Selecting the engine in your project car is just as important as choosing the car to put it into. GM and GM Performance Parts has introduced an all new package that will make building, and registering your classic project both simple and rewarding. It’s call the E-Rod line of engines, and they are going to change the way you restore classic muscle cars.
If you want to see more on this new engine offering or oh the featured car, check out the 100 photos we have in the photo gallery.
With the help of GMPP, making your vehicle both powerful and smog/CARB legal is now a simple bolt in procedure. They are able to do this by offering complete engine packages that will include all the necessary components to pass the rigorous smog regulations.
Even if you live in California, this engine package is legal for use in your state as well.
What better way to showcase this new program than by building a car for SEMA that has been the flagship classic car for longer than most of us have been building cars, the 1955 Chevy.
What is the GM E-Rod Engine line?
The new E-Rod engine package enables a consumer to build any vehicle with a selected GM power plant and make it completely smog legal. To find out more about the E-Rod, we spoke to Jamie Meyer the Associate Marketing Manager of GM Performance Parts and Mike Copeland the Project Manager of GM Performance Division. “The E-ROD package was developed in direct response to our customer's needs”, says Meyer. “SEMA and the California-based car builders were facing a January 1, 2010 amnesty deadline that could have resulted in only a very limited number of so-called ‘new vehicle builds’ (think Cobra kit cars, '32 Highboys, and re-popped musclecars here) to be legally built, registered, and titled. *What this program allows you to do is to build a brand new kit car, install an E-ROD engine package, pass a BAR inspection and smog check, and legally register these vehicles in CA.” To obtain the covenant CARB approval for installation into emission controlled vehicles, GMPP needed to be able to cover all angles. Here is what they came up with.
Each E-Rod Engine Package will include the following:
- Engine
- Engine Harness
- Catalytic Converter (Left & Right Bank)
- Fuel Tank Evaporative Emissions Canister
- Mass Airflow Sensor
- Mass Airflow Sensor Boss
- Accelerator Pedal
- Front Oxygen Sensors
- Rear Oxygen Sensors
- Oxygen Sensor mounting boss
- Engine Control Module
- Exhaust Manifold (Left & Right Bank)
- Dry Element Air Filter
- Complete/detailed instruction manual
What this creates is a full emission controlled engine package that can be tested and repaired no different than a brand new Camaro or Corvette rolling off the assembly line. In fact, all of the components are sourced from the Camaro and other GM vehicles, making obtaining replacement parts both easy and cost effective to the consumer. With no special parts needed, any GM dealer could service or replace these components. But if you think even for a second that these engines are going to be choked down, boring economy engines, you don’t know GM Performance Parts!
GMPP understands that the needs for each project someone might build are different. From drag racing to Friday night cruisers, each market will have different demands from the engine equipped in the vehicle. To make sure that everyone could benefit from this ground breaking program, different engines will be offered. This will give you the chance to pick exactly what engine goes into your hot rod with out having to settle on just one choice. As of right now, there are two options available, and if you are like me, you will be happy to know they are pushrod V8s.
The first two engines offered in the GM E-Rod engine line up are LS based engines. First up is the LS327. This sometimes under appreciated engine has proven it self as the base engine in thousands of GM trucks and SUVs and would make the perfect addition to any classic muscle car. With 327 HP and 347 TQ, this 5.3 L (327 Cubic Inch) engine has also been found in the Monte Carlos, Impalas and Grand Prixs just a few years ago.
For those looking for a little more performance, GMPP is also offering the powerful LS3 engine - which is usually found in 2008+ Corvettes, the 2010 Camaro SS and 2009 G8 GXPs. Now you can add 430 HP and 424 TQ to any older car to bring modern reliability without loosing performance. While that may not seem that different to crate engines offered from GMPP before, there is much more that is included in the E-Rod package than a crate engine.
Future Engine Offerings
GM is ready to jump on board with this program and offer full support in the form of the GM engines that we have all come to know and love. In addition to the LS327 and LS3, future engines currently lined up to be offered include the LS7, the 7.0 L (427 Cubic Inches) 505 HP 475 TQ monster normally found in the Corvette Z06, as well as the LSA, the 550 HP supercharged 6.2 L engine from the CTS-V.
The LS327 and LS3 are both out right now, and according to GM, the LS7 and LSA will be released in early 2010. Meyer tells us, “Once those two programs (The LS327 and LS3) are launched, we'll turn our attention to the LS7 (those 427 badges on your Cobra kit car will still work) and the ridiculously-powerful LSA. *Go drive a new CTS-V - a car that runs high-11 bone stock at 4200-plus pounds - to get an idea of where we are headed with E-ROD engines. *Anyone that thinks emissions compliance and big horsepower can't live together is going to be proven dead wrong!”
