Manoli Katakis 
If you thought General Motors would be giving up on engines, that’s where you’re wrong, kiddo. The company has built itself on the Small Block V8 engine family, and demand for the company’s premium V8 powered vehicles remains hot. Crucially, these vehicles are keeping the company’s lights on, while it continues to dangle EV-shaped carrots on the horizon that always seem to be a few years away. Now, GM is making its commitment to future V8-powered vehicles more official, with a $918 million investment spanning four manufacturing sites in the United States. That number is divided between $854 million for the next-generation GM Small Block V8 (Gen VI), and the other $64 million to support future EV production.
General Motors didn’t provide specific product details, timing, performance figures, or any features related to the next-generation Small Block V8 engine family, but did mention that the investment is meant to fortify its “industry-leading full-size truck and SUV business”. GM’s top executives have previously touched on its next-generation trucks having engines, so this announcement further galvanizes that fact. The next-generation Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra trucks are expected by 2025, pending any delays. Just two years away, which gives us a clue as to when we could first see these next-generation GM Small Block V8 engines in action.
Since 2013, GM has invest more than $37 billion USD in manufacturing facility investment commitments. That number includes the multi-billion-dollar Ultium Cells LLC joint venture plants, a collaboration with LG Chem, for future electric vehicles. In the United States, GM has more than 50 assembly, stamping, propulsion and component plants, and parts distribution centers nationwide.
Here’s how GM will divide up the investment:
Flint Engine Operations, Michigan – $579 million to prepare the plant to assemble the next-generation GM Gen VI Small Block V8 gas engine family, along with the related block, crank and head machining. Work at the facility will begin immediately, according to the automaker.
That said, Flint Engine Operations will continue building the 3.0L Duramax engine during renovations. This stout straight-six diesel is currently found in the Chevrolet Silverado 1500, GMC Sierra 1500, Chevrolet Tahoe, Chevrolet Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, and GMC Yukon.
Bay City GPS, Michigan – $216 million to prepare the facility to build camshafts, connecting rods and block/head machining supporting future Gen VI Small Block V8 production at Flint Engine Operations.
Defiance Operations, Ohio – $55 million, with $47 million toward engine block castings to support future Gen VI Small Block V8 engine programs. In addition, the investment includes $8 million to build a casting development cell for castings to support future GM electric vehicles.
Rochester Operations, New York – $68 million total, with $12 million toward intake manifolds and fuel rails that will go on the next generation Small Block V8 at Flint Engine Operations. The other $56 million will go towards battery pack cooling lines for EV production.
Along with GM’s truck and SUV portfolio, other vehicles that currently utilize the current-generation (Gen V) Small Block V8 engine include the C8 Corvette Stingray and E-Ray, Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing, and Chevrolet Camaro LT1, SS and ZL1.
