Despite New Fuel Standards Chevrolet Plans To Keep V8 Around

It’s easy to think General Motors’ iconic small-block V-8 may ride off into the sunset as strict new fuel-economy regulations take hold between 2016 and 2025, forcing auto makers to favor 4-cyl. engines and electric vehicles.

But a GM powertrain executive says the small-block V-8 isn’t going away, as evidenced by the auto maker’s announcement last year to invest $890 million to produce fifth-generation small blocks in North America.


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Brembo - 8/31/2011 12:08:58 PM

+1 Boost

They should!

dumpsty - 9/2/2011 11:22:54 AM

+1 Boost

Agreed. The small block V8s had pretty good fuel ratings. The Corvette gets 18mpg city, 28mpg hwy? I think GM can do a lot more with it to sip a bit less of gas in the future.

chewy - 8/31/2011 2:41:44 PM

+1 Boost

The small block is mostly used in pickups/SUVs and new CAFE law doesn't hit pickups/SUVs as much so they can still use it there.

1BadMan - 8/31/2011 7:01:40 PM

+3 Boost

Ohhhh pushrods!!! Really?

Fijian - 8/31/2011 9:03:31 PM

0 Boost

Pushrods still kick ass like in the Vette and CTS v.You can build more newer stuff like DOHC etc but the reliability and durability of pushrods will keep them in many cars for a long time.

Joe_Limon - 8/31/2011 10:46:52 PM

0 Boost

True, the LS7 can rev higher then many dohc engines.

chewy - 9/1/2011 3:05:41 PM

+1 Boost

Only when you compare to regular non performance DOHC engines.

Joe_Limon - 9/1/2011 3:26:05 PM

0 Boost

What large displacement engines rev higher? i.e. >6.0L

I can only think of the 6.2L found in the SLS AMG, but the extra 2.8% more revs is most likely found in the engine being 11% smaller (displacement)

Or by using more cylinders to minimize combustion time in the cylinder as seen in the large displacement v10's and v12's

chewy - 9/1/2011 7:47:24 PM

+2 Boost

Both factors are at play, large cylinders do rev lower but the pushrods andthemselves are a limiting factor as well.

Joe_Limon - 9/1/2011 8:14:18 PM

+1 Boost

There is a race version of the z06 that revs to 7200rpm, still using pushrods. Not to shabby for 7.0liters