While those are all push rod V8 engines, they won’t be the only engine type available in the GM E-Rod Program. While the release dates are still in the works, GM is prepared to offer the Direct Injection V6 engine from the 2010 Camaro that makes 304 HP and 273 TQ. There is even a rumor of a 4-cylinder option in the works, but no information was available at this time.
What does this mean to you?
GM has taken the painstaking process of trying to get a specialty vehicle smoged out of the picture without giving up a single horsepower. Plus because every kit includes a crate engine, there is no need to worry about building an engine, this is plug and play.
The benefits extend beyond that though. Think of all the time you would spend running down parts, making sure they fit, making sure they work with other components and everything else. With the GMPP E-Rod Engine Package, all you do is order one part number and everything needed for the engine is shipped to your door.
Everything is CARB approved, even for those lucky enough to live in California. GMPP couldn’t forget about the Golden State, and for good reason. Anyone that lives in the wild wild west, and has modified their vehicle, can contest as to what a big deal this is. No more sweating when the Smog check card comes in the mail any more. “Honestly, this product will reinvent hotrodding in California because these companies can focus on building great cars with the confidence that SEMA and GM have developed a program for their customers to 1) buy these cars and 2) get them registered/titled in CA. *You also have to take into consideration the other states that follow the CARB recommendations on these topics. *We are working closely with SEMA to continue this work in other states,” according to Meyer.
Enter The E-Rod 55 Chevy
What better way to showcase the future of hot rodding than build a car that ties the future in with the past. GMPP picked this 1955 Chevy for that exact reason. This car has been in the GM family for some time as part of the GM Heritage Center and was acquired by GM Performance Parts for a greater purpose and an LS3 engine!
The car itself was first built in the St. Louis assembly plant in early 1955. The 210 sedan was equipped with a straight-6, automatic transmission, yellow/tan exterior, and a green/tan interior. It was then first sold in Ohio, where it found it’s way to Arizona, and in the late-70‘s, was purchased back by GM to be used as a marketing vehicle. Before you think that GMPP has destroyed a perfect classic car, according to GM records, this car has had three different powertrains (including an LT1 and LS2) and at least two different paint jobs prior to this project - making it the perfect for this project.
The real reason this car was chosen was regardless of the engine swaps and different paint it has received over the years, all the sheet metal and the chassis is the original. No rust, no damage - it is a hot rodders dream! The car was taken to the Milford Proving Grounds where Mike Copeland and Dave Ross, a designer at GM, along with their team took over. It was stripped down, and the custom paint scheme applied. The paint is custom PPG Waterborne in custom GM colors. And if you look at the car just right, you’ll see hints of green in the white. The team retained the original stainless steel moldings, which were polished and reinstalled. CARS Inc. supplied several exterior components, but the design team did build custom front and rear emblems with a ’10 GM design in the 55’s classic design.
The chassis is the production frame with many of the components being the standard equipment for this vehicle when it rolled on the assembly line in 1955. This was done to keep a more nostalgic feel to complement the modern day performance. Brand new Eaton reproduction coil springs were added to bring back the spring in this cars ride, as were Monroe front shocks. They also added a larger sway bar in the front and an aftermarket sway bar in the rear. To give the car a better stance, 2 inch drop spindles were added to the front.
To keep this car looking more like a car the everyday man would build, GM Performance Parts hit the GM parts bin and sourced many of the components from other GM vehicles to complete this car- a true hot rod! The brakes are a four-wheel disc set up, sourced from the C4 Corvette. On the rear those are mounted to a GM 7.5 inch axle, commonly found in the Chevy S10 pickup truck. 4.10:1 gears were installed with an Eaton Limited Slip to give this car some grunt off the line. “Some people like billet parts, some like using racing parts on their build,” explained Copeland, “I like using OE parts. You get the testing and development that goes into these parts along with that hot rod feel.”
You might expect to see a set of wild one-off wheels. Not the case, but the end result is just as stunning. The team decided to use a set of 2010 Camaro black steel wheels to go along with the Camaro-Spec LS3 engine under the hood. The end look still brings questions to peoples faces as everyone was surprised to find that these are OE Chevy wheels, so it comes as no surprise that this part of the build . To make them work with this project, the build team moved the center of the wheel back 1.25 inches on the front and back as well. Though the rear was widened by 1 inch. This was the perfect foundation for a set of BFG Tires.
