Come across this on marketplace and once I saw the valve covers I instantly knew what possibly could be in store. I did pass up on it as I’m just too unsure what it actually could be. It’s never been run from what the owner said, had in his shed for 20+ years, and the block and heads both are stamped mock up. Also has no rods or pistons. Def looks preproduction and pissed I passed up on it. But not going to spend hundreds on a more than likely conversation piece to sit in my garage.

let me know what you think!

 

Composite valve covers are garbage. Just ask any German car owner. But that electric water pump sure is interesting.

 

That was an early design coil in cover setup. It did work according to tests but eventually a bid by a 3rd party single coil per cyl setup eventually was used. The covers/coil you see here is indeed gm-Delphi and was the first rendition of it. I think they were revised to a single coil setup around early 1995? That’s the ones we all know from the production LS1. But it’s odd to find another prototype out in the wild.

 

what if that motor was a secret test race motor that makes major power, how much was it being sold for?

 

He has it at $900 but I can still get it for $600. The block and heads say "MOCK UP" you can see on head too. I'm guessing the block is an early cast and has stuff thrown on it from the prototype days of 1993-1996. Has no rods or pistons he says. I called the old man and just mentioned and instantly he goes "yea, bet it has no crank and it's its just a solid rod from front to back". He said he was told about that stuff back in the 60's and 70's for preproduction motors being used to fit into the new chassis. I would love to still go get it but the funds to just throw $600 in the air for a conversation piece in my packed garage (C4 5.3 twin turbo project is all over the place) is just not happening right now. I would love to get it and rebuild it to the prototype specs but who knows if the block is even good to run.

 

sounds like it truely is a mock up engine, $600 is way steep especially how cheap an LS motor that runs cost, it is definatley interesting though, he should try to sell it to a museum or maybe even a dealership

 

IF (big IF) it's still available after end of the year I will throw $450 his way. If he takes it I'll go over it and tear it down. I'll even do it LIVE. Since it's really a prototype and would be interesting.