GM Reveals Small-Block V-8 with Direct Injection - wardsauto.com By Mike Sutton Aug. 29, 2007 MILFORD, MI – Although General Motors Corp. is dividing its resources to cover all fronts of advanced powertrain development, the future of the auto maker’s foundation OHV small-block V-8 architecture appears secure with the advent of direct-injection gasoline (DIG) technology. Among the various exhibits of engineering bravado on display at the auto maker’s proving grounds here, including two-mode hybrid-electric drivetrains, ultra-clean turbodiesels and homogeneous charge compression ignition flex-fuel engines, a seemingly untouched Cadillac Escalade stands out. Emblazoned with giant E85 banners down its flanks, there is little to indicate the industry’s first OHV V-8 with DIG fueling lurks beneath the SUV’s pearl white hood. The experimental engine is based on GM’s current all-aluminum Gen IV 6.2L V-8 (L92) found in the Escalade, GMC Yukon Denali and Hummer H2. Depending on the application, the powerplant, which sports port fuel injection, variable valve timing (VVT) and dual-cam phasing, is rated between 380-403 hp in stock form. However, with a little tweaking to accommodate the auto industry’s latest fuel-injection hardware, the prototype V-8 is producing “well north of 450 hp (on gasoline),” says Dave Sczomak, development engineer-GM Powertrain Advanced Engineering. Running the engine on E85 ethanol allows for even more power to be coaxed from the big V-8, he adds, noting the 85%/15% ethanol/gasoline mix generally carries a race fuel-like 106 octane rating. Cruising the web of test roads onsite, the Escalade motors along smoothly with a characteristic large-displacement V-8 burble. However, mashing the gas from a standstill produces a wave of power that propels the big truck at a noticeably more rapid pace than the production version. Along with the substantial increase in horsepower, DIG also contributes to about a 10% increase in low-end torque, Sczomak says. In addition, fuel economy is moderately improved (3-6%), as are cold-start emissions of hydrocarbons. To accommodate the DIG fueling system, GM redesigned the L92 cylinder heads, rearranging the intake ports to make room for the eight high-pressure injectors that squirt fuel directly into the side of the combustion chamber at 2,250 psi (155 bar). New dished pistons – similar to a diesel’s – were installed for added clearance of the injectors. They also contribute to a greater compression ratio (11.5:1 vs. 10.5:1), which can be employed because of the high-octane composition of E85 and the knock-reducing cooling effect of introducing fuel directly into the cylinder. A modified engine controller manages the engine’s operation, while VVT and Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation contribute to efficiency and refinement. The development sounds like a no-brainer for improving nearly every aspect of the near-60-year-old small block’s performance. However, Tom Stephens, group vice president-GM Powertrain and Quality, notes introducing a production DIG small block would “require the next-generation architecture” of the engine, or Gen V. This primarily is due to the huge volumes of V-8 engines GM produces, Sczomak says, noting a radical change in cylinder-head design, for example, becomes a monumental undertaking when taking into account GM’s annual build of more than 1 million small block V-8s. Fortunately, timing is on the auto maker’s side. The recent introduction of the ’08 Corvette’s 430-hp LS3 V-8, along with the release later this year of the ’08 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid’s 6.0L V-8, represent the last editions of the Gen IV engine family, Stephens says. All subsequent introductions will be of the Gen V architecture and could have DIG fueling integrated from the ground up, especially considering the refinement of the current test engine’s operation. The greater specific output provided by DIG also would allow for greater engine downsizing, thereby improving fuel economy even further. “GM would want to introduce this (DIG) on a high-profile vehicle, such as the new (Chevrolet) Camaro or (rear-wheel-drive) Impala,” Global Insight analyst John Wolkonowicz says, referring to the auto maker’s plans for new volume models based on its global RWD platform developed by GM Holden Ltd. in Australia. The new Camaro, which originally was shown at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, is expected to appear later next year as an ’09 model, with the all-new RWD Impala taking form sometime early in the next decade. Revisions for future generations of the Corvette and Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra pickups are expected in the same timeframe, Wolkonowicz says. By capitalizing on areas of significant improvement that remain untapped in its core engine lineup, while simultaneously amping up the arrival of its new hybrid-electric vehicles, clean diesels and hydrogen fuel cells, GM clearly is betting on an ever-fracturing market for advanced powertrains. As a result, the iconic grumble of the small-block V-8 appears poised to remain a fixture of the automotive landscape for the foreseeable future.
-------------------- 2008 Black/blk C6 Z51 NPP M6 2008 Silver/blk CTS FE2 AWD 304hp Posts: 9560 | From: North East | Registered: Dec 2000
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I'm now hot for gen V. Will this forstall interest in the 08 vette? Great post Thank you
Posts: 2878 | From: Pennsylvania | Registered: Jul 2001
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I anticipate 5 grand discounts and maybe even zero percent financing at the end of the model year..
