It's becoming more like a Ferrari with each change. Smaller displacement, 4 valve, DOHC, higher RPM, flat plane crank. AND, will lose races because of it.
2023 Corvette C8 Z06 Revealed
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OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Hopefully this foray into the DOHC V8 space isn't like the last one with the Northstar....
the DOHC ZR1 was a massive success.
the northstar on the other hand is just overhated, GM made a overhead cam V8 after that one as well.
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4WD
$50 site donor 2025
The Blackwing was what ? 4.2L turbo ? Clearly went another direction and likely got away from heat and space issues in the “V” all whilst coming up on displacement …
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
I owned two NS and zero issues …
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
Yes, but GM didn't make the DOHC ZR1, that was manufactured by Mercury Marine.
The Northstar headbolt issue was an engineering fubar (not all that different from the first few years of the Ford/International 6.0L PSD/VT365). It was an engine that had a lot of promise but bad decisions were made and subsequently it developed the reputation it now wears. I was quite stricken by the N* when it was in the Olds Aurora, I thought the car was beautiful and that combination was truly exceptional for the time. I'm not poo-pooing on GM "just because" they've made similar bad decisions (intake gaskets anyone?) that have left a bad taste in the mouths of consumers and unfortunately the Northstar was impacted by that.
The Northstar was the last big "kick at the can" that I can recall GM taking at a DOHC V8, a decision they pulled back from and then everything got an LSx. A decision that has served them well, that family of engines has a fantastic track record.
the blackwing 4.2 was their last attempt before somebody realized the cadillac brand will never ever be taken seriously again and downscaled their operations.
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
That's why I said last "big" kick at the can
The Blackwing engine was only in production for 2 years and production was quite limited. I'm quite interested to see how things go this time around, as I said, I hope it doesn't go the same way as the Northstar in terms of reputation.
I'm not wishing failure on the company here, they've had a phenomenal run with the LSx family and with pushrod mills in general, while they seem to have more in the way of growing/teething pains with overhead cam stuff. The HF V6 is another example, with the early few gens having serious timing chain issues and the like.
They created a piece of art. It cost too much to do things right. That original ZR1 engine was simply incredible in every way. To think they had that as a platform and stopped working on it is a shame.
Personally i like the pushrod GM engines enough to not want this unproven 5.5 liter. Prove me wrong GM, but this is probably going to be a bean counted step on the path to EV only. Who cares if it does not last when your ultimate goal is to sell electric ASAP? It will last through the warranty and then cost $25k for a complete engine.
4WD
$50 site donor 2025
This future twin snail is what I think is going to take some interesting stuff to mange if the turbos wind up in the “V”
It does look like the heads are not crazy wide like Cobra engines …
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/1...-dohc-v8-is-a-future-production-based-engine/
It does look like the heads are not crazy wide like Cobra engines …
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/1...-dohc-v8-is-a-future-production-based-engine/
On the passenger side, at the very bottom of the engine there seems to be what looks like a water pump. Is that correct?
The LT4 and LT5 were both supercharged. Chevy moving back to a naturally aspirated engine for the LT6 is a move backwards IMHO. It’s obvious that the metamorphosis into a Ferrari is almost complete. The DOHC was probably overdue however.
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4WD
$50 site donor 2025
This is just the Z06 … expect the ZR1 to show up boosted …
Even though I've made it clear big cubes are my preference - the kids and here and their "little mills" are pretty cool.
When my friend Alexi showed his dad his compound super & turbo charged big block mill he giggled and mentioned he'd already done all that in WWII.
Its still going to be fun sticking it to the Italians and germans at the small mill game with equal or greater tech.
This is cooler than a regular small block, almost as cool as a wicked NA big block (but nowhere near as cool as a turbo big block)
Its good to be on top.
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