SPO—Bulletin GMP09-034—New Product: 2009 LS9 6.2L Supercharged (ZR-1) Crate Engine Available

by Robert Farago

Published: February 18th, 2009

spobulletin gmp09 034new product 2009 ls9 6 2l supercharged zr 1 crate engine

To: Buick, Cadillac, Chevrolet, GMC, HUMMER and Pontiac (including MD)

DESCRIPTION:

GM Performance Parts is pleased to announce the availability of our new 2009 LS9 6.2L supercharged engine. This engine is the latest in the LS Series of crate engines from General Motors. It is the engine from the 2009 ZR-1 Corvette with over 630hp @ 6500 rpm & 600 lb-ft of torque @ 3800 rpm.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

Immediately

ORDER INPUT:

Available to all GM Dealers under normal order processing

GENERAL INFORMATION:

§ GM part number is 19201990.

§ GM Dealer price is $21,000.00, effective February 13, 2009. This price is a revision to that shown on the February 1, 2009, Electronic Price Media supplied to your Data Service Provider. This revised price of $21,000.00 will be properly reflected on the March 1, 2009, Electronic Price Media.

§ Refer to Page 76 of the 2009 GM Performance Parts Catalog for more details on this new crate engine package.

§ Engine output is established by the 2009 production vehicle. Torque and HP numbers may vary based on installation and vehicle packaging.

§ Supported by GM Performance Parts standard crate engine warranty of 24 months / 50,000 miles.

§ Crate engine package includes the engine and detailed requirements – installation instructions.

§ Additionally, a LS9 controller kit and a front accessory drive kit are planned for release later in 2009 to assist in vehicle installation.

§ Engine availability may be limited based on constraints with production.

Robert Farago

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4 of 36 comments

Ronnie Schreiber on Feb 19, 2009
I doubt it. An engine with limited support at that price is unsuitable for a 57 Chevy when there are more durable engines making more power for less money. The LS9 is going to appeal to restomodders. At Barrett-Jackson this year there were older cars with LS7s. Just like the folks who think that any small car can be improved with a Hayabusa engine, there are plenty of folks who put modern engines in old Detroit iron. I'm no engine maven, but 600+HP is no mean feat. Could you build a supercharged V8 with 600 HP? Probably. Would it be as fully engineered, as streetable and as reliable as a LS9 crate motor? I doubt it.

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Maxb49 on Feb 19, 2009
The LS9 is going to appeal to restomodders. At Barrett-Jackson this year there were older cars with LS7s. Just like the folks who think that any small car can be improved with a Hayabusa engine, there are plenty of folks who put modern engines in old Detroit iron. There are several problems with this. The engine in question is $21,000 - closer to $23,000 with taxes included. People who want 600 horsepower will spend less money on a more dependable big block. Dollar for dollar the sticker price on a glorified Escalade engine can't be justified. As for appealing to the restoration crowd, the time for that has long since passed. I’m no engine maven, but 600+HP is no mean feat. Could you build a supercharged V8 with 600 HP? Probably. Would it be as fully engineered, as streetable and as reliable as a LS9 crate motor? I doubt it. Here is an appeal to ignorance. "Fully engineered"? That sounds more like a sales pitch than anything meaningful. Anyone with sufficient experience around a garage, time, and motivation strong engines that are every bit - probably more - reliable as this engine. For less money. Consider a Corvette ZR-1 engine from the last decade. Replacing that engine will run you over $10,000. For what? 425 horsepower? That's a $4,000 small block chevrolet build, possibly less if you know where to look for parts. Problems arise when people don't know what they're doing. They think their cars run, as Dennis Miller once said, "on the screeching souls of the damned." They don't know anything about cars and wind up paying $21k on a Cadillac Escalade V8.

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Niky on Feb 20, 2009

Depends on your purpose. Here, you're getting a 600+ hp engine that's fully emissions-legal (when fitted with the proper exhaust) and comes with a 24-month warranty. It's not hard to build your own high-horse monster, and old iron is popular with rodders because of that silly little inclusion in the law which effectively exempts them from paying for the smog they create, but for those looking for a turnkey solution to more power, this isn't half bad. Oh, and did I mention the warranty? Many crate engines in this power range cost around $5k less, but nobody offers a warranty this long on a crate motor.

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Maxb49 on Feb 22, 2009
, but for those looking for a turnkey solution to more power, this isn’t half bad. Uh, $21,000, not half bad...maybe for someone earning their living in derivatives. Oh, and did I mention the warranty? Many crate engines in this power range cost around $5k less, but nobody offers a warranty this long on a crate motor. Paying $21k on an engine that could be replaced for $6k is an exercise in irrationality. Warranty or not.

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