Chevy offers customers the chance to build their own LS7, LS9 crate engine

Similar to  the Corvette Engine Build Experience that allows Corvette Z06 and ZR1 customers to participate in the assembly of the engine destined for their car, Chevrolet Performance is now offering customers the chance to build their own LS7 or LS9 crate engine.

“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,” said Jim Campbell, GM U.S. vice president of Performance Vehicles and Motorsports. “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 program icnludes  part number 19259944 for the 505-hp LS7, which has an MSRP of $22,756.10, and part number 19259945 for the 638-hp LS9, which has an MSRP of $32,050.

Upon completion, a personalized nameplate is added to the engine. Each assembled engine carries Chevrolet Performance’s 24-month/50,000-mile limited warranty.

The program will debut next week at the 2011 SEMA Show.

Check out the LS7 and LS9 specs after the jump.

LS7 specs

Displacement: 7.0L (427 cubic inches)
Bore x stroke: 4.125 x 4.000 inches
Crankshaft: forged steel
Connecting rods: forged titanium
Cylinder heads: CNC-ported aluminum
Valves: 2.20-inch titanium, intake; 1.61-inch sodium-filled, exhaust
Induction: natural aspirated
Compression ratio: 11:1
Horsepower: 505 @ 6,300 rpm
Torque: 470 lb.-ft. @ 4,800 rpm

LS9 specs

Displacement: 6.2L (376 cubic inches)
Bore x stroke: 4.125 x 3.620 inches
Crankshaft: forged steel
Connecting rods: forged titanium
Cylinder heads: roto-cast aluminum
Valves: 2.16-inch titanium, intake; 1.59-inch sodium-filled, exhaust
Induction: supercharged
Compression ratio: 9.1:1
Horsepower: 638 @ 6,500 rpm
Torque: 604 lb.-ft. @ 3,800 rpm

– By: Omar Rana