SEMA 2013: C&R Racing Makes LSA Swaps Easy for ’69 Camaros

A new C&R Racing water-to-air heat exchanger for GM’s LSA engine will make late-model engine swaps into the 1969 Camaro much easier.

“You have to drill only one hole in the stock core support to install this heat exchanger,” says Paul Hammond of C&R.

The topside bracket of the heat exchanger is secured to the hood-latch bracket while the bottom bracket bolts to the core support using existing holes and the single new drilling. C&R worked closely with Vintage Air to ensure that the heat exchanger and the A/C condenser have no clearance issues.

“We were both competing for the same real estate,” notes Hammond. “The whole key to key to the project was making it work with air conditioning.”

C&R has adapted a factory-style mounting strategy with rubber bushings.

“Aluminum expands and contracts at different rates than the steel mount locations,” explains Hammond. “If it’s a rigid mount, then there’s a possibility it could tear itself apart. It’s our version of what the OE’s are doing.”

The heat exchanger is part of a closed-loop cooling system for the LSA intercooler. The C&R heat exchanger works with both Cadillac and Camaro intercoolers. It comes with standard 3/4-inch hose fittings but C&R offers AN plumbing options.

“The core itself is modeled after the ZR1 Corvette model (supercharged LS9 engine), so we’re shooting for high-horsepower applications,” says Hammond. “It’s all-aluminum construction with 5052 alloy. It’ll shine up nice if the owners wants to polish it, or you can paint or powder-coat it.”

C&R is working on new brackets to expand the vehicle application for the heat exchanger.