It's no secret that the first place most of us turn when doing an engine swap is to GM. The venerable GM small block V8s have found their way into 4x4s since they were first introduced in the mid-1950s. The TBI 350 of the late-'80s to mid-'90s was, and still is, the easiest V8 ever to swap into a Jeep. TPI L98s and newer LS-series mills are now installed in more 4x4s than any other swapped engine. Besides the superb engines, GM transmissions have proven themselves up to any challenge off-roaders can throw at them and are the trannys of choice when a powertrain upgrade is needed.
The LS1 V8 that first appeared in the Corvette years ago was a great high-tech addition to GM's V8 legacy. Off-roaders and trail riders found that the LS1 and later LS-series V8s were not only light and powerful, but returned much better fuel economy than, say, the 4.0 liter six they replaced in a Jeep. Besides factory controllers, the aftermarket stepped in and offers many options for controlling the LS series engines and 4L60E transmissions that are usually installed at the same time. These have proven to be very reliable.
In the high-performance engine world, extreme horsepower is a given. To fend off increasing competition from aftermarket block manufacturers, GM engineers have introduced the LSX, a new V8 that moves the LS series further into the 21st Century and is of great interest to us.
At SEMA this year, GM will be bringing us the LSX 376 and LSX 454 crate engines that will be ready for swapping. To us, the most interesting of these is the LSX 376 (6.2L), with forged pistons and hydraulic roller cam. The LSX will produce 450 horsepower with production fuel injection. GM Performance Parts will also have an LSX controller that will supply "plug and play" performance. The LSX features a cast iron block and will be able to handle up to 2,000 horsepower. You sand draggers and mudders take note. Check out the photo to see some of the many features GM has designed into the LSX block.
The parts available to swap a GM V8 into a Jeep or other 4x4 make a GM V8 swap the easiest to perform of any (except a Hemi into a JK). 4L60E and other GM automatics are perfect for off-roading with their low first gears and tall overdrives. The LSX makes choosing a GM Performance Parts crate engine even easier. The LSX is a high-performance, high-efficiency (good mpg), mill for everyone that can handle even the highest horsepower requirements of today's builder. We can't wait to install one in something.
LSX376 SPECIFICATIONS:
Part number: 19171049
Engine type: LSX Series Gen IV small-block V-8
Displacement (cu in / L): 376 / 6.2L
Bore x stroke (in / mm): 4.06 x 3.62 / 103.25 x 92
Block (P/N 19166454): LSX cast iron with six-bolt, cross-bolted main caps
Crankshaft: nodular iron
Connecting rods: powdered metal
Pistons: forged aluminum
Camshaft type: hydraulic roller
Valve lift (in): 0.551 intake / 0.522 exhaust
Duration (deg @ 0.050 in): 204 intake / 211 exhaust
Cylinder heads (P/N 12598594): LS3 rectangular port; as cast with 68cc chambers
Valve size (in): 2.16 intake / 1.59 exhaust
Compression ratio: 10.7:1
Rocker arms: investment cast, roller trunnion
Rocker arm ratio: 1.7:1
Recommended fuel: 92 octane
Reluctor wheel: 58X
Balanced: internal