Photo Of All-New GM Small Block Hits The Internet
26
The mystique of GM’s all-new small block V8 family remains as strong as ever, even though consumers will be driving them next year. But a photo from the Buffalo Business Journal at least gives us a glimpse of what the fifth-generation small block looks like, which will come out of the Tonawanda, NY Powertrain facility.
Considering the launch of GM’s all-new trucks are right around the corner, what we’re gazing it is most likely bound for the engine cradle of either a 2014 Chevrolet Silverado or GMC Sierra 1500 pickup. What’s different? A lot. We know direct injection is coming, but be patient with us as we work on providing you with more detailed information on the photo as to how this new Generation V small block compares to the outgoing Generation IV block.
Google+
As far as I know they’re building it in the St. Catharines Ontario Plant too. (my dad works there). They’ ve got a major retooling and line overhaul starting soon. Something like 8 months. I thought the only V8s built in Tonawanda were the old big blocks 7.4 and later 8.1 L. They’re mostly making ecotecs over there.
IIRC the V8 line at Tonawanda was idled when big block production was ended. I would imagine that the different plants the build the small block (St. Catherines, Romulus, Melbourne, and the PBC in Wixom) will produce different engines for different products (e.g. one plant does truck engines, the others do passenger car engines, and the PBC does the high performance stuff).
From what I know, the St. Catharines plant builds LS engines for everything from trucks (4.8, 5.3) to Camaros and Vettes (6.0, 6.2). They have a website that has a page that tells you all the different engines built in their plant.
http://gmpowertrain.ca/product.html
I don’t know where the other small blocks like the 6.0 and 6.2 truck engines are currently made. Don’t think Austrailia builds engines anymore since they used to ship LS engines from St. Catharines for the GTO.
Of course, I am a big GM fan, but I’d like to point out this is STILL a cam-in-block, pushrod activated OHV engine. And there is nothing more awesome than GM continuing to produce world-class horsepower and fuel economy from a design that reaches so far back in the company’s (and America’s) hot rod history.
Here’s a big “Piss Off” to all the automotive journalists that have filled the public’s minds with “overhead cam superiority” while conveniently forgetting to give good enough reason for their tripe.
Yeah, good ol’ push rod technology. I completely agree with d0nk3ychan. They keep squeezing more and more horsepower out of their push rod engines, I don’t know many other car companies that have a cam in block with VVT and now direct injection. These small block engines are very reliable.
They don’t. GM and Chrysler are the only manufacturers still using OHV gas V8s. DI will probably come to the Hemi soon, but nobody knows for certain.
I am happy that GM has produced better engine with classic technology. I saw a TV show (coincidentally called “Horsepower”) that evaluated and improved on Ford’s EcoBoost V6 engine. That engine is complex! It has dual overhead camshafts with variable timing, and dual turbochargers. I had a Volvo with a turbo and it was nice when it was working as it should, but a stuck boost valve killed my enjoyment, and cost me plenty to have it fixed.
A classic engine has fewer parts to fail, and as such is easier to fix and upgrade. I still have a 1995 Buick Regal with a normal aspirating 231 CI V6,and it it has never giving me problems, except for a bad radiator (plastic tanks!) and one hose change.
Some people prefer advanced technology for their choice of engines, but are not “hands-on” like most of GM fans. Thank you, GM, for keeping classics running for many years!
Back in the days when the LS1 was under development there were rumors that it would be an overhead valve engine with 2 cams. I wonder if the gen V will have 2 cams one for intake one for the exhaust with veritable valve timing.
lol no. A concept engine like that was shown some years ago, but that’s all it ever was.
How many different displacements will be available? Is the 4.3 V6 finally being replace for trucks?
I don’t see why they don’t replace the 4.3 with the 3.6. Of course the larger displacement may have something to do with it?
I think it would be cool to see the 4.3 go to VVT and direct injection, but there would have to be some major block work completed. I used to have an S10 with the 4.3 Vortec, it was a good engine, not the most efficient but made a lot of power for that little truck.
Yikes the old 4.3 is still going? Had no idea. Fwiw buddy with a 2012 Burb gets as many mpg on a long run as I do out of my 3.6 traverse.
Kinda bugs me. Now if the Next gen small V8 gets close to the city mpg as well I will be truly upset.
On the question about the 4.3 cotinue to be offered , the answer is NO, but GM will offer a V6, but it will not be the 3.6 or 3.0. It could be version of the generation V,will have to wait and see..
How do u know that GM won’t offer the 3.6 in the trucks? I’d be surprised if they don’t drop it even into the current gen as an effort to boost last minute sales and get the older trucks off the lot before the new ones come. Especially since Ram is putting their 3.6 Pentastar in the 2013 trucks and Ford already has the 3.7 in the F150.
I highly doubt the 4.3L V6 will carry over to the next-gen trucks, as it is outdated and outclassed by the competion. I believe the only reason it still exists is because it has little to no warranty claims. As for a V6 based off the LS tooling, I remember reading that somewhere that they had looked into that and test engines didn’t deliver competitive numbers. The most likely scenario is that a version of the High Feature V6 (3.6L, possibly larger), tuned for torque and fuel economy, will be the base engine.
Well the 3.6 in the Lambda utes is already tuned for torque. SInce they weigh as much as a half ton pickup (5000lbs) I don’t think they would have to do much to drop it into the trucks. They deliver good performance and economy, I’m surprised they haven’t done it already and drop the 4.8 from production. They’ve saddled the 4.8 with a 4sp. auto that a 6sp 3.6 can easily out accelerate it, and anyone whose doing any towing would have bought the 5.3. Kinda makes the 4.8 a stupid choice.
Doesn’t reveal much. The CNP (Coil Near Plug) remains, but those valve covers…
Something else: how are they gonna do the fuel pump? A mechanical one driven off the cam, or an oversized in-tank electric pump?
So long to the little brother of the 5.7
@ John Madden Bentley still uses overhead valve engine. Will probably used 2 fuel pumps one electric in the tank to get the fuel to the high-pressure mechanical pump driven off the cam. GM doesn’t build V8 engines in Australia anymore all of the V8 engines are built in North America.
Oh right. Forgot about Bentley, but their engine is limited to, like, 4600 RPM or so. What you say about the fuel pumps is probably true, but i wonder if they changed the block to accommodate an HPFP. Are you sure about V8s not being built in Australia anymore?
That website looks out of date still lists the LS2 that engine is not used anymore not even in the performance parts catalog. The 6 L in the caprice and the G-8 is not LS2
The one concept that I remember reading about ( maybe early 2000s) was GM talking about a 48V electrical system that would power a engine with NO camshaft. The valves would be actuated ELECTRICLY! Basically the engine computer would control the opening and closing of the valves with no cam, pushrods or lifters needed. They said the electrical system would need to be beefed up to about 48volts to handle all the additional electrical draw. I guess the major drawback is you would be stepping out on your own as a manufacturer in creating a new Voltage standard. Like back in the 50′s when they went from 6 to 12 V, which we’re still using.
And it does not list the LFX which is produced there. The caprice L77 6 L is made in silao Mexico. the 6 L L96 truck engine is built in St. Catherine’s Ontario Romulus Michigan and silao Mexico.
I like the people who talk about ohv. ALL engines today are ohv, we don’t use flat heads anymore. It’s over head cams and cam in block that are the difference anymore.
Yes, this is how the new small blocks look…I am presently working at GM Truck in Arlington, Texas on the new Stamping plant for Tahoes and Yukons. I am a union electrician.