New engine news

In case you didn't already know, getting a new crate motor from GM Performance (chevrolet.com/performance-parts) is like trying to find an honest politician. It's near IMPOSSIBLE. I had my eye (and budget) on the LS376/480 which is no more than a factory LS3 with the LS Hot Cam installed. Giving the LS3 495hp/473tq. Knowing I wouldn't be using the oil pan, water pump, and balancer, I decided to try to keep some cash in my pocket and go for the long block version of that engine (p/n 12432424). I ordered the engine through a local dealer and was of course told, it's on backorder. I just thought, I'll wait. Plenty to do until time to mock up the engine in the car. one thing I wanted to do was find out if the engine was rated for those power figures through manifolds or headers, and also what size primary tube GM recommends for the LS3 heads. So I called the performance parts customer line and spoke with a guy there that let it slip that my order was #269 on back order!!!! He did not give me any indication of a lead time or say anything about how fast they are filling orders (smart guy). Knowing how GM can be, I decided to look for a different engine. The parts manager at the dealer I ordered from is a personal friend, so we set about trying to find a suitable alternative. We came pretty close with a service replacement long block LS3 in Texas which I would have just installed the Hot Cam kit in, but there was a $2500 core charge and I couldn't stand the sting of that. We started going through the GMPP catalog and inputting part numbers into the locator at the dealer. Low and behold we got a hit! ONE engine IN STOCK at dealer in San Diego.

The LS376/525 long block, which has the ASA cam installed. Not much different from the Hot cam - a tad more duration and a 110 lobe sep. Putting the HP at 525 and TQ at 486. The parts manager called the dealer to confirm they had it and they did! They talked about sale price(to my dealer) and shipping expenses. My parts manager gave me a quote and I thought it over for a while. It was going to take a little more out of my budget, but I would have a BIG purchase already made for my project and I didn't have to wait indefinitely to get it. Plus I get more to brag about putting me well over 500 horsepower. So I pulled the trigger. ETA 3/1. I couldn't be more stoked.