR1 buyers can take advantage of this new once in-a-lifetime opportunity to travel to the GM Performance Build Center to help build their own LS7 or LS9 engine. With the guidance of the world-class craftsmen who assemble these engines every day, Z06 and ZR1 buyers can enjoy the experience of a lifetime."



All part of owning a new Corvette!

RESOURCES FOR MORE INFORMATION:
Chevrolet - Chevy Corvette
Corvette Assembly Plant - Bowling Green
GM Performance Build Center - GM PBC Website 
GM Performance Build Center - Corvette Engine Build Experience
LSXTV - Time Lapse Video Captures The Genesis Of An LS9
Museum - National Corvette Museum
YouTube - CarsInDimension

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Sneak Peak at New C7 Corvette?

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

There has been a lot of talk about what will be in store for Corvette enthusiasts as Chevrolet plans for the upcoming model change.  Yes, 2014 will mark a change to the seventh generation of Corvette, with a model they're apparently calling the C7.

Photo by: corvetteonline.com

But just what the changes are remains a mystery, and there are many stories out there. This one caught my eye, but it is real or is it photo shopped?

The article, which appeared on corvetteonline.com hints that the new C7 may indeed take some design influence from the very successful Chevy Camaro.  Time will tell.

What are your thoughts?

What would you like to see?

REFERENCE:
Corvette Online - Is This The Back End Of The C7 Corvette?

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.

Camaro Celebrates 3 Million Facebook Fans

by Andrea L. Algar
Motorheads Performance

Yes, it's no surprise that Camaro's popularity is still running strong after 45 years. It's always been such a popular muscle car, and when Camaro's Facebook page reached 3 million fans, they decided to celebrate with a video recapping the history.

The timing of the release is, once again, ironic. Just as I wrapped up writing of my article on the Z28 Camaro which will run next week, I get this video in my inbox this morning at 5am! I thought it would be a nice companion piece, and perhaps wet your appetite for the Z28! (Shameless I know.)

Camaro's YouTube video:




There is no doubt at all that the Chevy Camaro has made an impact our lives. Most of us have either known someone with a Camaro, have owned one ourselves, or have always wanted one! Even die-hard Mopar and Ford fans probably grudgingly admire Camaro for the cars they've produced over the years. For most, there's at least one model in the lineup which we've admired and lusted after. The Camaro is a staple at car shows, races, car clubs and to those who simply enjoy the pleasures of owning and driving one.

It's a piece of American history that miraculously survived the ages, actually making a comeback after having had production stopped in  2002, only to be resurrected in 2010 with such fanfare that I'm sure General Motors was wondering why they succumbed to the pressures eight years before.

Camaro Timeline:

1st Generation - 1967 to 1970

2nd Generation - 1970-1/2 to 1981

3rd Generation - 1982 to 1992

4th Generation - 1993 to 2002

5th Generation - 2010 to Present

It appears that Chevrolet is aware of the tremendous support and loyalty they've earned from fans over the years. Reaching the milestone of 3 million fans on Facebook, they've put together a nice little video entitled, "Camaro's Greatest Hits," featuring not only significant Camaro events, but events in the lives of some of their fans.

I personally would have preferred the video to be a little longer, and to include a few more fan stories. I'm sure there are countless others that would be equally, if not more, entertaining and interesting. I can think of many great Camaro's that friends have had over the years, and their stories with their cars. I like a lot of cars. Some are Ford, most are Mopar or Chevy.  Lots of different makes and models stand out for me. Of the Camaros, I personally like the 1st and 2nd generation best, and I'm a big fan of the 5th generation as well. And yes, like so many other fans, my all-time favorite "old-time" Camaro is the 1969. I'm really hoping the 6th does what a lot of us want. Time will tell. In the meantime, doing stories like this make me smile!

Watch it yourself and see tell me what you think.

INTERESTING READS:
Chevy-Camaro.com - Decoding, Codes and More
Edmunds - Camaro History
GM Heritage Center - History of a Sports Car: The Chevrolet Camaro
Popular Hot Rodding - Chevy Camaro Fifth-Generation Concept Car
Top Speed - 1968-2001 Chevrolet Camaro History
Ultimate Performance Car - Camaro Facts (visit their other pages as well)

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Andrea L. Algar is co-owner of a classic car performance and restoration design shop in Leesville, Texas. Motorheads Performance specializes in repairs, maintenance, performance upgrades and restorative work on cars and trucks from the 1920’s through 1970’s. Her husband Guy L. Algar is a Mechanical Engineer with over 25 years experience. He holds 5 ASE Certifications from the National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence and has been working on old cars and trucks for over 37 years. Together they share their passion for old cars and trucks with other enthusiasts from around the country.