When it comes to engine family branding, GM has a few different names kicking around. Some of the more notable examples include Duramax, used currently for The General’s diesel engines; Vortec, previously used for its gasoline engines; and, as a more recent example, TurboMax, used for the turbocharged 2.7L I4 L3B gasoline engine. Now, GM is working on a new sixth-generation Small Block V8, which is set to debut with the upcoming next-gen 2027 Chevy Silverado 1500 and 2027 GMC Sierra 1500 pickup trucks. Which leads us to ask – what should the upcoming GM Small Block truck engine be called?
While General Motors has thus far declined to provide any official information, GM Authority has already gleaned quite a bit of intel on the new Gen VI GM Small Block. For example, we expect the new GM Small Block lineup to include at least two new V8 configurations tailored for The General’s light-duty pickups and full-size SUVs. GM may also launch a new plug-in hybrid variant, as well as a performance variant for the C8 Corvette Stingray and a high-displacement variant for GM’s HD pickups.
All are expected to retain traditional Small Block hallmarks such as a pushrod valvetrain, a 90-degree V angle, and atmospheric aspiration, plus enhanced refinement, fuel efficiency, and output.
And yet, the question remains – what name should be given to the next-gen GM Small Block truck engine?
5.3L V8 L84
Our suggestion? Well, how about “LifterMax”? After all, with lifter failure being a known problem with the current Gen V Small Block, we’d love to see the next-gen engine fix the issue. In fact, according to a recent GM Authority poll, most readers (74 percent of poll respondents) felt like the V8 lifter issue was more widespread that it appears, while considerably fewer (26 percent of poll respondents) felt it was a small issue affecting a high volume of vehicles.
Regardless, we want to know – what are your suggestions for branding when it comes to the next-gen GM Small Block? Post in the comments and let us know!
Comments
They should call it reliable hopefully Gen 6 actually lives up to that name
I agree with John on this. This new small block has to be very RELIABLE and produce great numbers that beat the competition. I’m tired of GM sitting back on their hands and not being competitive.
No more AFM/DFM garbage. Go back to the LS motor days of 20+ years ago, and let’s call them LF…….last forever
Hmmm, the LS family had AFM, and is #1 used engine in history.
I recommend if it gets a name, go back to pasting the cubes on the side of the fender. 327/366. Catchy and appropriate.
Do you understand how bad Ford and Dodge really are ? That would literally be punching down . Stop blaming GM . Emissions standards and record shareholder profits are the problem .
Go back to the original V-8 designs (small and big blocks) adding modern electronic fuel injection and ignition. No cylinder drop outs or crazy variables that add too much complexity and too many moving parts. This may sacrifice some MPG’s but the engines would be reliable and last a long time, especially when mated with a modern OD transmission, again though not overly high tech that adds big costs. Keep it simple.
No
I like 4 bolt mains, roller lifters, symmetric valve layout and thicker blocks. (LS series has a heavier block despite being more compact than the first 2 generations, and Gen 4&5 despite the aluminum blocks, are more rigid)
Bring back the flathead V8. Simple and dead nuts reliable. It will sacrifice a little mileage but oil is cheap and global warming is a hoax anyways. If we want to make America great again then we need to go back to the engines from when we were great.
We should also put the lead back in gasoline, don’t believe any of that woke BS about lead, it was all a commie scam to make cars more expensive and boost jap crap sales. Aircraft still use leaded avgas because reliability is absolutely critical.
ICEMax
Blue Flame 8
VortecMax
Make it dependable! Far away the most important. I do not want that extra half a mile-per-gallon, if it means engine problems or metal so thin it dents or rusts thru. I expect a truck to last a dozen years with no major repairs. My first two chevy trucks fit that bill, but my 2013 Silverado 5.3 had lifters fail (135K miles) and rust thru over the rear wheels after 10 years. In my book that is unacceptable.
I also suggest putting the estimated cost of government regulations on the window sticker. Out-of-control bureaucrats have been forcing manufacturers to build vehicles with features customers do not want. Just look up at that useless sticker (I’ve yet to ask a person who knows what it says) on the visible side of the passenger sun visor. One of hundreds of requirements that have added cost and no benefit, or have a tiny benefit with substantial cost. My truck payment should not be more than my house payment.
What about an extra 50% MPG? That’s what you get once you add VVT, AFM and Direct injection. You go from averaging 14 to averaging 20, or from averaging 10 to averaging 16. Also, old school original SBC’s would require rebuilding every 100K anyways. Complaining about occasional issues at 100-150 is spoiled. Right now more than any other vehicle, Chevy and ram trucks (AFM/MDS) hit 200,000 miles than any other vehicle, including the Camry and Accord. So why does your 1 annecdote trump multi millions of data points?
GM has been very tight lipped the last two years since announcing the near billion dollar investment. Expect to see hand me down tech from the LT6/7 gemini motors, i.e. OHC valvetrain for better timing control for fuel economy and emissions without the dod lifter issues. I am betting on a 5.4L DOHC base motor.
0% tech from the LT6, as it’s less advanced than an L83. Doesn’t even have roller folowers. Really only thing advanced about it is the hydraulic lash adjustment, besides that it’s as complicated as an LS7+ direct injection.