Could I be wrong about having both being offered at the same TIME? YOU BET!
Could be 24 month or 36 month zero percent and 5 grand off!
We'll see and who knows! I guess we could find out in January at the detroit show (when the announcement of the 2009 engine for the camaro (and maybe Corvette )
Lots of maybes for sure.
-------------------- 2008 Black/blk C6 Z51 NPP M6 2008 Silver/blk CTS FE2 AWD 304hp Posts: 9560 | From: North East | Registered: Dec 2000
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GM will not allow you to use more that $1000 from your GM credit card on a corvette and you can not use "bonus points" you get on the card on a corvette so i doubt they are going to zero % finance. THE CORVETTE IS ONE OF THE FEW CARS GM MAKES MONEY ON
-------------------- corvette owner since 1959,new corvettes owned,59 62,63,64,65,66,97,99,02,05,2008 coupe, race engine builder,former NASCAR tech inspector Posts: 649 | From: pa | Registered: Dec 2000
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Someone needs to send this guy a newspaper ad offering 10 grand off Vettes right now.
Posts: 299 | From: PENSACOLA,FLORIDA | Registered: Nov 2004
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Until the debut of the C-5, GM had been losing money on the Vettes for years. The C-5 was the final straw for GM- if it made a profit, then the Vette waould be spared death. The rest is history.
Posts: 299 | From: PENSACOLA,FLORIDA | Registered: Nov 2004
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quote:Originally posted by J.B.: I foresee huge discounts as soon as the direct injection vette is announced.
I believe that is why we are seeing such great discounts so early in the 2008 model year.
Right now there are 5 grand discounts on even base models on up.
Some 8 grand discounts down here in So. Florida.
-------------------- 2001 Corvette Convertable, Navy Blue Metalic, Grey Interior, White Top, Automatic, Z51, Performance Axle Ratio 3:15, Borla X Pipe, Borla Quad 4" Stingers, K & N, and all the bells and whistles. Posts: 465 | From: South Florida | Registered: Jan 2007
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i notice none of you poster have new corvettes so that tells me you are just wishfull thinking. the $8K/10K discounts i bet are on 2007 corvettes. if GM starts loosing money now on corvettes kiss the brand goodby because GM is not in a position to have any more money loosing cars. i don't think people who normally buy $50K/60K cars are in the bread lines unless they were over their heads in debt. if 2008 corvettes are being discounted $10K your older ones will be worth very little or next to nothing.
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I wish they would "discount" the inventory here. Heck, if they lowered the price of their average 2007 Z06 by $10k that would get it down to $75K.
Note: local dealer still has a 2006 Z06 on their site for $90,495.
quote:Originally posted by Smokensparks: I wish they would "discount" the inventory here. Heck, if they lowered the price of their average 2007 Z06 by $10k that would get it down to $75K.
Note: local dealer still has a 2006 Z06 on their site for $90,495.
Dealer must be in love with that car- he'll never sell it for that price.
Posts: 299 | From: PENSACOLA,FLORIDA | Registered: Nov 2004
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If you don't want to believe there is heavy disounting available...thats ok..
Traditionally as new cars drop in price so does the used car market. I personally have a hard time selling my existing beautiful 485hp 3100lb C5Z06 for 22 grand...
Its too great a car to let go for that kind of money... (dealer trade in is in the mid teens I'd imagine.. FWIW..
the dealers selling the C6 for the kind of money we're discussing just raise the price of the new C6 to offer a higher more acceptable trade in on buyers previous car..
Motorman? Maybe thats what you've found?
quote:Originally posted by motorman: i notice none of you poster have new corvettes so that tells me you are just wishfull thinking. the $8K/10K discounts i bet are on 2007 corvettes. if GM starts loosing money now on corvettes kiss the brand goodby because GM is not in a position to have any more money loosing cars. i don't think people who normally buy $50K/60K cars are in the bread lines unless they were over their heads in debt. if 2008 corvettes are being discounted $10K your older ones will be worth very little or next to nothing.
-------------------- 2008 Black/blk C6 Z51 NPP M6 2008 Silver/blk CTS FE2 AWD 304hp Posts: 9560 | From: North East | Registered: Dec 2000
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my best friend is my dealer and the mrs used to work for the dealership so i buy my cars right but i do not get $10K off on a new one. modified cars are a hard sell. same wth boats. i built 2 supercharged 482 cu in engines for a customers boat and he could not sell it so i told him take off the blowers put back on the stock carb and intake and the boat sold in 2 weeks. people are afraid of modified stuff unless you find the right guy and they a few and far between.
-------------------- corvette owner since 1959,new corvettes owned,59 62,63,64,65,66,97,99,02,05,2008 coupe, race engine builder,former NASCAR tech inspector Posts: 649 | From: pa | Registered: Dec 2000
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