flint to produce the 3.6L

[loki]

meida.gm says the 3.6L for lambda is gearing up.

--------------

FOR RELEASE: 2006-09-22

Flint Engine South Begins Production Of Versatile 2007 GM 3.6L V-6 VVT Engine This Week

FLINT , Mich. – Today, General Motors delivered on its 2004 promise to invest approximately $300 million in its Flint Engine South manufacturing plant, further strengthening a key GM manufacturing center and contributing to the state and local economy.

GM Flint South began production of the 3.6L V-6 with variable valve timing (VVT), which is used in the 2007 Cadillac CTS, SRX and STS; Saturn Outlook; GMC Acadia and slated for the 2008 Buick Enclave.

The 3.6L V-6 VVT is an all-aluminum, dual overhead camshaft engine with variable valve timing. The engine uses full four-cam phasing, rapid data processing and torque-based engine management to optimize power, fuel economy, emissions performance and exceptional smoothness.

“This investment further emphasizes one of the key points of the company’s turnaround plan – to keep raising the bar in the execution of great cars and trucks,” said John Buttermore, GM Powertrain vice president of manufacturing. “These engines provide great performance and value to GM vehicles. I commend the Flint Engine South team and the UAW for their excellent performance and spirit of camaraderie. This team’s hard work and dedication makes this day possible.”

“GM’s investment in the Flint Engine South plant underscores its commitment to Michigan, to the UAW and to the Flint community,” said UAW vice president Cal Rapson. “The new 3.6L V-6 engine being launched today is important to the future of GM and UAW Local 659 members who worked hard to make today’s launch a reality.”

“Through hard work and innovation, Michigan has been the automotive capital of the world for generations,” said Michigan Gov. Jennifer M. Granholm. "GM’s latest investment in Flint will not only positively impact the local community and its citizens, it is also a critical investment in Michigan’s future as the leader of automotive research, design and production. I am thrilled that the state and the City of Flint could help make this plant expansion possible."

Construction at Flint Engine South began at the end of 2004 and added approximately 500,000 square feet to the existing 760,000 square-foot facility for the production of the V-6 engine. The plant, with approximately 600 employees, is represented by UAW Local 659.

The technical highlights of the engine include aluminum engine block and cylinder heads, and dual overhead cams with four valves per cylinder.

"GM has been a longstanding member of the Flint community, and this investment represents the company’s faith in the people of Flint and its renewed commitment to build great vehicles here in Michigan," said Flint Mayor Don Williamson.

“Employees at Flint Engine South strive to help GM make some of the best powertrains in the world. We are very proud to work on this new engine and help GM position itself as a leader in the global automotive industry,” said Steve Finch, plant manager.

GM Flint Engine South also produces the 4.2L I-6 engine, which is used in the Buick Rainier, Chevrolet TrailBlazer, GMC Envoy and Saab 9-7X.

[jrockb4]

What are the specs on this engine?

[loki]

they'll be of the 270hp and 275hp w/ 248 and 251 lbft respectively.... from the " LY7 3.6 L DOHC Dual-VVT, More Power to Ya" post in powertrains

[razoredge]

Thats good news for American workers, but the torque numbers are very bad. I hope they can get this to the second or third stage very quickly to improve some of the power and mileage complaints we are hearing from the "pros". Its seems all hope for a better GM in the midsize segment are hinged on this new engine.

Edited September 23, 2006 by razoredge

[FAPTurbo]

So the Buick will get the same power as the Saturn? Hmm, I was kind of hoping each model would get some powetrain distinction. Saturn would have the engine as is, the GM would've gotten a torque-ier variant, and Buick would get something class leading.

Oh well... the Lambda's wills till be awesome.

[Dsuupr]

So does that mean they plan on cutting back on high value engines?

[Member55]

they'll be of the 270hp and 275hp w/ 248 and 251 lbft respectively.... from the " LY7 3.6 L DOHC Dual-VVT, More Power to Ya" post in powertrains

196623[/snapback]

What did they do to it to increase the HP from 255 to 275?

[Paolino]

So the Buick will get the same power as the Saturn? Hmm, I was kind of hoping each model would get some powetrain distinction. Saturn would have the engine as is, the GM would've gotten a torque-ier variant, and Buick would get something class leading.

Oh well... the Lambda's wills till be awesome.

196852[/snapback]

I'd like the damn LaCrosse CXS 3.6L to get the same power as it's cheaper Aura XR 3.6L and G6 3.6L. I mean, c'mon... 240hp vs. 252hp. And 225lb/ft vs. 251lb/ft.

I mean, that's a nice little boost if you ask me, 12hp and 26lb/ft torque. It'd help the LaCrosse feel a tiny bit more agile in its "sporty" trim.

[NOS2006]

What did they do to it to increase the HP from 255 to 275?

