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40 Years Later
Carl Casper’s name has been synonymous with the custom car movement for a long time. As a teenager, Casper created his famous ’51 Chevrolet custom, the Exotic Empress. The car went on to win the 1961 NHRA National Custom Car Championship. (You know it was a long time ago if NHRA was promoting car shows!) Carl Casper is a talented guy who can perform virtually every task required to build a world-class custom car, from metal fabrication to paint and upholstery, and while many of his creations took the form of wild custom cars, they were all driveable.

RCR SERIES3 Camaro
Even in a crowd of first-rate ’69 Camaros, few will mistake the look and sound of the limited-edition RCR Series3 Camaros, a stunning expression of automotive passion, excitement and history.

Product Spotlight: Bill Mitchell Products HARDCORE Manowar Valve Covers for Small Block Ford
If you’re building a serious Small Block Ford, the details matter — and nothing finishes off an engine bay like a killer set of valve covers. Enter Bill Mitchell Products BMP D70870 Valve Covers, branded with the unmistakable HARDCORE Manowar logo. Originally part of BMP’s 600hp street engine crate program, these covers are now available individually — and at a can’t-miss closeout price.
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Product Spotlight: Bill Mitchell Products Aluminum LS Engine Block
Lightweight Muscle for Serious Builds
Author
The Auto Builder Staff
Photos Courtesy of Bill Mitchell Products
Precision Dimensions for Big Performance
The block sports a 9.240″ deck height with 4.115″ cylinder bores and 4.400″ bore centers, perfectly engineered for aggressive builds while maintaining true LS compatibility. Five billet steel main caps, all four-bolt and cross-bolted, keep the crank planted no matter how hard you push. Torque the studs to 75 ft-lbs, the cross bolts to 30 ft-lbs, and you’ve got a bottom end that laughs at high RPMs and boost alike.
Rebuildable and Engineered for Longevity
Each cylinder comes with a replaceable dry ductile steel sleeve, pressed to exact tolerances for maximum durability. Builders can safely bore up to 4.165″, opening the door to serious displacement upgrades. And with priority main oiling and dry-sump provisions, this block ensures your engine gets the lubrication it demands under even the harshest conditions. Screw-in freeze plugs, cam plug, all dowel pins, and pipe plugs come included—this block is ready to go straight from the box to your build.
Built for Builders
Every detail of the BMP‑086515 is designed with the engine builder in mind. Standard GM LS bearings, camshaft placement, and lifter bores make assembly predictable, while the block’s LSX head bolt pattern and drilled-and-tapped motor mounts give you flexibility for retrofits or high-performance swaps. From oil passages to bearing alignment, Bill Mitchell has dialed in the details so your build goes smooth and fast.
Quick Specs
Application: High-performance GM LS replacement
Material / Weight: 357T6 Aluminum, 135 lbs w/ caps & sleeves
Deck Height: 9.240″ (standard) | Bores: 3.990″ or 4.115″, replaceable dry sleeves
Main Caps: 5 × 4-bolt billet steel, cross-bolted
Cam / Lifters: Standard GM placement & tie-bar lifters
Oil System: Priority main, dry-sump provisions
Stroke Clearance: Up to 4.250″ steel rods
Head Bolt Pattern: LSX standard | Motor Mounts: OEM & SBC retrofit-ready
Freeze Plugs / Starter / Water Pump: Stock
Why the BMP Aluminum LS Engine Block Stands Out
This isn’t just another LS block—it’s a high-performance weapon. Lightweight, rigid, and engineered for serious horsepower, it’s perfect for boosted monsters, high-revving naturally aspirated screamers, or retro LS swaps into classic rides. If your goal is power, precision, and bulletproof reliability, this block won’t just meet expectations—it will crush them.
Classic engineering. Modern muscle. Builder-approved.
👉 Ready to turn your LS vision into reality? Grab the BMP Aluminum LS Engine Block today at BillMitchellProducts.com












