LSX454R Crate Engine to Be Auctioned

As a gift for all those tech heads who like to get their hands dirty, but also as a means to support the American Heart Association, American manufacturer GM announced today it had decided to auction the first production LSX454R crate engine to roll off the assembly lines.

Presented at the beginning of December, the new unit is a monster of an engine, being built to develop 720 horsepower and 720 lb-ft (976 Nm) of torque from its 7.4l and V8 configuration. Purpose built to survive and, if possible, win a drag race or two, the engine comes with several unique extras, like high-compression, solid-roller combination, raised ports on the aluminum cylinder heads or pen-plenum intake manifold.

This wonder of engineering will be sold to the highest bidder on January 21, during the Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale auction. All the proceeds will be donated to the American Heart Association, a preferred recipient of GM's attention for the past several years.

“GM Performance Parts is thrilled with the opportunity to leverage our high-performance engine, the heart of a vehicle, to help prevent heart disease and stroke,” said Jamie Meyer, product integration manager for GM Performance Parts.

“This sale gives the highest bidder the opportunity to buy the first production version of the most powerful small-block V-8 ever engineered by General Motors.”

Aside for the LSX454R, GM will bring to the aforementioned auction several other goodies, including a Lingenfelter custom 1955 Chevrolet pickup truck featuring the 5.3 E-ROD crate engine or the Superformance '63 Grand Sport Vette with the LSA E-ROD crate engine.