This exciting new program allows enthusiasts to enjoy that magical do-it-yourself feeling, while still enjoying the value of a factory-engineered, warranted crate engine.
Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports says, “Building an engine is a time-honored tradition in hot rodding, and this exciting new program allows enthusiasts to enjoy that magical do-it-yourself feeling, while still enjoying the value of a factory-engineered, warranted crate engine. For hands-on hot rodders, this program truly enables them to say they did it all when it came to building their project. There’s nothing else like it in the industry.”
The second big crate engine news announcement is the release of GM’s “Connect and Cruise” packages. The “Connect and Cruise” packages will be for builders who want to secure all the necessary parts to put an LS crate engine and transmission in their car at one time, and not have to shop for each component individually. With just one part number you can save time and money by purchasing your crate engine, ECM and wiring harness, automatic transmission, and transmission controller all at once. The first two combos to be offered under Connect and Cruise will be the 556 horsepower LSA and a 4L85-E transmission (Part Number CPSLSA4L85E) and the much-respected LS3 with a 4L65-E trans (Part Number CPSLS34L65E).
To demonstrate the type of build that “Connect and Cruise” might be utilized in, GMPP teamed up with Dale Earnhardt, Jr., on an awesome 1970 Chevelle SS project car. The Chevelle is powered by the LSA Connect and Cruise package, and sports a laundry list of impressive aftermarket components. The stunning metallic gray paint job is set off by a set of flat-black ZL1 style 20-inch wheels (and we’re curious when these wheels will be made available through the Chevrolet Accessories catalog…), bolted over a set of massive Baer Brakes calipers.
Connect and Cruise is a great concept from our point of view – we’ll be anxiously looking forward to the day when GMPP offers the CPSLS9TR6060 part number!