General Motors (GM) has reached a monumental milestone by producing its 100-millionth small block engine. This iconic engine, which has powered countless vehicles since its inception, will be preserved and displayed as a testament to its enduring legacy.
The small block engine was first introduced in 1955 and has since become a cornerstone of GM's vehicle lineup. Over the past 68 years, this engine has been synonymous with performance and reliability. Ed Cole, the chief engineer behind its development, envisioned an engine that would bring high-performance to the masses. His vision has been realized, as the small block engine continues to thrive nearly seven decades later.
David Cole, Ed's son and the founder and emeritus chairman of the Center for Automotive Research, remarked, "The small block is the engine that brought high-performance to the people. There is an elegant simplicity in its design that made it instantly great when new and enables it to thrive almost seven decades later."
The 100-millionth small block engine is a 638-horsepower LS9, hand-built at GM's Performance Build Center in Wixom, Michigan. This fourth-generation engine is the most powerful ever produced by GM for a regular vehicle, although this particular unit will not be installed in a car. Instead, it will join GM's historical collection, celebrating the engineering triumph that has reached around the globe.
Sam Winegarden, GM's executive director and group global function leader of Executive Engineering, expressed his admiration for the achievement. "This tremendous milestone celebrates an engineering triumph that has reached around the globe and created an industrial icon. The small block's enduring design has proven adaptable to meet performance, emissions, and refinement challenges over the years, delivering them with greater efficiency."
The small block engine has evolved significantly over the years. Modern iterations feature all-aluminum cylinder blocks and heads, reducing weight and improving fuel economy. Advanced technologies like Active Fuel Management, which deactivates cylinders under light load conditions, and camshaft phasing, which optimizes valve timing, further enhance efficiency.
Winegarden noted, "The small-block engine delivers guilt-free performance. It is the quintessential V-8 engine and a living legend that is more relevant than ever."
GM has announced the development of the fifth-generation small block engine, which will feature a new direct-injection combustion system. This innovation promises to significantly improve efficiency compared to previous generations. GM is investing over $1 billion in the production of these new engines, a move that has created or retained 1,711 jobs.
"The small-block architecture has continued to prove its relevance in a fast-evolving industry, and the fifth-generation engine will build on the performance legacy with a significant advance in efficiency," said Winegarden.
GM's production of the 100-millionth small block engine is a testament to the enduring legacy of this iconic powerplant. As the company looks to the future with the development of the fifth-generation engine, the small block continues to be a symbol of performance, innovation, and reliability. With significant investments and advancements in efficiency, GM is poised to maintain its leadership in the automotive industry for years to come.
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