GM has to make another Big Block

yukon25008.1 · November 17, 2011

some say the big block is dead..but theres way to many of us who want and need a new one, The BBC has been around for what 40+ yrs now easy.. So why stop now. theres has to be a way to do a newer version of the 8.1 or 7.4 that meets newer economy specs.

What do you guys think??

Stevens03 · November 17, 2011

Agreed :thumbs

I'm very curious what GM does with the next gen motors. I think its going to be interesting.

travishale84 · November 18, 2011

i think they need to come up with something that will compete with their main competitor... ford unfortunately their 5.0 would suck up and crap out a 5.3 any day of the week.... and probably smoke a 6.0... i hate to say it, GM needs to up the ante.

I was put in a new 2011 ford Crew Cab with the 5.0. Actually driving the truck not worrying about fuel mileage i was getting 18+ mpg. I live in VT where its nothing but hills. I love my GM trucks, but Liter for Liter, there is no comparison unfortunately....

back on topic, a big block that gets 6.0 fuel mileage would be awesome, 450+ hp, tq. sign me up for that

11Silvy · November 18, 2011

Gm should look into DOHC/4valves/cyl. It's easier to produce big hp with small cubes. They did it in 1990 with the ZR1. Factory pushrod motors will become dinosaurs at some point.

tbhuge · November 18, 2011

They should either put the ZR1 or CTS-V motor in the next generation. A 500-600HP truck would be AWESOME!!! That motor incorporated with and AWD drivetrain would be incredible. This big of horsepower with the right gearing should still get decent gas mileage. I know the corvettes are considerably lighter than a truck obviously, but when you keep your foot out of the gas they get good gas mileage. High horsepower with the right gearing!!!

C/K Man · November 18, 2011

Fact of the matter is that the last year the 8.1L was offered in the Silverado and Sierra the take rate was something like 3%. That is clearly not 'way too many of us'. Many think emissions was the reason why the 8.1L was dropped, but in reality it was because nobody was buying them anymore. Emissions would eventually have been a problem for the 8.1L, any engine with a bore of over 4.00" is hard to control HC and detonation in. When the 6.0L got VVT and the 6L90 transmission, there really wasn't any need for the 8.1L anyway. The 6.0L/6L90 puts more power to the ground than the 8.1L/Allison did, with much better fuel economy. The BBC was one of the all time greats, but it's day is over.

There has been a lot of rumors about a 7.0L DI V-8, but it has not happened yet. Rumor is that the next gen. HD's will use a 6.2L DI of around 425 h.p.. I think that might be more speculation than anything else, but we will see.

An 8.0L version of the Gen. VI BBC (not the 8.1L) is going into production for other OEM's. This engine will primarily be for CNG/LNG applications in commercial trucks and buses.

music · November 18, 2011

The big block is dead, unless someone figures out a way to make gasoline from water How many semis are rolling with a gas motor? I could see a big block CNG motor to replace diesel, but not anytime soon.

C/K Man · November 19, 2011

The BBC doesn't need to come back, but a more powerful gas engine option in the HD pickups would be a good idea.

cracked_up · November 19, 2011

I imagine people want the big block for the torque it can produce for towing and hauling?

I doubt that with the Duramax being more powerful and more efficient then a gas engine they ever resurrect a big block for any reason.

But it will be interesting to see what they do next.

yukon25008.1 · November 19, 2011

All the 6.0 and 6.2 guys keep mentioning mpg,s,mileage mileage mileage....

I bought the big block to pull my 8000lb camper so i dont care what mpg,s it getting while its doing what i bought it for.. Theres no 6.0 or 6.2 out there stock thats gonna make the 465 ft lb,s of torque the 8.1 makes.. Some guys that have heavy loads to ppull dont want a diesel for many different reasons, So they have no choice in the hd,s..

Every manufactorer should offer a small block,big block,and a diesel in there HD lineup..

music · November 19, 2011

Theres no 6.0 or 6.2 out there stock thats gonna make the 465 ft lb,s of torque the 8.1 makes..

Not with fuel injection, but it's going to be close with direct injection (guess on my part, based on what I've read on the method).

MikeNH · November 20, 2011

A GDI V8, even a small one will be a dream come true. GDI engines make lots of power for their size and have incredible throttle response.

pm26 · November 21, 2011

The big block is dead, unless someone figures out a way to make gasoline from water How many semis are rolling with a gas motor? I could see a big block CNG motor to replace diesel, but not anytime soon.

They are still using Ford V10 and GM 496 cu in big block in large motor home chassis to keep the cost down. Also, the marine industry still offers the 496 GM big block.

music · November 21, 2011

The big block is dead, unless someone figures out a way to make gasoline from water How many semis are rolling with a gas motor? I could see a big block CNG motor to replace diesel, but not anytime soon.

They are still using Ford V10 and GM 496 cu in big block in large motor home chassis to keep the cost down. Also, the marine industry still offers the 496 GM big block.

I really meant "new big blocks for light duty high-production vehicles", and I'm really looking (guessing) into the future. I can see them using large displacement gas motors for specialty applications for long time (but I don't really know).

Daryl Z71 · November 21, 2011

i think they need to come up with something that will compete with their main competitor... ford unfortunately their 5.0 would suck up and crap out a 5.3 any day of the week.... and probably smoke a 6.0... i hate to say it, GM needs to up the ante.

I was put in a new 2011 ford Crew Cab with the 5.0. Actually driving the truck not worrying about fuel mileage i was getting 18+ mpg. I live in VT where its nothing but hills. I love my GM trucks, but Liter for Liter, there is no comparison unfortunately....

back on topic, a big block that gets 6.0 fuel mileage would be awesome, 450+ hp, tq. sign me up for that

I don't know about that. Ive driven a new 5.0 F-150, and it had power, but I don't think enough to get a 6.0. The 5.0 wasn't real snappy like the 5.3 is. Now in the long run a 5.0 would more than likely get the 5.3 pretty easy, but I'm not so sure with a 6.0