[1]You are, no doubt, already aware of GM’s E-ROD program [2], which launched with the LS3 engine straight out of the 2010 Camaro, ready for transplant into just about any engine bay that would hold a small-block Chevy. With California smog approval gained for this engine as an emissions-compliant swap into classic cars as well as OBD-I (1995 and earlier) vehicles, they set their sights on expansion – first, the most powerful naturally aspirated engine in GM’s parts bin, the Z06-spec LS7, and introduced for the first time here at the 2010 SEMA show, the 315-horse 5.3L and supercharged, 556 horse LSA borrowed from the Cadillac CTS-V.
[3]
The goal with these new engines, just like the LS3 before, is to gain 50-state legality for swaps into all manner of cars and trucks, including “special construction” vehicles (you and I might call them kit cars). To make the point, GM Performance Parts joined forces with Superformance LLC and Duntov Motor Company to build a replica of the legendary ’63 Corvette Grand Sport around the killer LSA E-ROD. Only five of the original cars were built, and we can guarantee none of them started cold, idled smoothly, or had rock solid reliability like this one.
- Supercharged 6.2L
- 556 horsepower/551 pound-feet
[4]
To showcase the 5.3L E-ROD, GM Performance Parts turned to Lingenfelter Performance, well known for their work with Corvettes and Camaros, to build a unique ’55 3100 Series pickup based on a Dynacorn reproduction body. GMPP envisions the workhorse 5.3 finding its way into hot rod cruisers, off-road vehicles, and other projects where reliability and exceptional torque down low are the priority.
- Naturally-aspirated 5.3L
- 315 horsepower/335 pound-feet
[5]