Old-School Cool Lives On at the 2025 GNRS Suede Palace
February 20, 2025
THE AUTO BUILDER
Featured
Final Assembly Tips From The Pros
When building a street rod there are a great many facets of the construction process that go into making the car an award-winning creation. First, there’s planning. The planning of the car can and should include attention to each and every area of the car, from concept to reality. Even the most basic of projects should have the proper planning involved, no matter what the final product might be. Once work has begun on the project, countless hours are generally involved in attending to every detail. From making the many modifications to the chassis to attain the desired drive train, to the matching and mating of the different components together, this becomes an involved process requiring a great deal of skill in fabrication and engineering.
NOT JUST AN EVERYDAY CAM
It can be argued that one of the best mods you can make to an LS-based or Gen III motor is a camshaft change. With the number of aftermarket companies making many different types, a good cam can be found for anywhere from $300 to $1,000, depending upon what type of power you want to make and how sophisticated the cam package is. Because 99.99 percent of all vehicles on the road today are computer controlled, most aftermarket companies are able to suggest whether a new tune will be necessary or if the stock one will suffice. But with so many different options out there, it can be quite confusing as to which is the right one for you.
Buxtosaurus Rex
When the owner brought this truck to Buxton in late 04, it was an old farm truck with a straight-six engine, three on the tree and studded snow tires. Buxton began by boxing the frame and adding an IFS unit. With Air Ride Technologies airbags and 2-inch dropped spindles, the front end of the Chevy was able to go very low. In the rear, a Currie Enterprises 9-inch rearend was suspended with ART airbags on a four-link system. Speaking of the rearend, it has been equipped with Strange Engineering 3.73 gears. As the Chevy would obviously come across a few bumps, aluminum QA1 adjustable shocks are used on all four corners. Speaking of the corners, a set of Wheelsmith smoothie wheels adorns this Chevy, giving it a very cool retro look.
Spotlighter
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT: Gandrud Chevrolet Performance L8P Crate Engine
523 Horsepower. 543 LB-FT. Heavy-Duty Roots With Corvette-Inspired Attitude.
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos courtesy of Gandrud Chevrolet
There’s something satisfying about an engine that brings plenty of cubic inches to the party. Add modern fuel delivery, a performance-focused valvetrain, and some Corvette DNA, and things get interesting fast. The Chevrolet Performance L8P crate engine delivers 523 horsepower and 543 lb.-ft. of torque, combining the L8T’s heavy-duty foundation with upgrades that give this 400-cubic-inch small-block a decidedly different personality.
Heavy-Duty Roots, Performance Ambitions
The 6.6L L8P crate engine starts with a cast-iron block featuring six-bolt nodular main bearing caps. Inside, a forged-steel crankshaft, forged powder-metal connecting rods, and hypereutectic aluminum pistons form the rotating assembly. Aluminum rectangular-port cylinder heads top the package, while a 10.8:1 compression ratio works with premium pump gasoline.
Rated output arrives at 5,800 rpm for horsepower and 4,600 rpm for torque, with a maximum recommended engine speed of 6,000 rpm. That gives builders more than 500 horsepower without needing to chase an extreme engine-speed ceiling.
A Little Corvette Influence Goes a Long Way
The L8P’s extra attitude comes from a coordinated combination of cylinder-head and valvetrain upgrades. Chevrolet Performance uses heads based on the production L8T design, fitted with application-specific valve springs and intake valves. A unique LT2-based camshaft, drawing from the Corvette Stingray’s engine architecture, adds more duration than its production counterpart.
The billet-steel hydraulic roller cam features 218 degrees of intake duration and 231 degrees of exhaust duration at 0.050-inch lift, with 0.549-inch lift on both sides. Its non-AFM design eliminates Active Fuel Management operation from the camshaft configuration. Together, these components help turn a hardworking truck-engine foundation into a purpose-built performance crate engine.
Modern Fuel Delivery, Serious Displacement
An 87mm throttle body and composite intake manifold handle incoming air, while high-pressure direct injection delivers fuel directly into the combustion chambers. Individual ignition coils round out the modern Gen V small-block architecture.
For builders considering a Chevrolet LT engine swap, the L8P offers an appealing combination: 400 cubic inches, naturally aspirated power, and the strength of an iron-block foundation. It’s a compelling starting point when the project calls for substantial horsepower and torque without adding a supercharger or turbocharger.
What’s Included—and What Your Build Needs
Available through GM Performance Motor, the L8P crate engine, part number 19541143, includes the intake and throttle body, oil pan, installed high-pressure fuel pump, and eight-bolt flexplate. The listing identifies it as the replacement for part number 19435523.
Plan for the supporting components when putting together your swap. The water pump, engine controller, wiring harness, oxygen sensors, and front accessory drive system are sold separately. GM Performance Motor lists Chevrolet Performance control kit 19435524 for use with a 6L80-E automatic transmission.
Give Your Project Some Cubic-Inch Confidence
A great build deserves an engine that makes opening the hood—and opening the throttle—equally rewarding. With 523 horsepower, 543 lb.-ft. of torque, and a combination of heavy-duty hardware and performance engineering, the Chevrolet Performance L8P brings plenty to both occasions. Visit GM Performance Motor to explore the engine and put together the supporting parts for your next build.
ARTICLE SOURCES
Gandrud Performance Parts
Unbeatable Prices on GM Crate Engines and More with Free Shipping on orders over $100 to 48 States!
