GM’s Upcoming 3.6L Twin-Turbo V6 Previewed In Gen. V Small-Block LT1 V8 Video
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If you’ve never heard of a tilt sled or seen one in action before, you owe it to yourself to watch this video. The testing device is used to replicate the kind of high-G, high-revving conditions that engines like the new fifth-generation small-block V8 will face in the 2014 C7 Corvette. And though every GM engine gets put through the paces on the tilt sled, none of them are taken to the kind of limits that performance mills like the new LT1, or the LS3, LS7 and LS9 before it. This makes watching these purpose-built V8s extra entertaining on the machine, as they quickly pitch and roll to the algorithms that replicate a race track while seemingly screaming for mercy.
However, there’s an Easter egg here. While the beginning of the video shows the new LT1 revving away, the mill seen in the next test, on the tilt sled, is not the LT1. The LT1 does not have two intakes connected to a single air box. Nor does it have a turbocharger, let alone two of them. The dead giveaway that the latter engine is in fact a twin-turbo V6 — more than likely the 3.6L twin-turbo engine destined for at least the 2014 Cadillac CTS — are the aforementioned pair of air inlets that are visible beginning at 1:08 of the video. Here’s the evidence to support this theory.
Before that, we see a technician working on what appears to be a turbocharger’s aluminum housing (according to a thorough analysis by CorvetteOnline.com) coupled with a bead-rolled outlet that keeps the piping together as the boost pressure intensifies. There’s also a vacuum canister for the wastgate seen in the video, along with water and oil lines running to the center section, the heat shield, and an exhaust downpipe.
Lastly, the noise doesn’t sound like any GM V8 engine we’ve ever had the pleasure of listening to, as it’s simply not throaty enough. And while we’re expecting boosted variants of the new 6.2L LT1 V8 in the future, we’re pretty sure this isn’t it; those engines aren’t due for a while, but the twin-turbo 3.6L V6 is expected to debut as soon as next year.
Also of note, at the end of the video, the computer reads “March 2008″ on the bottom left of the screen, which could either mean GM hates keeping track of time, or the footage is a few years old, meaning that the engine has been in the works for a while now. To further amount the evidence that this engine is a twin-turbo V6, the bottom right of the same computer screen clearly reads “3.6L”.
Also something to think about: while this is exciting, we wonder what the output of this boosted V6 will be like compared to the LT1 V8. After all, the preliminary ratings of the LT1 (450 hp and 450 lb.-ft., while returning 26 mpg with the ability to run on 87-octane) seem to make the case of a twin-turbo V6 mighty thin. Unless the LT1 is actually pushing closer to 500 horsepower/torque. Here’s the video for your enjoyment:
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general view in some G8 forums is don’t waste time/money on V6 just trade for the V8 and add from their, after hearing some V6 cars with a sport system they sound crap next to an 8, they just don’t sound right.
but this will only be the best option if the V6 is the biggest engine you can buy.
good catch, your assumtions are correct, these tests are years old and production is soon to be but more than in the CTS.. wait until Jan detroit show.
the 2010 Jay Leno Camaro had a twin turbo v6 pushing V8 horsepower numbers this maybe the standard engine on the new 2015 Camaro V8 horsepower with V6 fuel economy
this could be the new standard engine replacing all current v6 engines it would be nice if the 2014 v6 Camaro had such an engine and if the ss had the new Corvette engine. one can wish right?
I’d bet the 7th gen Camaro gets a 4cyl for the standard/base engine. 2.5T maybe, which puts out ~200hp naturally aspirated in the Malibu, turbo’d you could see a healthy 300 (seeing as how the old 2.0T in the cobalt SS could do 290 with dealer tune) and the new 2.0T is doing ~275hp in the ATS.
The 2.5T will replace the 3.6 DI current offered. 300hp. = LS/LT models
The 3.6TT developing 400hp +/-20. = Z/28
The LT1 6.2 then get’s 470hp (which is my guess for official numbers, not the 450hp est.). = SS
LT1 supercharged 580-600hp. = ZL1
In base form, the 7th gen Camaro stands to loose +400lbs. (ATS is 3300, current Camaro is 3750). Loosing that much weight could open the floor for a 230-250hp engine and still provide an “enjoyable” drive, would be good to be able to pull the base MSRP down for advertising. That new 2.0T could still be in play and used for this application. That engine gets 20/31mpg in the Verano, in a light Camaro with possibly an 8spd auto it could do really well as a base engine.
Yeah it will be interesting to see how this stacks up against the LT1. If the LT1 is making around 450 horse and (let’s call it 24-26 mpg in most vehicles) than that 3.6 liter better be damn good on gas. The twin turbo motor will be bigger, heavier and probably less powerful. I’m predicting 400 horse and 27 mpg in the 2014 CTS with this motor. Otherwise, it wouldn’t really make sense.
first time y look a video whit the engine moving up and down side way…do you no another car company have the same video show the same test..
JD, Impala SS AWD?
thats a mean sounding little V6. i hope that turbo beast isn’t just limited to the CTS. if that shows up in the ATS and Alpha Camaro that would be a HOT combo! high 300hp and twin turbos; just wait till a few tuners start playing with that puppy. i would not be surprised to see 500 hp in a mildly tuned form.
that was easily the best “easter egg” in the video.
its going to debut in the cts, and it will be used in many other applications from GM, but at first only cadillac, the cts, the ats-v may get it, and i heard even the new escalade, and the xts i hear may as well get a detuned version w awd, but as time goes on it will find its way into many other GM cars, and expect output of over 400hp n over 400 ft lb