SEMA 2010: LSA E-Rod powered Superformance Grand Sport Coupe

[Camo]

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LSA E-Rod powered Superformance Grand Sport Coupe; Click above for high-res image gallery

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General Motors has grown its E-Rod family by two, adding a 505-horsepower 7.0-liter LS7 and a 556-horsepower 6.2-liter LSA to its line of emissions-friendly V8s. The General chose to show off the new forced-induction engine by plopping the mill in a Superformance Grand Sport replica. With a feathery light curb weight of just 2,500 pounds and a potent 551 pound-feet of torque on tap, this machine should be an absolute tarmac terror. Behind that supercharged small block sits a Tremec six-speed manual transmission and a four-wheel disc brake system designed to bring the whole party to a stop in a hurry.

GM says that it is currently working closely with the California Air Resources Board to ensure that the E-Rod LSA can be used in pre-OBD-II vehicles, allowing specially constructed cars like the Superformance Grand Sport to receive CARB certification


Press Release

1963 CORVETTE GRAND SPORT REPLICA FEATURES GM PERFORMANCE PARTS' NEW E-ROD LSA CRATE ENGINE PACKAGE

LAS VEGAS; Under the leadership of the legendary Zora Arkus-Duntov, the Corvette Grand Sports took the racing world by storm in 1963. They gave Cobra drivers fits, with powerful and exotic engines created inside Chevrolet, such as an all-aluminum 377-cubic-inch powerplant. The special engines delivered stunning speed in the lightweight, purpose-built chassis.

Only five Grand Sport race cars were built, but their legacy lives on in countless replicas created in the decades since the originals rolled into the paddock for the last time. The most authentic Grand Sport recreation models; including coupe and roadster versions; are the GM Official Licensed Products examples built by Superformance LLC (www.superformance.com), which offers a variety of GM Performance Parts (GMPP) crate engines in them.

At the 2010 SEMA Show, GM Performance Parts (GMPP) introduced the new E-ROD LSA crate engine package (part number 19257460) in a Superformance Corvette Grand Sport coupe. Packing 556 supercharged horsepower, the E-ROD LSA exemplifies the extreme performance that is available with the E-ROD portfolio.

The E-ROD LSA system will be available after the first quarter of 2011. GMPP is working with the California Air Resources Board (CARB) to secure an Executive Order to allow the E-ROD LSA to be used in pre-OBD-II vehicles (1995 and earlier). GMPP engineers are working with CARB to develop a process to have E-ROD systems, including the E-ROD LSA, approved for specially constructed vehicles; such as the Superformance Grand Sport; in California.

"The Grand Sport Corvette is such an iconic vehicle, that it's great to see Superformance bring back this classic as a kit car," said Dr. Jamie Meyer, product integration manager for GM Performance Parts. "It offers the same styling and raw performance feeling as the original, and when outfitted with an E-ROD engine, the end consumer gets a much more modern ride. The performance of this car is amazing."

Indeed, with a curb weight of about 2,500 pounds, the E-ROD LSA's 556 horsepower gives the car a power-to-weight ratio of only 4.5:1; or, 1 horsepower for every 4.5 pounds of mass. That's better than Ferrari 599 GTO's 5.3:1 ratio.

The E-ROD LSA brings a modern level of driving ease and comfort to the classic Grand Sport design. That's complemented with other amenities including air conditioning, leather upholstery and a smooth-shifting Tremec six-speed manual transmission.

On the outside, the Grand Sport re-creation wears historically inspired Admiral Blue paint and bright white stripes, along with wheels based on the design of the original Grand Sport race cars. Also authentic to the originals is the set of side exhausts, which emit a suitable rumble for this barely tamed street car.

Working with Superformance LLC and Duntov Motor Company, the replica parts have been painstakingly reproduced including the chassis, body parts and all accessories needed to replicate the original Grand Sports theme. With the support of GM Performance Parts and GM Official Licensed Products, the coupe and roadster editions are offered in street and racing versions. Each GS is available as a complete TKM (turn key minus) vehicle, awaiting the customer's choice of engine and transmission.

Vehicle highlights include:
* GMPP E-ROD LSA supercharged 6.2L engine rated at 556 hp and 551 lb-ft of torque
* Tremec six-speed manual transmission
* Custom rear axle housing, with Dana 3.36:1 gears
* Ceramic-coated custom headers and side pipes
* Four-wheel disc brake system, with four-piston calipers at all corners
* Period-correct Grand Sport racing wheels
* Exterior paint in Admiral Blue, with bright white stripes
* GM gauge cluster with 200-mph speedometer
* Leather-appointed seating.

The Grand Sport Replica and its 556-hp supercharged crate engine deliver the hard-driving excitement of the original race cars, with all of the performance-minded, hand-built enthusiasm that created them in the first place.

Zora would be proud.

[Shane Finn]

Oh that is just gorgeous!

  :luv:

[RHD.68.l89]

There is a Grand Sport Roadster in Vic..............
Will probably be at the convention

[RubyZR1]

This car is yours for $85000US! Do a google search and you'll find them for sale in the USA. There's another brand by "Mongoose" which have three for sale now!
Can anybody advise whether you're allowed to import these under the revised Customs Regs?

Capt'n James, is the GS replica here in VIC by Chip Foose?

[gtc]

Can anybody advise whether you're allowed to import these under the revised Customs Regs?

The main point of the revised (or restated) import regulations, as I read them, is that a heavily modified or "converted" car is treated as having been built at the date of those modifications, not its original date. Big problem for hot rods.

"The pre-1989 scheme allows the importation of vehicles into Australia that were manufactured before 1 January 1989. The scheme is outlined under regulation 17 of the Motor Vehicle Standards Regulations 1989."

"However, if a vehicle has been modified or converted after original manufacture - so that the vehicle no longer meets original specifications - the date of manufacture is taken to be the later date of conversion."

"If the date of conversion is 1 January 1989 or later, the vehicle will not qualify under the pre-1989 scheme."

As this is a ground up manufactured replica, I guess it doesn't fail that test, and it's not imported by a dealer here so it ought to be subject to personal import provisions, however it would be subject to current ADRs, etc, so I guess Infrastructure (aka DOTARS) would make a case by case decision upon application to import.

I don't know if it's sold in kit form, but if it is there are special provisions for kit cars.

Road Vehicle Kits including Disassembled or Partly Disassembled Road Vehicles - Import Declaration and VIA is Required

"Importations of road vehicle kits including disassembled or partly disassembled road vehicles are subject to an assessment made by Infrastructure.

If you wish to import a road vehicle kit, you must submit a full application to Infrastructure with all the relevant information.  Infrastructure will assess the application and determine if a VIA is required.  If a VIA is not required for your road vehicle kit, Infrastructure will advise you in writing.

It is important to note that State and Territory registration authorities may not register a reassembled road vehicle or a road vehicle kit for use on public roads without a valid VIA."

[RHD.68.l89]

This car is yours for $85000US! Do a google search and you'll find them for sale in the USA. There's another brand by "Mongoose" which have three for sale now!
Can anybody advise whether you're allowed to import these under the revised Customs Regs?

Capt'n James, is the GS replica here in VIC by Chip Foose?

Now that you remind me, it is!

[RubyZR1]

gtc & James, thankyou for your prompt replies.

Here's the link to Mongoose Motorsport for those who may be interested: http://www.mongoosems.com/GSForsale.php

If you search on Youtube for Corvette Grand Sport replica for sale, there is a short video clip of the Mongoose Motorsport version. It's a nice tribute, but I prefer the GS Replica by Superformance above.

Wouldn't you get some looks driving one of those around the streets?

[Camo]

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