If you’ve ever taken a trip down to your local drag strip, you know that there are a number of impressive LSX-equipped vehicles out there. Knowing that the LS is a popular engine platform, the Houston, Texas-based School of Automotive Machinists (SAM) Racing Team recently built one hell of an LSX V8 for their ’99 Camaro SS, and as you can see from the SAM TV video above, the results on the track are undeniable. Not only did the SAM-built engine launch the Camaro to 8-second quarter miles, it also brought the crew the “All Motor” win in GM’s 2011 LSX Challenge Series. Check out the Camaro’s winning run in the video above.

The engine built by the SAM Racing Team is a 435cui LSX with GM C5R heads ported as a SAM class project. It also features a Comp Cam 60mm solid roller camshaft, a Big Stuff 3 engine management system with an MSD Power Grid, complete Aeromotive fuel system, two Holley Dominator throttle bodies, and a custom intake manifold from Beck Mechanical.

The engine is matted to a Liberty five-speed transmission with an East Wood Dual-Disc clutch.

Power is pushed to the ground via a Moser 9-inch rear end with 5.33 gears, and stabilized with a suspension built with Racecraft, Santhuff Engineering, AFCO and BMR Fabrication components. The Camaro makes use of Bogart R/T wheels with Mickey Thompson rubber and stopping power comes from Aerospace brakes.

After back-to-back wins in the car at the 2010 Holley LS Fest and LSX Shootout, Team SAM Racing readied the car for the 2011 competition series, shaving off 350 pounds from the car as well as equipping it with bigger tires and new cage certified up to a 7.5-second quarter mile from Specialty Metal Craft.

The factory doors were also swapped out for VNF Fiberglass ones and the hood was traded for a taller carbon fiber one.

The GM LSX Challenge Series, a four-race points series for LSX-based cars culminating at the annual LSX Shootout, started in Bradeton, Florida last year and the SAM team represented their engine well. The team set E.T. and MPH records the weekend of March 18^th, throwing down quarter-mile times in the 8.3-second range at 165mph with 60-foot times of consistent 1.19 and 1.20 seconds.

In the third LSX Challenge Series race at the Holley LS Fest, the SAM team reset their own record, running consistently low 8.20s at 164mph. The season came to an end at the LSX Shootout in Indianapolis, Indiana with SAM Racing taking the “All Motor” win with a 8.23-second quarter mile at 164mph.

Congratulations goes out to the SAM Racing Team for their LSX Challenge Series win and record-setting runs. We look forward to seeing SAM compete in the LSX Challenge Series again this year.