Thread: Transportation bill unlocks new American car industry

Transportation bill unlocks new American car industry

Published December 08, 2015 FoxNews.com

(Factory Five)

Old cars could be the new thing thanks to the passage of the latest federal transportation bill.

The wide-ranging legislation signed by President Obama on December 4th incudes a section that will allow low volume vehicle manufacturers to produce complete replicas of classic cars without needing to meet the same safety standards that major manufacturers do.

There’s already a thriving market for these component or “kit” cars, which today need to be sold without drivetrains, leaving it up to the customer to finish the build. If not, the companies producing them would need to go through tens of millions of dollars’ worth of crash testing, and include a growing list of active safety features which are prohibitively expensive to engineer for a small run of vehicles.

The new regulations, which should be fully in effect by the end of next year, will let companies sell up to 325 vehicles annually, as long as they are properly-licensed, or otherwise legally approved designs based on models that are at least 25 years old. This stipulation, along with the production limit, was included in part to assuage concerns from the major automakers that they might have to compete against countless startups building modern cars that didn’t have to play by the same rules as they do.

To qualify, a company has to have a worldwide output of less than 5,000 cars and can’t be a subsidiary of a larger automaker, so there’s no backdoor for large foreign brands to sell cars under this law in the United States.

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One hitch is that the replicas do have to adhere to current emissions standards. Right now, the only cost-effective way to do that is to use an emissions-certified drivetrain package from a major manufacturer, and the only one available today is the General Motors E-Rod V8. So don’t be surprised to see a lot more GM-powered “Fords” on the road until other engines become available.

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(Superformance)


Nevertheless, many of the existing component car companies are anxious to make the transition and grow their businesses. California’s Superformance, which sells about 150 Shelby Cobra, Ford GT40 and Chevy Corvette kits annually, expects to triple its staff and be building its full allotment of 325 turnkey cars within a couple of years. Meanwhile, Massachusetts-based Factory Five says that having a federally-issued vehicle code will also make it easier to export its American-made hot rods and roadsters overseas.

http://www.foxnews.com/leisure/2015/...tcmp=obnetwork

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19257230
19257234

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Power

430hp @ 5900 rpm

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DIRECT FROM THE CORVETTE AND CAMARO TO YOUR PROJECT VEHICLE


The LS3 6.2L is the 430-hp standard engine in the Chevrolet Corvette and is a fantastic combination of high technology and uncompromising performance. Our LS3 crate engine comes complete, from the Corvette-specific oil pan to the ignition system. It also includes the EFI intake manifold assembly with injectors and throttle body, exhaust manifolds, water pump, balancer, 58X reluctor wheel, and 14-inch automatic-transmission flexplate.

Inside, the LS3 is filled with components designed for high performance and longevity. The aluminum block is filled with a sturdy reciprocating assembly that combines with L92-type rectangular-port heads to deliver a 10.7:1 compression ratio. A high-lift, hydraulic roller camshaft delivers a whopping 0.551-inch of lift on the 2.16-inch intake valves and 0.522-inch lift on the 1.59-inch exhaust valves, enhancing the LS3’s tremendous airflow and broad torque curve.


The Corvette oil pan doesn’t suit all installation applications. Use a vehicle-specific oil pan for original LS-powered vehicles or Chevrolet Performance’s Muscle Car Oil Pan Kit (P/N 19212593) for older versions.


E-ROD LS3 TECH SPECS

Part Number:	19244805
Engine Type:	LS-Series Gen IV Small-Block V-8
Displacement (cu. in.):	376 (6.2L)
Bore x Stroke (in.):	4.065 x 3.622 (103.25 x 92mm)
Block (P/N 12623967):	Cast-aluminum with six-bolt, cross-bolted main caps
Crankshaft (P/N 12597569):	Nodular iron
Connecting Rods (P/N 12607475):	Powdered metal
Pistons (P/N 19207287):	Hypereutectic aluminum
Camshaft Type (P/N 12603844):	Hydraulic roller
Valve Lift (in.):	.551 intake / .522 exhaust
Camshaft Duration (@.050 in.):	204° intake / 211° exhaust

Cylinder Heads (P/N 12629063):	Aluminum L92-style port; "as cast" with 68-cc chambers
Valve Size (in.):	2.165 intake / 1.590 exhaust
Compression Ratio:	10.7:1
Rocker Arms (P/N 12569167 intake):	Investment-cast, roller trunnion
Rocker Arms (P/N 10214664 exhaust):	Investment-cast, roller trunnion
Rocker Arm Ratio:	1.7:1
Recommended Fuel:	92 octane
Maximum Recommended rpm:	6600
Reluctor Wheel:	58X
Balanced:	Internal

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Already own one, but lost some of the paperwork? We’ve got you covered with downloads and links for some of the more important documents below. You’ll find everything from the vital data about your engine’s capabilities to how to install it into your build, even all of the warranty information should you need to make a claim. And don’t forget, the best way we can make sure to get you the latest information on your specific part is to tell us which one you have by registering your engine. No matter what stage of your build you’re in — from shopping for the right part to that part having turned in a few miles — we have the information you need.

http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...e-rod-ls3.html


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FINISH OFF YOUR CRATE ENGINE WITH THESE SELECT PARTS

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E-ROD System — LS3 6.2L • P/N 19257230 40 Tooth •
P/N 19257234 17 Tooth
SuperMatic Torque Converter • P/N 19299802
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Hydra-Matic 4L65-E Four-Speed Automatic
Transmission • P/N 19260380
Corvette Accessory Drive Kit • P/N 19155067
Transmission Controller • P/N 19257634
LS3 Controller Kit • P/N 19258270