GM Performance Build Center - Special Feature

The crank and main-bearing installations are next. Hein takes the main bolts out of the block with a handheld power socket wrench.

He then prelubes the crank bearings and lowers the 3.62-inch-stroke crank into the block using a hoist. You may not have known it, but the dry-sump LS3 uses a different crank than the standard version. The GS engine has a longer snout to allow the LS7-style dry-sump system to bolt on.

Hein next installs a crank-rotation tool (the big wheel shown here), which he'll use to spin the crank during piston-assembly installation.

He then applies Lubrizol to the bores and to each piston skirt.

Using a rod guide and a stuffing cup, he installs the pistons into the bores.

The stuffing cup allows each piston to slide in easily, without scratching the bore.