The GM Tonawanda plant will be the recipient of an $888 million investment from parent General Motors to support the production of the automaker’s upcoming sixth-gen V8 engines, the company has just announced.
Set to be used in full-size trucks and SUVs, the GM Gen Six Small Block V8 engines are expected “to deliver stronger performance than today’s engines while benefitting fuel economy and reducing emissions,” reads GM’s press release, while adding that “new combustion and thermal management innovations are a key factor driving these improvements.”
The investment is for new machinery, equipment, and tools, along with renovations to the facility itself.
The announcement is the largest single investment announced by GM into an engine plant. Prior to this, GM announced a $579 million investment into its Flint Engine plant for producing the Gen Six engines. In this fashion, we’ve come to learn that the sixth-gen GM Small Block engine family will be produced at both the GM Tonawanda plant outside Buffalo, New York as well as at the GM Flint Engine plant in Flint, Michigan.
“Our significant investments in GM’s Tonawanda Propulsion plant show our commitment to strengthening American manufacturing and supporting jobs in the U.S.,” said Mary Barra, Chair and CEO. “GM’s Buffalo plant has been in operation for 87 years and is continuing to innovate the engines we build there to make them more fuel efficient and higher performing, which will help us deliver world-class trucks and SUVs to our customers for years to come.”
Represented by UAW Local 774, the GM Tonawanda plant will continue to produce the current, fifth generation of GM’s V8 engines while the facility prepares for the next generation’s start of production in 2027.
As previously reported by GM Authority, GM’s Gen Six Small Blocks will make their first appearance with the next-gen, 2027 Chevy Silverado and 2027 GMC Sierra, before making their way to the Chevrolet Tahoe and Chevrolet Suburban, along with the GMC Yukon and Yukon XL, plus the Cadillac Escalade and Escalade ESV.
Comments
Will the “Gen 6” engine be an all new clean sheet design, or is it just a slight evolution of the GM small block V-8? Much the way it has been from the LS1 to LS3 to LT1.
Closer to a slight evolution than a clean-sheet design, but still with fairly significant improvements.
I’d lean the other way, as our best estimate is using some tech already previewed in the 2.7, namely offset crank for friction reduction, active thermal management and potentially VVL. As such the block will be noticeably different on the outside and in, the heads will have different water flow. I’d guess this will be a significant revolution in engine construction, with only the combustion chamber and general layout carrying over.
The only way it can be revolutionary is if Gen 6 goes DOHC, like the L3B you mentioned. That would be revolutionary. From what I gather, it will still be a 90 degree V8 with overhead valves but with improvements across the board. That’s not revolutionary, but literally the definition of evolutionary.
Why would that be revolutionary? Others have done DOHC for decades with paltry results. Revolutionary would be new combustion efficiency levels and friction reduction at a base level costs.
Do you think they will add port injection (dual)?
No. 😉
Only In a supercharger version like the LT4. Current LT2 has bested the coyote and costs less to manufacturer than that complex beast. Valve coking hasn’t been an issue on the V8’s since introduction In 2013 nor the V6’s since 2008.
Thank you!!!
Here’s hoping they put some of this money into the crankshaft and connecting rod machine shop!
I think that’s a foregone conclusion.
GM needs to put these engines in their Buicks.
I concur. Buyers should have the option to chose a V8
I agree current Chinese Buick engines are junk!
IN All DIVISIONS
2027 production, for 2028 new gen Silverado.
No 2027 silverado
Per our understanding, it’s the YM 2027, so we will see the new truck next spring, with availability Q2 2026 for your “newer than new 2027”
GM’s past history tells us one thing. GM has never met a self-imposed deadline on anything…. You’re more likely to see it late-fall of 2026……
This is great news! Finally GM is moving in the right direction.
Thank you Sir. We need to get rid of catalytic converters. I learned how to straight pipe my first car a T-1000 from a fellow that that removed a bunch of tubes too. The car ran like a top. Today I straight piped my Tahoe and put 100 LL avgas from the local airport in it.
Why would we want to get rid of cats?
Cause dogs are better
No but really. I prefer to not be stuck behind a car that is spewing stink, even when the windows are rolled up.
Mazdas sky active X and previewed Z engine are both capable of running EPA compliant without cats. I doubt the new V8 will feature such tech, but might…..
Hope so
With this new V8 on the way, they should do away with the V6 all together. It would save money and make a lot folks happy.
Well, we know that’s not going to happen….but it’s nice to dream.