197159[/snapback]

Dual exhaust.. and if not dual, then just less restrictive.

[loki]

Dual exhaust.. and if not dual, then just less restrictive.

197422[/snapback]

was the "older" one just single vvt?... it could be a few refinements in the engine overall, or it could just be the SAE rating is that much off of the old rating

edit: from the LY7.doc in powertrains @ media.gm.com

"The 3.6L V6 VVT HO generates more horsepower thanks to changes in the cylinder heads and induction system, increasing airflow through the engine. The intake ports have been reshaped to increase flow, and a new intake manifold features longer runners that reduce airflow restrictions. Finally, the exhaust cams have been re-profiled to speed the flow of exhaust gas out of the engine at wide-open throttle. Maximum lift does not change, but duration increases to keep the exhaust valves open a fraction longer. Preliminary figures indicate a horsepower increase of nearly six percent compared to the previous most powerful version of the 3.6L V6 VVT. "

Edited September 25, 2006 by loki

[G. David Felt]

Personally while this is a great engine, it would seem based on the Horsepower and Torque that GM is just keeping status quo instead of leading the way with a Class Leading Engine.

Unless they Plan to take this engine to over 300 Horsepower and 300lb Torque for the CTS. That would be class leading. But only a short time as I imagen we will need to go to 350/350 or better.

[avro206]

I just drove a Saturn Arua with the 251 hp 3.6 and 6 speed auto. Pulled pretty hard off the line and kept going. Sounds great too.

[SimonDavid]

I just drove a Saturn Arua with the 251 hp 3.6 and 6 speed auto. Pulled pretty hard off the line and kept going. Sounds great too.

197653[/snapback]

Im not surprised - it pulls well in a heavy Commodore in Australia. Nice sound too.

Though it is a bit revvy - after youve been used to the old 3800 OHV with its stump pulling torque right off the line the new engine is a very different type of performer.

[zabolots]

So this is a different 3.6 than the rumored DI version that will be in the next CTS, correct?

[Aromanances]

Well what about the other cars that need this engine like the Lucerne? Are they only making more for the Lambda's

[Northstar]

Maybe when the GMT360s are gone and they aren't producing the 4.2 (though I'm guessing they'll put it in something, since it's such a good engine) then they can produce more 3.6s. If they have over 1.2 million square feet, I'd think they could produce plenty of 3.6s. Otherwise, they could just produce them wherever they produce the 3.6s for the G6 and Aura.

[Northstar]

I'd like the damn LaCrosse CXS 3.6L to get the same power as it's cheaper Aura XR 3.6L and G6 3.6L.  I mean, c'mon... 240hp vs. 252hp.  And 225lb/ft vs. 251lb/ft.

I mean, that's a nice little boost if you ask me, 12hp and 26lb/ft torque.  It'd help the LaCrosse feel a tiny bit more agile in its "sporty" trim.

197328[/snapback]

It would be nice if the LaCrosse got the dual-VVT (it only has single VVT now), maybe they're just waiting for the next one.

[intrigued]

This article is somewhat unclear, does Flint already produce the old 3.6 that is used in the SRX, CTS, and STS? If not that would seem to indicate that the new, non DI, high output 3.6 is going to supplant the old 255 hp mill currently in the Caddillacs. I hope GM drops production of the old 3.6 (both dual and single VVT variants) and makes the new HO unit standard on everything, ranging from 270-280 hp and 250-260 ftlbs and have the new DI one make 300-320 hp and 275-285 ftlbs. They did this when the replaced the older LX9 v6 with the lz4. Granted they were different blocks but it made no sence tht they had two pushrod engines of the same size in the the same types of applications considering one of them made signifcantly more power. It cost more to have more needless variants and it doesn't make sence when some of them are clearly less competitive.

[ponchoman49]

This article is somewhat unclear, does Flint already produce the old 3.6 that is used in the SRX, CTS, and STS?  If not that would seem to indicate that the new, non DI, high output 3.6 is going to supplant the old 255 hp mill currently in the Caddillacs.  I hope GM drops production of the old 3.6 (both dual and single VVT variants) and makes the new HO unit standard on everything, ranging from 270-280 hp and 250-260 ftlbs and have the new DI one make 300-320 hp and 275-285 ftlbs.  They did this when the replaced the older LX9 v6 with the lz4.  Granted they were different blocks but it made no sence tht they had two pushrod engines of the same size in the the same types of applications considering one of them made signifcantly more power.  It cost more to have more needless variants and it doesn't make sence when some of them are clearly less competitive.

197884[/snapback]

Believe it or not they are still making the old 3500 201 hp engine in the Rendevous. Maybe they had a stockpile of those laying around that needed to be used up but it is the one and only engine in the 07 Rendevous!

Regarding the LaCrosse, I would think that GM is going to introduce the higher output 3.6 in the refreshed 08 LaCrosse if they decide to keep it.