One of the last areas to be modernized in the catalog of Pro Touring upgrades is engines. While we now have brakes, suspensions, interiors, safety equipment, electronics, wheels and tires that would have astounded automotive engineers from 50 years ago, many builders have been relying on engines little different from the day their project first rolled out of the factory.

One of the companies leading the way in changing this is GM Performance Parts and they demonstrated what could be a typical project car during the most recent Power Tour, which involved a trip from Florida to Michigan.

The company is responding to the expectations of a new generation of hot rodders and custom car builders, where greater fuel economy and lower emissions are important to their projects.

Their current E-ROD is a 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air, powered by the E-ROD LS3 engine for automatic transmissions. Over the course of the Tour, it delivered an average of 23 mpg while keeping 430 horsepower ready at all times.

In addition, the engine’s emissions performance is so good that it has an Executive Order from California Air Resources Board (CARB), making it legal for installation in pre-OBD II (1996-and-earlier) vehicles in that state.

GMPP engineers are working with CARB for approval to allow E-ROD engines to be installed in “special construction” vehicles. They would include vehicles with new bodies that come with new vehicle identification numbers.

In addition to the emissions-compliant engines, GMPP makes suitable manual and automatic transmissions, such as the electronically controlled 4L65-E model, available from authorized dealers.