This Modded Chevy Crate Engine Sold For More Than A Toyota RAV4
Chevrolet is probably the most popular brand when it comes to crate engines and is often the brand of choice for engine swaps. The Chevy small block 350 is the most successful crate engine ever made. While they mostly focus on affordable everyday bikes, they also produce high-performance bikes. the much loved LS7.
Some special engines are now offered with high price tags. Following this trend, an LT4 engine tuned by Late Model Engines like the C7 Corvette Z06, Camaro ZL1, and Cadillac CTS-V sold for a jaw-dropping price of $40,250. Bring a Trailer. For reference, that’s not too far off from the average car price in the US, which is currently around $50,000. You can even pick up a well-equipped Toyota RAV4 Hybrid XSE trim for just under $40,000.
In stock form, the 6.2-liter LT4 V8 produces 650 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque, but this is no ordinary LT4. LME tinkered with its internals and, as tested, recorded a tire-shredding 821 horsepower and 797 lb-ft of torque on the dyno. LME is a performance engine manufacturer based in Texas that specializes in high-performance Chevrolet-based V8s and offers all types of engine-related tuning. They are known for their CNC ported cylinder heads for a variety of engines; this allows them to fine-tune airflow and compression ratios for specific applications.
Read more: The 5 Most Powerful Engines Participating in the Pontiac Grand Prix
What Makes This LT4 a Pump Gas Monster?
Supercharged 6.2-liter LT4 V8 under the hood of the Camaro ZL1 – Zoran Karapancev/Shutterstock
Engines commanding such high prices are usually race-prepared units, built for bulletproof durability while adhering to strict racing specifications. Like GM’s LSX crate engine. But what really makes this engine special is that it runs on pump gas. Usually engines producing this kind of power require high-octane race fuel, but LME tuned this LT4 to produce 821 horsepower on standard 93-octane pump gas; This is pretty rare for an engine that doesn’t run a lot of turbos.
Custom engines require custom construction, and LME has done much more than just increase support. For starters, the engine is precision bored to 4.070 inches. It’s also equipped with some of the best components available for LT engines: a Callies forged crankshaft with Texas Speed I-beam connecting rods, Diamond 2K forged pistons, and ARP 2000 bolts.
No custom build is complete without a performance camshaft. LME used a special ground Cam Motion unit with 244/252 duration. It also includes Brian Tooley .660 lift valve springs and Johnson 2116LSR connecting rod lifters. To handle the added support, LME equipped the LT4 with a GripTec 2.30-inch upper spool and a DSX 9.06-inch lower spool on a ZPE hub.
The factory supercharger remains in place but benefits from new bearings, fresh oil and a larger 103mm throttle body opening. Fuel is delivered through improved fuel injectors derived from the Fuel Injector Linkage. Finally, it also includes a billet timing chain, timing cover, and titanium valve retainers from Late Model Engines. The team also moved the cylinder heads and supercharger to improve airflow efficiency.
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