GM Building a new small block?
 

Based on all of the previous hoopla about going all EVs, GM is not giving up on the small block. Pretty cool, actually:

https://www.roadandtrack.com/news/a4...ock/?source=nl

GM might be pushing hard into electrification, but it's not done with internal combustion yet. Last week, the company announced an $854 million investment into a variety of its plants to build the sixth-generation small-block V-8. It's the first confirmation that GM is working on a new small-block, though the company isn't yet releasing any technical details on the engine.

Of the $854 million, $579 million will go to GM's Flint engine plant, which will build machine blocks, cranks, and heads, and assemble the complete unit; $216 million will go to the Bay City, Michigan, plant, which will build camshafts and connecting rods, and machine blocks and heads; $47 million will go to the Defiance, Ohio, plant, which will make block castings; and finally, $12 million will go to the Rochester, New York, plant, which will build intake manifolds and fuel rails.

The Chevrolet small-block V-8 dates back to 1954, with the current, fifth-generation debuting in 2013. Along with Stellantis's Hemi and Ford's Godzilla truck engine, the small-block is the only surviving overhead-valve V-8 sold in new cars today. (All three manufacturers offer pushrod V-8 crate engines as well.) Currently, you can find small blocks in GM's lineup of full-size trucks and SUVs, plus the Camaro, the Corvette, and the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing.

In its press release announcing the investment, GM made only specific reference to full-size trucks and SUVs. We already know that the CT5-V Blackwing is a one-and-done, with the Cadillac brand headed for full-EV sales, and the current Camaro is likely the last of the breed. We'd imagine the small block will soldier on in some capacity for the Corvette for as long as Chevy is allowed to sell it. The new hybrid E-Ray gives a good look at the Corvette's future—old-school naturally aspirated V-8 assisted by electric power.

We probably won't see the Gen-VI small block for at least a couple of years. We also can't help but wonder if this will be the last of its type.

I think that GM is taking actions needed to meet its stated goal to maintain Chevrolet as the "Internal combustion brand" moving forward.

History is instructive: GM Poured 270 million into Norwood between 1981 and 1982 only to shut it down and demolish the plant between 1987 and 1989. Given that the US Dollar has lost 72% of its value by 2023 -- adjusted for inflation the real value of the Norwood modifications then would be a cool Billion today.

So the investments are pretty modest by comparison to how GM threw money away in the past.

Flint Engine Operations: $579 million to prepare the plant to assemble GM’s sixth generation family of Small Block V-8 gas engines along with the related block, crank and head machining. Work at the facility will begin immediately. Flint will continue building the 3.0L turbo-diesel during the facility renovations. GM’s 3.0L diesel is used in a variety of light-duty truck applications.

Bay City GPS: $216 million to prepare the facility to build camshafts, connecting rods and block/head machining supporting future V-8 production at Flint Engine Operations. The plant builds engine components for Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac vehicles.

Defiance Operations: $55 million total investment. $47 million to prepare the facility to build a variety of block castings to support future V-8 engine programs. $8 million to build a casting development cell for castings to support future EV strategies.

Rochester Operations: $68 million total investment. $12 million will be invested to prepare the facility to build intake manifolds and fuel rails for the future V-8 production at Flint Engine Operations. $56 million for the production of battery pack cooling lines for EV production.