2001 Chevy Camaro SS - Snake-Bitten

After pulling some strings
to score one of the first available LS3 short-blocks, Greg Lovell and his shop Anti Venom became one of the first to transplant the newly released Gen IV motor into a fourth-gen. The Seffner, Florida shop is best known for putting together combinations for C5s and C6s capable of annihilating tires and Vipers alike. However, the crew never would have gained that reputation without first having dabbled with the mighty LS1 in Greg's 2001 Camaro SS. The hopped-up F-body had already been converted to an LS6 with CNC-ported and milled heads with a healthy cam, making 448 rear wheel horsepower. However, an issue with the motor had kept the SS sidelined for a couple years. When at last Greg had a 427-cube motor to replace it, the shop was broken into and the motor was taken. Though life had handed them lemons, Anti Venom chose to use this opportunity to play around with the new LS3.

To complete the swap, the Gen IV motor would need to be retrofitted with the SS's electronics. To make the Gen IV mill jive with the stock LS1 computer, the Gen IV reluctor wheel from the stock nodular iron crankshaft was replaced with the LS1 24x unit. While the difference in knock sensor location and lack of wiring harness compatibility from Gen III to IV motors seems to be the greatest stumbling block for the swap, Greg says he has solved the problem by fabricating a threaded adapter piece to angle the LS1 sensors around the headers. Instead of using a stock cam, Greg chose a custom ground cam that he said was in the neighborhood of 230/240-duration and mid .600-inch lift with a 111 LSA. The Anti Venom cam required a smorgasbord of timing set components, including a 2005 LS2 upper gear and LS7 timing chain to match the LS3 lower gear. A set of factory LS3 heads was treated to Patriot Dual Gold valvesprings and Titanium retainers to activate the stock 2.165 intake and 1.59 exhaust valves. Ported heads and a bigger cam are on the horizon for the mostly stock LS3 to put the hypereutectic pistons and powdered metal rods to task.

Thankfully, the Gen IV architecture is so similar to the LS1 that the stock oil pan, windage tray, and a Melling LS1 high-volume oil pump bolted right up. Similarly, a Com Tech 90mm cable throttle body attached to the LS3 intake manifold, which uses a Z06 85mm MAF and Whisper air lid to maintain a high level of airflow throughout the intake tract. LS3 coils plugged right in to the factory harness, however, the LS7 42 lb/hr injectors required an adapter from Casper's Electronics. The Quick Time Performance stainless 1 7⁄8-inch long-tube headers, custom 3-inch Y-pipe, and Corsa catback previously installed required no modification for its new master. A custom tune from Anti Venom and a Walbro 255-lph fuel pump keep the LS3 happy, though its incredible power is what keeps its owner happy.