GM ZR1 Engine Build Experience

[Kevin G.]

Want to build your new ZR1 engine, well now you can! Looks like your name is added onto the engine too! Best of all, the engine still comes with it's full warranty.

http://media.gm.com/content/media/us/en/news/news_detail.brand_gm.html/content/Pages/news/us/en/2010/Oct/1028_SEMA

[Lance R.]

Re: GM ZR1 Engine Build Experience

building your own engine would be great and they are doing it for the Z06 also.

[Tom H.]

Re: GM ZR1 Engine Build Experience

RPO code PBC. The cost. 5800.00

[Chuck S.]

Re: GM ZR1 Engine Build Experience

WHEWWWWW!!! I had heard something about this on one those "How Do They Do It" shows.

I thought then it would take a lot of b*lls to think you could put your own ultra high performance engine together and not have any problems with it...and that was BEFORE I learned it cost $5800 for the priviledge. The $5800 must be GM's insurance premium to cover any owner/builder screwups.

[Clem Z.]

Re: GM ZR1 Engine Build Experience

WHEWWWWW!!! I had heard something about this on one those "How Do They Do It" shows.

I thought then it would take a lot of b*lls to think you could put your own ultra high performance engine together and not have any problems with it...and that was BEFORE I learned it cost $5800 for the priviledge. The $5800 must be GM's insurance premium to cover any owner/builder screwups.

i have been thru this facility and there is no way to screw up as almost everything is automated. it is almost a production line except one guy does all the work as the engine moves from station to station,he moves with the engine. the bolts are torqued by automatic gang wrenches tied to computers just like on the production line at other engine factories. the heads come completely assembled and just need bolted onto the block. the worker installs the crank and piston and rod assy which already has the rod and rings on the pistons. any bolt torqued by hand has the torque wrench tied to a computer so a record is kept of the torque setting. neat place as they weigh the engine at the end of the line to make sure no parts or the oil was left out. all engines go to a computerize engine test stand to be run in before shipping to the bowling green factory

[Jim T.]

Re: GM ZR1 Engine Build Experience

i have been thru this facility and there is no way to screw up as almost everything is automated. it is almost a production line except one guy does all the work as the engine moves from station to station,he moves with the engine. the bolts are torqued by automatic gang wrenches tied to computers just like on the production line at other engine factories. the heads come completely assembled and just need bolted onto the block. the worker installs the crank and piston and rod assy which already has the rod and rings on the pistons. any bolt torqued by hand has the torque wrench tied to a computer so a record is kept of the torque setting. neat place as they weigh the engine at the end of the line to make sure no parts or the oil was left out. all engines go to a computerize engine test stand to be run in before shipping to the bowling green factory

Clem any information you can share on how the engine is run on the test stand before shipping? Have always wondered how my 1996 LT4 engine was tested before it was installed.

[Clem Z.]

Re: GM ZR1 Engine Build Experience

Clem any information you can share on how the engine is run on the test stand before shipping? Have always wondered how my 1996 LT4 engine was tested before it was installed.

they spin them up using a electric motor and monitor all the fuctions like oil pressure and friction

[Terry M.]

Re: GM ZR1 Engine Build Experience

Clem any information you can share on how the engine is run on the test stand before shipping? Have always wondered how my 1996 LT4 engine was tested before it was installed.

I think your LT4 was built at Flint Engine. Their procedures regarding engine test were likely different than those at Wixom. Some of us got to tour Flint in the early '90s and again in the mid-'90s.