[17CamaroZL1]

When I first started looking to buy a ZL1, I ran across the video posted above and a few others. I also read several articles on the LT4s, their assembly, and the like. From my understanding, all Corvette LT4s are hand assembled by one individual. They used to build them at Tonawanda and Bowling Green for the Z06, but after the CTS-V and Camaro started receiving the LT4, all Vette engines were designated production in Bowling Green, while the Cadillac and Camaro get their's from Tonawanda. The Tonawanda engines are also hand assembled in many stages of the build, but they go down an assembly line where individuals are stationed to perform a certain part of the assembly on every engine. Robots do a few parts here and there as seen in the above video. I really can't see one outperforming the other. It almost makes sense that the Tonawanda process could be a little better with each person doing the same thing over and over all day, as opposed to one individual having to try to perfect every part of the engine assembly, but there are some good engine builders that do it all for from start to finish for race cars, so it can be done.

I would venture to say that all of the machining of the cylinder bores, crank journals, etc., are performed by machines on the Vette engines as well. Never saw that part mentioned for Bowling Green, but I highly doubt men and women are replacing the robots on those parts, as it would be nearly impossible to recreate the consistently tight tolerances needed for these high performance engines in the volume needed. I do think the plaque with the engine builder's signature on the Vette engines is pretty cool!

Maybe Mr. Wyndham can confirm some of this, at least the Tonawanda part, since he's toured the plant.