It’s no secret that LSX engines make big horsepower. The ability to just toss on a blower or a turbo and crank up the power is always a plus. But what if you just want to make serious, naturally aspirated, pants-wetting raw power? There are very few people who have the know-how to build an engine like that. Jud Massingill, owner of The School of Automotive Machinists, is one of the few who does. SAM has been known for pumping out some nice numbers on their builds, and this time around is no different. In preparation for this year’s LSX Shootout in Memphis, they’ve brought something a little new to the table. Something with a little more grunt. Something that rings your ears at, let’s say, a mind-blowing 9600 RPM!!!

Check out more at the School of Automotive Machinists site at www.samracing.com.

That’s right, I said it! 9600 RPM on a GM Performance Parts LSX block. Its massive 433 cubic inches, Wisecopistons, Beck sheet metal intake, Comp Cams solid roller camshaft, Jesel valvetrain with Del West Titanium valves, and C5R heads give this high revving engine a nice 15.5:1 compression ratio. You can forget pump gas! SAM filled their new block with plenty of Royal Purple XRP Racing Oil, filled up the tank with some of VP Fuel’s new Q16 racing fuel, and cranked the LSX up.

The port work on the heads was done as a joint effort between both faculty and students. Man, what I would have given to be involved in a project like this when I was in school! I’m guessing that these guys are going to get a satisfactory chill up their spines when they see their ’99 Hugger Orange SS hit the track and blow much, if not all, of the competition away.

Photos courtesy of SAM.

It is interesting to note that most of the components in this engine are the same as the one that the team ran last year and had issues with. The problem was, they were running a C5.R aluminum block and were having trouble keeping the cylinders round once they turned up the power. That combination made a best of 945 horsepower on the dyno. By just swapping to the LSX block, and with a small increase in compression, they were able to get an extra 56 horsepower. “We added a little more dome to the pistons this year,” explained Massingill. “With the extra strength of the LSX block, we knew it was ready for it.”

SAM says that per class rules, they will be using a single throttle body for the LSX Shootout. I myself can’t wait to see the results.

SAM is also making a few other changes to the car. The 4-speed clutch transmission that was in the car has been replaced by a new Liberty clutchless 5-speed. Massingill hopes that the extra gear and newfound horsepower will help to propel the SAM Camaro into the Winner’s Circle this October in Memphis.