Good thing. The Missues and my ‘09 Rondo has some rust and the AM radio plays static. I think she spilled her Casey’s coffee into the speaker. Hopefully they offer 0% financing for 120 months and $2500 cash back on one of them new engine vehicles.. Get a good buck on our Rondo in trade too. I’ll miss that car. I took the Great grand kids to the Dells in it.
If you don’t mind me asking, what is a “Rondo”?
It is a station wagon of sorts made by Kia, not much for style but very utilitarian and comfortable
I hope GM doesn’t have the cylinder deactivation crap with the new V8 engines that will be out soon.
Heven for bid they screw up the Vette program,maybe the 6.2 was an r&d project gone bad and now they have to fix it, 6.2 least mfg motor gm can afford that mistake
Watch them start putting coolant control valves on the V8s.
Yes. I was thinking the same thing.
Welp I’ve been a GM truck guy all my life but switched to a ford f 150 after trans issues on my 18 Denali and engine failure on my 23 Silverado 6.2. Hopefully they get it together, I really would prefer a GM truck but not about to buy another until they figure out how to make reliable trucks again. Like say figure something out besides cylinder deactivation…oh and machine their internals properly as well. Not gonna hold my breath. In the meantime the new f 150 has actually been great.
Currently, GM has way less recalls and listed issues than Ford. I hope your Ford last a long time, but recent history would not be in your favor.
Recalls indicate an attempt to rectify an acknowledged issue. GM denies the issues are actually real.
Ford’s engines, electronics, etc… do not have a great track record either. It’s the luck of the draw in todays electronic, slap-’em together auto industry. I’m not jumping ship because I’ve never had an engine, trans or drivetrain failure in any of my HD’s since ’07
If I am not mistaken, I think GM and Ford co-developed the 10 speed auto currently used in their 1/2 ton trucks. So I would think they have similar reliability in that area.
Dear Benedickt I mean bill. A truck should not be driven like a tank. It is not designed
for that. Have you made any suggestions how to fix things.?? Hmmm??
Not going to hold your breath ?? AHHHH. Bummer man. Den we will have to put up with your expertize. Right??? Yak Yak Yak attack.
Move the machine shop back to the GM plant instead of outsourcing. Future Duramax engines would benefit from stringent quality control.
“Production of sixth-generation V8 engines is slated to start in 2027 and the massive investment paves the way for new machinery, equipment, and tools.”
Will it have CGI-blocks like the Ford 2,7 and 3 liter l EcoBoost ?
Lower friction, less weight.
This was allocated a couple of years ago, what happened?
Confused me too. This is additional spending. Original bit was almost 1 billion. Now their at almost 2 billion investment. If you go back to the 2023 announcement, it doesn’t mention this amount for Tonawanda.
I think your confused with the announcement that they were developing the V8 rather than actually building the new V8.
I guess Mary’s all-in EV gamble wasn’t smart after all.
Have no fear, the automotive media will still heap their required praise on her to check those boxes…
A new V-8? Great! Can you now build a new Camaro and a new Impala around it?
Camaro for sure but Impala no way, lol. Japan owns the sedan market.
Japan owning the sedan market is inexcusable.
A new V8, should bring the Camaro back. The fans are asking for it GM! build it.
A new engine? How about fixing the ones we have now? Newer isn’t usually better.
Did GM correct the transmission issues on the 10 speeds? and the deactivation on the V8? I am looking to lease or purchase a 26 or 27 1/2 ton.
There is currently no fix for the 10 speed tranie. GM is using a band-aid that forces 5th gear, prior to the lockup. My recall came in Feburary, but I won’t take it in for a band-aid.
Wow, is this literally a last minute deal.. I’m sure plans were to just get a line to run both GEN V and GEN VI because trucks were all “going EV.”. Talk about poor planning on managements behalf. Now the entire plant is going to be scrambling and under the corporate eye, to design and install tons of new machinery.. look for delays on the GEN VI launch dates. 😉
Are they going to use crappy parts made in mexico
I formerly lived in Flint while in school at the GM college. My work sponsor was Chevrolet Engineering in Warren, Michigan. I had class mates sponsored by the Tonawanda plant. Great memories for an old retired man. I spent time working in the MK IV engine design group and met men who were involved in the design of the original 265 V8. I am pleased that the V8 will be kept by GM and I hope it becomes totally American made.
I need to get my new Silverado before the ugly the front ends for 2027.