Who Built Your LS3 Dry-Sump Engine?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 84
From: Williamston MI
Who Built Your LS3 Dry-Sump Engine?
You may be interested in knowing that LS3 dry-sump engines are hand built at GM Performance Build Center in Wixom MI. One builder does the complete engine from start to finish. 
Each engine has a builder ID tag on the front surface of the intake manifold (IAFM), on the RH side.
If anyone is interested, we can start a "Who Built Your Dry Sump LS3". thread. There are similar threads for LS7 and LS9 engines. It's been fun for Z06 and ZR1 owners, and for those of us that assemble the engines at Wixom.
Thank you all for your Corvette enthusiasm!!
Each engine has a builder ID tag on the front surface of the intake manifold (IAFM), on the RH side.
If anyone is interested, we can start a "Who Built Your Dry Sump LS3". thread. There are similar threads for LS7 and LS9 engines. It's been fun for Z06 and ZR1 owners, and for those of us that assemble the engines at Wixom.
Thank you all for your Corvette enthusiasm!!
Last edited by eaglei; Nov 3, 2009 at 08:41 PM. Reason: Add Smilies
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 84
From: Williamston MI
Rick Dadd built it!
brian98vette
CF Member
My Corvette Photos
Member Since: Feb 2000
Location: Salem MA Thank you Rick Dadd
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you Rick Dadd for building my engine
Just a note for folks trying to find the plate - it's as described on the RH intake side, but the badge is facing forward towards the front of the car - I spent about 20m looking all over the side.
Excellent thread and always great to hear about how our cars are crafted - thank you OP for all of the information - love to get the inside details.
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x768 and weights 171KB.
Note: This is a paste from related thread. Sorry photo did not show up, perhaps Brian will repost it?
CF Member
My Corvette Photos
Member Since: Feb 2000
Location: Salem MA Thank you Rick Dadd
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Thank you Rick Dadd for building my engine
Just a note for folks trying to find the plate - it's as described on the RH intake side, but the badge is facing forward towards the front of the car - I spent about 20m looking all over the side.
Excellent thread and always great to hear about how our cars are crafted - thank you OP for all of the information - love to get the inside details.
This image has been resized. Click this bar to view the full image. The original image is sized 1024x768 and weights 171KB.
Note: This is a paste from related thread. Sorry photo did not show up, perhaps Brian will repost it?
Last edited by eaglei; Nov 3, 2009 at 08:56 PM. Reason: Note regarding photo
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,578
Likes: 61
From: Austin TX
Bender the robot built mine. I think he did a great job.
I appreciate your incite into the build process. I think there is value there and I'm sure the engines are more consistent like any good blue printed engine would be.
I appreciate your incite into the build process. I think there is value there and I'm sure the engines are more consistent like any good blue printed engine would be.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 84
From: Williamston MI
Mr. Bender
Racer
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 342
Likes: 235
From: Salem MA
Re-Post : Thank You Rick Dadd!
Thank you Rick Dadd for building my engine
Just a note for folks trying to find the plate - it's as described on the RH intake side, but the badge is facing forward towards the front of the car - I spent about 20m looking all over the side.
Excellent thread and always great to hear about how our cars are crafted - thank you OP for all of the information - love to get the inside details.
Here's the general location of the builder tag:
And here's Mr Dadd's tag
Just a note for folks trying to find the plate - it's as described on the RH intake side, but the badge is facing forward towards the front of the car - I spent about 20m looking all over the side.
Excellent thread and always great to hear about how our cars are crafted - thank you OP for all of the information - love to get the inside details.
Here's the general location of the builder tag:
And here's Mr Dadd's tag
Last edited by brian98vette; Nov 4, 2009 at 04:37 PM. Reason: Added Pics
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2008
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From: Austin TX
Pro
Joined: Sep 2007
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From: Miami Florida
That's interesting, I didn't know they were built by a single builder. Any idea how long it takes to completely build an engine?
For the rest of us, how are regular LS3 engines put together? Is it by a team that always works together, or is it just done on an assembly line or something like that? Do machines or robots or something do the assembly?
Actually, it seems it would be easier for GM if an engine was completely assembled by one person.
Just curious.
For the rest of us, how are regular LS3 engines put together? Is it by a team that always works together, or is it just done on an assembly line or something like that? Do machines or robots or something do the assembly?
Actually, it seems it would be easier for GM if an engine was completely assembled by one person.
Just curious.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 3,559
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From: Olathe KS
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,233
Likes: 84
From: Williamston MI
Teamwork at GM
That's interesting, I didn't know they were built by a single builder. Any idea how long it takes to completely build an engine?
For the rest of us, how are regular LS3 engines put together? Is it by a team that always works together, or is it just done on an assembly line or something like that? Do machines or robots or something do the assembly?
Actually, it seems it would be easier for GM if an engine was completely assembled by one person.
Just curious.
For the rest of us, how are regular LS3 engines put together? Is it by a team that always works together, or is it just done on an assembly line or something like that? Do machines or robots or something do the assembly?
Actually, it seems it would be easier for GM if an engine was completely assembled by one person.
Just curious.
I'm sure the team concept is used for regular engine assembly, as it is used pretty much everywhere at GM. Team concept has proven quality benefits and is widely used throughout the auto industry .
Generally a team is composed of maybe 6 - 10 workers, who rotate jobs during their shift. They are likely in one department, for example short block assembly. One person in the team is leader. Workers rotate tasks to avoid injury, reduce monotony, and so no one is stuck all day on a job they don't like. And yes, many jobs are done using robotics or other specialized machinery.
We also use team concept at Wixom, even though each worker does complete engines. We have a team meeting at beginning of shift to cover emerging issues, schedule, etc. And we have team leaders to provide assistance as needed, do quality checks and other tasks. Hope this helps your understanding.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,606
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From: Chandler, AZ
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 973
Likes: 3
From: Mid Michigan
My Z16 GS Corvette Coupe with MN-6 transmission is scheduled for build the week of 12/14/09.
As soon as I get my Corvette home you can bet I will be looking for the "Built By" tag.
Who knows it may have "Donald L. Henley" on it.
Regards,
GS Randy