Before we can bring up the unknown, we should talk about what has been made official or is strongly expected in the upcoming fifth generation small-block V8 engine that will debut next year in both the Corvette C7 and GM’s next line of full-size pickup trucks.
First is that the block is expected to be made from aluminum, while second is that direct injection — what we currently see in engines like the LFX V6 — will also be a sure bet. A “brand new combustion system” is also official for the Gen. V small block, though nobody has any idea what on earth that means, except for the engineering team which have gone mute. The next generation of active fuel management will also make its way into the upcoming engine, as will variable valve timing. Also highly expected, according to LSXTV, is a heightened compression ratio (12.2:1?) and even more advanced and complicated software technology that will govern how the engine operates. It’s also expected that the new small block will have varying displacements, just like the current one with numbers mimicking the current 5.3 and 6.2-liter sizes.
LSXTV also wagers that there’s a 95-percent chance of a raised camshaft tunnel. The website states that this move has its benefits, such as better packaging of the fuel pump, better flexibility with the valvetrain geometry and also larger-diameter cam core. A 93-percent chance is given for the likelihood of a dry-sump oiling system for the Corvette’s small block variant. As for the truck engines, LSXTV gives them a 90-percent chance for eAssist technology.
The odds begin dropping significantly for other elements of the engine. For instance, a concentric camshaft (cam-in-cam) gets a 50-percent chance of existing in at least one of the variants. Such a configurations allows control of both intake and exhaust valves independently. This might have something to do with a “brand new combustion system”, if it turns out to be true. Even lower is the notion of three valves per cylinder, which LSXTV figures has a less than 20 percent chance of existing in the new small blocks. We hope not. As for an active intake manifold, it comes in at less than 10 percent.
These predictions are bold, but remain grounded in terms of expectations. Will they be right? Tell us in the comment section below what your predictions are for GM’s next generation small block engines.
Comments
There’s a system that GM is developing I don’t recall the name of it. Under light loads it runs on compression ignition with the throttle wide open. And when more power is needed it’s spark ignition engine. How about four valves per cylinder like a Duramax.
That’s Homogeneous Charge Compression Ignition (HCCI). Mercedes has a similar system called DiesOtto (signifying the combination of diesel cycle and otto cycle…how original). It’s an interesting idea that with modern technology (variable valve timing, variable compression ratio, etc) should be able to make possible on a wide scale.
Everybody thinks that a 3 valve head is the automatic answer for improved power. That’s just not always the case. Ford added 3 valve heads to the Mod engines to correct valve shrouding issues cased by the Mod’s ridiculously small bore. In an engine like the LS, which as an ample bore, there is plenty of room for a large single intake valve with no shrouding issues. Just because a 3 valve haed made a big improvement in Ford’s sorry Mod engines, you can’t expect simialr gains for the LS.
The Corvette engine will be named LT5.
Hard to believe they will stray from the LS naming scheme
All that’s left is LS5 and LS8. Why not start with LT5. A historic Corvette designation.
The LT5 was also different than the rest of the small blocks in that it was a Lotus-derived 32-valve DOHC V8. It’s a black sheep engine.
>3 valves per cylinder
All of my nope.jpg
when you said black sheep engine you meant that as a good thing right. It was the top engine of the 90s. 1990 ZR1 Corvette could out accelerate anything. 2nd place was a Ferrari Testarosa.
Absolutely. The LT5 was and still is amazing! But to call a pushrod V8 the same name of a hallowed DOHC V8 might not be the best idea. One man’s opinion.
And all of the original LS engines were big blocks. Except the LS9 which was a truck motor. Basically an L 48 with a forged steel crank.
Pushrod sound so negative let’s call it is DOHV engine. Dual Over Head Valve.