All the death of the musclecar talk has me thinking about something that pops in my head from time to time: Should GM build a smaller block V8 engine?

We have seen that GM can outperform almost everyone w/ LSx based V8 engines w/ displacement ranging from 4.8-7.0 liters and now a supercharged version putting out mammoth amounts of power. What if GM went back to the drawing board and created a new more compact LSx based block w/ even more tech, something like the XV8.
You could still have great performance and V8 exhaust music we are all used to while reducing consumption and weight. Perhaps it would be a better avenue to explore, or is already being explored.

Even if we just reduced the LS2 to 3/4 dimensions it would make approximately 300 hp/tq in a smaller and lighter package. Add in GDI and a possible supercharger (ala LS9) and 400 hp isn't hard to imagine. In a lighter packaged car (not having to support huge hp and tq numbers it could be just as fast and maybe even better handling.

Opinions wanted.

 

Sounds like a good idea. I'd love to see GM do a concept engine were the goal is to get 350HP while at the same time getting the best mileage possible.

 

The issue was mentioned in that Ward's auto article about the gen-V engine. Remember?
That with DIG, the ability to shrink the engine sizes while still producing similar amounts of power can result in better fuel consumption (not that it's bad in the LSx's as it is.).

I'm all for the idea of smaller V8's. As long as it's a V8...I'm 100% for it!

 

If it's not better, faster, then the old one why would I pay more for the new one?

300HP car for $40,000
435HP vette depreciated to $25000
no brainer.

 

It would seem to me that creating a world-class V6 would be a better use of their development money; at least in the short/mid term.

I love V8s (I also love V10s and V12s) but I don't believe they are going to be available in the future (except in very high dolllar/limited applications).

 

You mean like the 3.6 HF? Which comes in many different forms as of now (FWD=Epsilon cars, Lambda/Theta CUVs, Sigma cars, Zeta cars), and even offers a 300+ hp DI version.

 

I have the same thoughts

https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=565064

Define 'small'.

 

3.5-4.5 L. Maybe something like the old Buick 215 V8 (2.5L), which was later sold to Rover (and became the Rover V8) and used up until about 2000 in high performance applications like TVR. Despite being redesigned and improved over the years the engine dates back to the 50s! Its largest displacement was in TVRs Griffith. A 5.0 L OHV V8 making 340 hp/ 350 tq.

 

Sounds pretty cool to me. I envision three different block sizes. One built to accommodate 2.0-3.0 liters, one for 3.0-4.5, and one for 4.5+ (LSx). The smallest one would take the place of the four-cylinder engines in GM's lineup, and the medium-sized one would take the place of the six-cylinder engines.

The only downsides I see to this are:
1. a few more moving parts in the smaller engines
2. past development, tooling, etc for non-V8 engines wasted

GM could sell rights and tooling for the Ecotec and the 3.6 to make up for the losses.

Then, the upsides:
1. Awesome exhaust notes for all GM cars
2. Powertrain development can focus on improving a single layout, and simply replicate that layout in three scales.
3. New developments can easily be applied to all three scales.

 

Bring back the 283hp/283cid!

 

I think the development costs of engineering a smaller small block should be put 100% into reducing weight and transmission technology . You could even scale back on current power levels to have a car that is possibly qwicker , more fuel efficient , and funner to drive .

 

I don't think there's an efficiency payoff in a tiny V8. More rotating mass, more scrubbed area/displacement (meaning more friction and less thermal efficiency)- I don't see it.

I'm thinking the V6s need to shrink- a 250hp 2.8l DI engine designed to be a max or 2.8l ought to be pretty compact. Stick it in a midsize that they've gotten down to 3300 lbs or slightly under, and you've got a car that's faster than the current 304hp CTS. And, quite a bit more efficient, I'd imagine.

 

I am suprised there aren't many flames in this thread, must be because I cited my opinion on smaller displacement V8s before the scare of the new CAFE rules.

 

What good is a smaller block V8 gonna do?

Isn't the LSX light and fuel efficient enough for you?

Do you think a 4.8L V8 is going to be more economical than a 6L? I'd reckon, more often that not, NO!

 

I don't want the muscle cars to die