GM designed a new 4.5L diesel engine for it's 1/2 ton pickups. We all know that GM made a 350 gasoline engine into a diesel engine in the early eighties and failed, big time. But what about making a 4.5L diesel engine into a gasoline engine? The 4.5L engine is a 72 degree V8 with the block made of compacted graphite iron(really strong stuff). It is designed as a DOHC engine with reverse flow heads(aluminum) and 16:1 compression, and fits in the same physical box as the current LS series engines.

My thinking is that since they have to have a dedicated line to machine the 4.5L 72 degree blocks, how about using them for a V8 gasoline engine for the C7. Design a new head that reduces the compression ratio and has the normal flow design so that a tvs supercharger could be used between the banks as current, or possibly a twin turbo that would use the reverse flow heads(still redesigned for a gasoline engine) with the turbos between the banks as it is with the diesel engine.

Being that the block is made of high strength CGI, they could run high compression(for efficiency) with some pretty high boost for horsepower out of the small displacement.

Like I said, just thinking. I don't design automobile engines for a living.

 

I was really looking forward to that new 4.5L V8 turbo diesel, but the project was ultimately scrapped, right?
Could've been a nice motor for the light duty full size pick up trucks, SUVs and vans if it ever happened.

I don't know about the potential for a gas version for use in cars though.

 

Shame the engine was killed. It would have been cool under the hood of a G8 or CTS.

 

It is funny that GM. Ford and Chrysler killed their light truck diesel programs at the same time. I would have used one of those power plants in my custom C2. The motors would have had excellent HP, torque and fuel economy. Look at the new BMW M diesel performance line. What a shame!

 

haha that would be pretty cool.