Christmas came early this year!

I now have a brand new Chevrolet Performance LS3 Corvette Engine with a 4L65E 4 speed overdrive transmission.  I purchased what they call a Connect and Cruise Crate Package. It contained all of the computers, wiring harness, sensors, nuts and bolts and even a drive by wire throttle pedal!  I also bought an accessory drive package which contains all of the pulleys, brackets along with a new 150 amp alternator, power steering pump and pulley, and A/C compressor.

The LS3 is the 3rd generation of the new small block GM engine. It is all aluminum block and heads that only weighs 406 lbs  as contrasted to the 400 cu in small block Chevy engine in my 1939 Ford. The LS3 is 6.2L (376 cu in) and is rated at 430 HP with 424 LB-FT of torque, it has the high flow 10.8:1 heads from the L92 option – Similar to the head design on the LS7.  From what I have read, a simple camshaft change and tune will get you to around 550 HP and over 400 HP at the rear wheels! And is still capable of getting  18-25 MPG.

I have a 3 row aluminum radiator on order and will be buying a new gas tank with an internal fuel pump.  I was going to modify the steel tank that came with the chassis until I took a close look at it… it’s a tank from a ’35-36 Ford and the filler pipe is in the wrong location. Thanks to Charlie Cover’s recommendation I will be ordering a new poly tank from Tanks Inc. which gets me another 3 gallons of fuel capacity and eliminates a lot of fuel tank problems caused by our ethanol fuels these days.

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Conrad has an early Christmas!

Next up 1st pass install of engine and tranny in the chassis to check the fit and weld in the motor mounts. After that I can determine how much recess I need in the firewall to get the engine as far back as I can. I have found a low profile 2500 CFM fan with shroud which should be perfect.

Still need to make a decision about the air suspension; does it stay or does it go… still thinking…

C.