Keep The Systems Sealed
One of the great ways to simplify the R&R of the Gen III V-8 is to keep the many "sealed" systems just that - sealed. So, on the power-steering and air-conditioning systems, instead of removing the pumps from the vehicle as suggested in some manuals, the pros have figured out how to unbolt them from the engine assembly and swing them out of the way in the engine compartment.
This removes the hassle and cost of having to purge the air from the power steering system (a major hassle) and recharging the A/C system. Even more of an impetus to avoid disassembling these systems is that many techs believe these systems aren't the same after they have been taken apart in the field.
Pulling a Gen III V-8 from a GM fullsize truck or SUV will probably look familiar to those that have pulled engines from other full-frame vehicles. Even with that traditional nature, there are plenty of sensors, hoses, and other specific tips and tricks shown here that will make the job go easier when it comes time to pull your Gen III.
Installing the Gen III V-8 back in the engine bay requires basically reversing the removal process shown here. Any different details to the reinstallation are discussed during the removal process.
Tricky Clips
If you haven't been around a late-model engine bay for a while, you'll probably notice how different many of the connectors, clips, and clamps are from previous clips, clamps, and connectors you have worked with on engines. That's because the GM development engineers worked very closely with the manufacturing engineers to help create an engine with the ultimate in quality.
That level of quality is achieved by minimizing mistakes in assembly. Eliminating as much variation as possible in the component set and assembly process is the key. A simple way to do this is to design the connectors, clamps, and such so they can only be installed one way and are either "installed" or "not installed." This minimizes the chances of a clip being installed just far enough where it looks completely installed, but falls off once you start driving the vehicle.
What makes it difficult for the enthusiast is that a lot of these connectors, clamps, and so on are not designed to be intuitive to remove. That's where this story and next month's story come in. Here, you're learning from the experiences of everyone else who has destroyed those connectors, clips, and clamps so you don't have to when you do your Gen III V-8 buildup.
Next Month
Look for the rest of the details on removing a Gen III V-8 from you truck or SUV in the next issue of Sport Truck. There will also be an upcoming story on common performance upgrades performed to Gen III truck engines once they've been pulled from their vehicle - since you now know how to remove one from a vehicle!
The Book: How To Build Performance Chevy LS1/LS6 V-8s
If you are interested in the latest small-block engine from GM, the LS1 Gen III V-8, you will want to get the book How to Build Performance Chevy LS1/LS6 V-8s by Will Handzel. Handzel, a former staff member on magazines such as Hot Rod, Circle Track, Rod & Custom, and others, started writing this book more than three years ago, when he was a release engineer working for General Motors. He's now the group manager of marketing at GM Performance Parts. The goal when he started this project was, "to create the definitive shop staple for all those interested in making power with the new Gen III V-8."
We'd say he's done that with features such as the full history on the Gen III V-8 creation, a detailed overview of the engine components, and copious assembly methods to use for performance applications. Powering trucks since '99 and the Corvette since '97, this book shows what an incredible design the Gen III V-8 is and how it responds with plentiful power to performance upgrades -which Handzel shows with multiple engine buildups and bolt-on parts how-tos. There is also a complete chapter dedicated to just the truck versions of the Gen III V-8 and multiple suggestions on how to improve their performance.
With more than 60,000 words and 550 images gathered from inside GM and throughout the industry, this is the definitive book on the Gen III V-8 engine family. To purchase the book for only $18.95, go to www.cartechbooks.com or call (800) 551-4754.