Moving to the interior of the E-Rod, GMPP wanted a classic look that would best represent what a normal guy would build. “We have once again been fortunate to tap the talents of Dave Ross, who worked with GM Performance Parts on the '69 Reggie Jackson Camaro, Project-X, and the LS7 Camaro,” commented Meyer. “Dave, like all of the designers at GM, is a genius who can sit down at a table, study the project, and draw up a show-stopper. *For this car, Dave was really influenced by what it means to have a "clean" hot rod with production-car levels of emissions and power. *From the colors, the water-based paint, recyclable steel Camaro rims, original '55 fabrics that speak to the environment - he has once again brought more to a project car than a flashy paint job and billet rims.”
GMPP sourced CARS INC to handle the interior work. These guys know 50s Chevy cars like the back of their hand and offer a full line of interior, exterior, chassis and powertrain components for anyone looking to restore one of these iconic cars. For this car, they dug up interior pieces from original 55 Chevys and blended in different colors that had before this car, never been found together. The result is stunning as the look of the car is both modern and classic, making it a perfect fit into this car.
Then it was time to plug the driveline into the car. GMPP selected the Camaro Spec LS3 to be the first engine to get the E-Rod treatment. The modern engine fits snugly in the classic engine bay were a tired old engine once sat. The engine it self is no different than the production engine found in the 2010 Camaro, except the computer that is equipped with it. Included in this kit is the GMPP Engine Harness and LS Controller. For a transmission, the GMPP 4L70E is mounted just behind the bell housing.
The manifolds are off of the Chevy Colorado and provided a perfect fit when mounted to the GMPP converters. These are connected to the custom 2.5 inch exhaust complete with DynoMax Mufflers.
But details aside, the car is both stunning and meaningful. Look for these kits to start hitting the streets in the early part of next year. Personally, I’ll be holding out for the LSA. 550 HP in a smog legal package has to be one of the greatest thing to happen to this industry. And if you think that this car was just slapped together for SEMA and doesn’t run, you would be wrong. “This car has what I call through the window drivability,” says Copeland. “You can reach in through the window, turn the key, and it starts right up and idles like a dream.” As far as the ride of the car, Copeland commented that he owns an original SS Chevelle and that the E-Rod rides smoother and is just as much, if not more, fun to drive. All of this in an environmental conscious cruiser that can be filled up with pump gas and run mid-12s in the quarter mile. What more can an enthusiast ask for.
For more information on the E-Rod engine line, visit
www.gmperformanceparts.com.
And for EVEN MORE photos of this car, check out the
photo gallery link here.
GM Performance Parts E-Rod Spec Sheet:
Powertrain:
GMPP C.A.R.B. approved LS3
GMPP Engine Harness / Controller Kit
GMPP 4L70E Transmission
GMPP Supermatic Transmission Controller and Harness
GMT 355 (Chevy Colorado) Exhaust Manifolds, with GMPP Converters
Custom 2.5" Dual Exhaust with Dynomax Mufflers
Be Cool aluminum radiator / fan package
Driveline:
GM 7.5" S-10 Rear Axle
4.10 Ratio
Eaton Limited Slip
Aluminum Driveshaft
Chassis:
Front:
Production Control Arms
Eaton Reproduction Coil Springs
Monroe Front Shocks
Larger Sway Bar
2" Drop Front Spindles
C4 Corvette Brake Calipers and Rotors
14mm Wheel Studs
Saginaw 605 Power Steering Gear
Rear:
Eaton Reproduction Leaf Springs
Aftermarket Sway Bar
Monroe Rear Shocks
C4 Corvette Brake Calipers and Rotors
14mm Studs
Body:
Original Body repainted at GM Milford Proving Grounds in Media Prep.
PPG Waterborne paint in custom colors.
Original stainless steel moldings polished and reused
Bowties in original front and back emblems replaced with 2010 GM design.
All additional new exterior components supplied by CARS Inc.
Interior:
Custom upholstery made in 1955 Chevy Bel Air convertible pattern by CARS Inc
Custom Colors selected by Dave Ross of GM Design, and installed by Tech's at GM Tech Center
IDIDIT 8 position tilt steering column
Grand reproduction Corvette wood steering wheel
Wheels and Tires:
Front:
2010 Camaro Steel Wheel, 18X7.5" with center moved 1.25" back
Custom Center Cap
235/50R18 BFG G Force T/A Tires
Rear
2010 Camaro Steel Wheel, 18X7.5", with center moved back 1.25" and widened 1" to 8.5".
Custom Center Cap
245/55R18 BFG G Force T/A Tires
Build Partners:
Complete interior supplied by CARS Inc.
Cooling system supplied by Be Cool.
Steering Column supplied by IDIDIT.
Steering Wheel supplied by Grant Industries.
Linear Mode