The LT6 really is as simple as a Gen 2 ecotech 4 with a flat crank and extra stiff springs to handle 9000rpm without valve float. Only truly advanced feature is the lash adjustment system so it’s a reasonable and reliable daily driver. Besides that it still features a Tappet cam (not roller, not ideal for performance) and simple big bore, short stroke design. We’ve had that since the 50’s. The reason for its existence is that most GT classes limit displacement, and superchargers. so
GM needs a way to make high horsepower with only 5.5L displacement and naturaly aspirated. Their only choice was 9000rpm, and they don’t have a proven way to make a pushrod engine do that and still make 100,000 road miles and have half decent economy. The R07 engine comes close, but runs on race fuel (another NO NO) and isn’t built for 100,000 miles.
KISS…Keep It Simple, Stupid!
Call it anything besides junk. GM spends more money on DEI that they do on engineering. It new engine and parts need to be built in the USA. No more Mexico and Canada products
Junkier
ICE Redemption series!!!
TorqMax or MaxTorq
Piston Slap
Tranielifter.
Liftermax
mouse motor
EcoTec 4. JK, SB6 maybe?
Please drop ecotech. I don’t want to open an engine pay and say, “look at my panties” vortec” was a cool name!
Pushrods Forever
Vortec 2 or Vortec II
Reliance. IF it can be relied upon.
How about a 427 or 7 liter with 500 Hp on LT LTZ and high country! More power quit being weak behind ford and dodge!!!!!
How about you can get that on any trim level truck for a little extra money instead of wrap around infotainment and LED tail lights that cost $1,100 a piece . Kind of like the old Taurus g series with the 5.0 . No need to spend the bucks on the SHO .
PowerMax
GMax, with the GM highlighted in red.
Sounds like intimate underwear.
A name instead of engine code. Ford names its good V8 engines. (Coyote, voodoo, Godzilla.)
GM should do the same. The predator or badger or venom..,Some mean sounding name.
Firepower V8?
Good one
Then to differentiate between GMC and Chevy, GMC can receive the Nailhead V8 from Buick as they share dealerships, and Corvette can use the Blue Flame name from the original and call it the Blue Flame V8 for how those chromed headers will look at 1200 degrees.
Maybe Maxi-Dyne..and give it a 100,000 mile warranty!
That’s the old Mack Truck diesel engine name, probably trademarked or copyrighted.
How about “Stove Bolt”?
Dem good ol’ reliable sixes lasted foreverrrrrrr!
Arrow max engines: new generation small block
You can call it the judgement series . Because if they suck I’m not buying another GM . You can call it the megalodon eagle claw velociraptor for all I care . A name is nothing without performance and reliability .
My 2021 Trail boss with. 5.3 engine had to all the lifters replaced at 12000. I went out one morning to auto start it and the engine sounded like it was blowing up!!They should just guarantee to fix those engines as long as 1st owner has them!
I call bull. Course you can say anything on the internet, but that generation of 5.3 has had no complaints anywhere on reliability. Some transmission issues with toothing pains of the 10 speeds, but this would make you the only person In the world to have issues with that year and middle of engine.
To all you guys who believe that building everything in the US and not importing a few components from other countries like Canada, Mexico, or South Korea is a good thing, then let me give you all a reality check.
1. With American Auto-Unions demanding a constant increase in wages and benefits, for their workers, that will elevate the cost of American Produce cars and trucks. Thus, more expensive vehicles overall.
2. When the price of your average car rises from $30,000 to $50,000, then inflation is going nowhere but up.
3. Also, US-built vehicles will be a lot less competitive in the international marketplace, thus resulting in a reduction of revenue, causing an economic contraction for the industry.
4. To all idiots who think that when a company makes sure everyone in their multiracial workforce is treated equally, and that’s wrong, then you are certainly ignorant for sure.
How about the ” Last Century Same Old, Same Old Max”. I know it would be a big badge to put on the hood where Duramax or TurboMax goes but they can probably make it fit.
Little Boy 8
call it “DFM Delete”
Don’t care what the name is. Just want a reliable engine that doesn’t implode.
Have owned six 6.2 chev Silverados and have NEVER had a problem! My 24 model is good through it’s first 12000 miles! This no. 7! Maby I’m just lucky?
So WTH is with this forum? We got people here saying they’ve owed 4-5 and had issues with every single 1, others who also have owned 4-5 and never had an issue! Somewhere the two can’t be true, but I’m guessing that those complaining are either Ford trolls who I don’t know why their here or just want to complain about a single issue and blow it out of proportion. Only issue I’ve seen with a small block is my farm truck got an intake gasket come loose causing a rough idle. My friends and family who have gone through multiple over the years have had no engine issues, a couple transmission issues every now and then. Overall, I trust GM more than any other brand for reliability.
Promax
Turbo Max 6.6 HD GAS
Well if it’s in line with their recent offerings. I would say Boat Anchor is appropriate.
Tsunami,because it sneaks up on you with out warning and over takes you.
The GM Paperweight sounds fitting.
GM…masters of the Cluster F__k. It takes effort to be GM BAD.
Turbo Fire.. Like the good ol days