Project American Heros III 1970 Chevelle Engine Install

[RT66MOTORSPORTS]

Hello, my name is Matt and I'm one of the techs working on the Project American Heros III. If you haven’t already heard, the PAH III 1970 Chevelle will be sporting the new GM performance LSA crate motor backed by a TCI 4L80E transmission. I will keep you posted on the entire install. If you have any questions feel free to drop me a PM.

This week we removed the LSA from it’s create. I must say it was like unwrapping a present on Christmas day. Inside the create sat a complete engine from the crank pulley to the clutch. We are not using the clutch. Once off the pallet I prepped the engine for mock up in the chassis.
The exhaust manifolds and clutch were removed, engine lift brackets were made and the transmission was bolted to the block. Edlebrock supplied the LS conversion kit and complete exhaust system.

Once the entire assembly was mocked up inside of the engine compartment there were a few small clearance issues:
Headers, steering rag joint, right side inner tie rod end, a/c compressor and firewall. The fun part will be finding the engine assemblies “sweet spot”. Here are a few pics so far:







Matt

[AALynch]

Looks like some great work...bear my ignorance, does the LSA use the same supercharger as the LS9? What else is difference between the two?

[tones2SS]

Very nice Matt!!
How do those Edelbrock headers fit?

[RT66MOTORSPORTS]

Originally Posted by AALynch

Looks like some great work...bear my ignorance, does the LSA use the same supercharger as the LS9? What else is difference between the two?

There are quite a few differences between the two.
1. Price. The LS9 is about twice as much as the LSA.
2. The internals are far more shall we say heavy duty in the LS9
3. LS9 has a 2400 series supercharger, LSA 1900 series
4. LS9 has about 75 more HP with room to spare.
5. LS9 was build for the Corvette making things far more complicated when installing it into muscle car.
6. LSA is a nice compact system.
7. LSA is a wet sump system while the LS9 is a dry.

Both engines are very nice but I would have to say the LSA gives more bang for the buck and is much more user freindly.

Originally Posted by tones2SS

Very nice Matt!!
How do those Edelbrock headers fit?

Thanks! The Edelbrock headers fit great. The one thing I noticed about the Edelbrock adapter plates is they work much better with the Energy Suspension motor mounts. I have less clearance with a stock style motor mount.

More pictures and updates on the way.
Matt

[RT66MOTORSPORTS]

Once the engine was mocked inside the engine compartment I found several small clearance issues.
The stock A/C compressor and bracket will not clear the frame cross member, the alternator is close to the steering box and back of the right head is very close to the firewall.
The front accessory drive system is designed to work with the LSA’s supercharger so there was very little I could do about repositioning the alternator. After taking a look at the situation, I figured that I would position the engine (back) to clear the steering gearbox and the frame. Once the DSE steering gear box came in I had even more clearance. Thanks DSE! The steering box looks like a great unit, can’t wait to try it out. Replacing the rage joint with a Flaming River joint will give me clearance for the alternator plug. Now on to the firewall!
Clearance between the right head and firewall are even tighter now that the engine was moved back. I could have left it alone but I just didn’t like the idea of it that close. We had Kevin, our sheet metal fabricator, section the center of the firewall and move it over towards the passenger side.
Next, I’ll have reposition the engine mounts and brackets to gain clearance for the new A/C Peanut style compressor, work on notching the frame and quickly fab up some A/C brackets.




To be continued…….

[RT66MOTORSPORTS]

Just a quick update on the PAHIII Chevelle.