GM invests $1.3b in future V8 engines

THE V8 is far from dead, judging by the fact General Motors has announced a $US918 million ($A1.3b) investment in four US facilities for production of its next-generation eight-cylinder ‘small block’ engines.

The company says these investments will enable it to further strengthen its full-size pick-up truck and SUV business while continuing to support its growing battery electric vehicle (BEV) product portfolio.

GM has invested more than $US37 billion ($A52.1b) in its manufacturing facilities (including Ultium Cells joint venture plants) since 2013.

Underscoring its commitment to providing “jobs that support families and communities across the United States”, the Michigan-based manufacturer said $US854 million ($A1.2b) of the investment will prepare its engine manufacturing facilities for production of the new sixth-generation small block V8 petrol engine, with an additional $US64 million ($90m) to support casting and component production.

Product details, timing, performance, and features relating to GM’s next-generation V8 have not yet been disclosed.

“Today, we are announcing significant investments to strengthen our industry-leading line-up of full-size pick-ups and SUVs by preparing four US facilities to build GM’s sixth generation small block V8 engine,” said GM executive vice president of global manufacturing and sustainability, Gerald Johnson.

“These investments, coupled with the hard work and dedication of our team members in Flint, Bay City, Rochester and Defiance, enable us to build world-class products for our customers and provide job security at these plants for years to come.

“The teams in Rochester and Defiance are also leading our transformation to an all-electric future. Their flexibility to build components for both internal combustion and electric vehicles highlights why our manufacturing team is second to none.”

Details of the announcement include:

• Flint Engine Operation (Michigan) – GM will invest $US579 million ($A839m) to prepare the plant to assemble GM’s sixth-generation family of small block V8 petrol engines along with related block, crank and head machining. Work at the facility will begin immediately. Flint will also continue to produce the 3.0-litre turbo-diesel engine during renovations to its V8 lines.

• Bay City GPS (Ohio) – GM will invest $US216 million ($A306m) to prepare the facility to build camshafts, connecting rods and block/head machining to support future V8 engine production at Flint Engine Operations.

• Defiance Operations (Ohio) – GM will invest $US55 million ($A78m) in the facility, including $US47 million ($A66m) to prepare it for a variety of block castings to support future V8 engine programs. Additionally, the investment includes $US8 million ($11m) to build a casting development cell to support future EV strategies.

• Rochester Operations (New York) – GM will invest a total of $US68 million ($A98m) in the facility, including $US12 million ($A17m) to prepare the facility for production of intake manifolds and fuel rails to support future V8 engine programs. In addition, the investment includes $US56 million ($A80m) to produce battery pack cooling lines for EV production.

The history of General Motors small block V8 engines dates to 1955 with displacements ranging from 4.3 to 5.7 litres. Production of the first-generation V8 continued until 2003. The second generation arrived in 1992 in 4.3- (LT1) and 5.7-litre (LT4) displacements for rear-wheel drive cars.

In 1997, the third-generation V8 arrived with a deep skirt design and evenly spaced intake and exhaust ports. It was replaced by the Gen 4 unit in 2005 which offered cylinder-on-demand technology. That engine saw service until 2020.

GM introduced its fifth-generation V8 in 2014. The unit has been used in SUVs, sportscars, pick-up trucks, and even the last generations of Holden Commodore. It is still used in the Chevrolet Corvette and features direct injection and a repositioned intake valve arrangement.