Video: Building and Testing COPO No. 69’s Supercharged 327 LSX

In this latest episode of “Faces of GM”, Jim Campbell, Vice President of Chevrolet Performance, heads to the GM Wixom Performance Build Center, in Wixom, Michigan to personally put together the heart that will power the unique number 69 COPO Convertible – the supercharged 327 LSX .  

Chevrolet plans to auction off the convertible COPO at the upcoming Barrett Jackson Scottsdale event on January 19th. All the proceeds from the car will go directly to the American Heart Association, and some lucky guy or gal will get a piece of Chevrolet’s history.   

In the video, Campbell bolts together the 327 LSX from bare block to a rotating long block with the help of all the Performance Build Center’s awesome tools and machines. One of the coolest machines is the head bolt Machine, which tightens all the head bolts down at once. Can you imagine being able to install your cylinder heads in a matter of seconds, with no worry about torque specs?

We were curious why an LS7 intake and exhaust manifolds were bolted up for the "cold test" of the LSX, so we got in touch with Engineering Supervisor, Robert Nichols. He let us know that they use the LS7 gear as essentially "adapters" that will work with their test machinery instead of the supercharger and headers.

One of the most interesting parts of the video is when they have the long-block completed, Campbell bolts on an LS7 intake and exhaust manifolds, and wheels the engine to the cold test cell. We were curious about what goes on during the cold test, and why they use the LS7 parts specifically. So we called up our buddies at Chevrolet Performance, and got in touch with Engineering Supervisor, Robert Nichols. “Basically the LS7 parts act as adapters to hook up to the test machinery,” he tells us. “We regularly hook up to LS7s during our normal production process, and we use those parts on the COPO engines to be able to hook up to our cold test fixtures. We don’t need the supercharger in place for the test.”  

Sensors are hooked up to the LS7 intake and exhaust to measure the airflow in and out of the engine to make sure everything is sealing properly.

During the cold test, an electric motor spins over the LSX and air flow is simulated through the entire engine. The engineers then read the pressure of the air coming in through the throttle body and out the exhaust with transducers, and compare the sensor readings from known-good engines.

“We’re making sure that the long block assembly of the engine is functioning and sealing,” says Nichols. “We have a torque transducer between the engine and the electric motor that can tell exactly how much compression each cylinder is making, and shows us how well the valves and rings are sealing. We test the oil pressure to make sure the oil pump is functioning correctly and to see if the bearing clearances are good. We also use accelerometers on each side of the block to detect the vibrations and make sure there is no excessive valvetrain noise.”  

In the cold test cell they can detect any problems with the long block assembly before the engine is fired. They are able to get readings on the compression of each cylinder, and can even tell if the spark plugs are gapped correctly.

The engineers also check the ignition and timing during a cold test. They even have sensors that we drop over the coil packs that can detect the electromagnetic field over them, and even tell if the spark plug gap is correct. Very, very cool stuff.

The finished product: the "550" horsepower 4L Whipple Supercharged 327 LSx for COPO Camaro #69.

Finally, after the LSX checks out in the cold test they move it to GM Racing side of the shop, where the big 4-liter Whipple supercharger is bolted on, along with all the finishing touches. Campbell is sure to mention that the engine is “rated” at 550 horsepower. However, based on the build specs alone, we think that might be a bit on the conservative side – don’t you?   

About the author

Clifton Klaverweiden

Clifton has been a car fanatic since his late teens, when he started the restoration of his '67 Camaro. He considers himself a student of automotive science and technology, and particularly loves all things LSX. And, although he has an appreciation for everything, from imports to exotics, his true passion will always be for GM musclecars.
Read My Articles

Drag Racing in your Inbox.

Build your own custom newsletter with the content you love from Dragzine, directly to your inbox, absolutely FREE!

Free WordPress Themes
Dragzine NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

We'll send you the most interesting Dragzine articles, news, car features, and videos every week.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Dragzine NEWSLETTER - SIGN UP FREE!

We will safeguard your e-mail and only send content you request.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...


Street Muscle Magazine
Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
Diesel Army
Diesel Army
Engine Labs
Engine Tech

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Subscribe to more FREE Online Magazines!

We think you might like...

  • Streetmuscle Hot Rods & Muscle Cars
  • Diesel Army Diesel Army
  • Engine Labs Engine Tech

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Dragzine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Dragzine - Drag Racing Magazine

Thank you for your subscription.

Thank you for your subscription.

Loading