GM V8 production ends in Tonawanda

NYSpeed Automotive
1

“The era of the “big block” V-8 engine came to an end at the General Motors’ Town of Tonawanda plant today.”

http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/898653.html

What was the L-18 used in? I’m not up on my pushrod-powa.

2

L18 Applications:

Chevrolet Silverado/GMC Sierra 2500HD & 3500 (option)
Chevrolet Suburban/GMC Yukon XL (option)
Chevrolet Express 3/4 or 1 ton
Chevrolet Avalanche 2500 (std on GMT800 2500)
T-98 Kombat

3

Vortec 8100 (8.1L V8) was used in Chevy HD and MD trucks. Guys who didn’t want to spend the extra $4500-$5000 for the Duramax could opt for the Big Block Mark V V8 in their 2500HD, 3500HD or 4500+ platforms

4

8.1L of gas sipping economy, if anyone still remembers MikeRi98rtwhateverthefuck…

5

that’s an amazing motor, sorry to see it go.

6

L-18 is actually the Mark IV (semantics, I know…). Believe it or not its development was mirrored that of the LS1’s and is closely related to it. If anyone made performance parts for the L-18 it could make some disgusting PowAr! It was a very low volume motor, but it was a good one and will be missed. I wonder if their going to resurrect that 4.5L diesel V8 that they were supposed to build at Tonawanda…

7

I hear they lost their boat engines too…?

8

:beer:

9

the l-18 was used in trucks until 06 or so. Since then it was mostly used in boats(mercruiser) and in irrigation pumps. I think they put them in Uhaul trucks as well. Little known fact, All GM big blocks were made in tonawanda from the 60’s on. L-88, L-98’s etc were all made in Tonawanda. I worked on that line for 2yrs when I started.
Truly an end of an era.

10

So did Tonawanda turn in its man card when they pulled the last big block off the line?

11

pretty much and l-18 is just 8.1L backwards if anyone noticed

12

What are they building there now? Still the ecotec’s?

13

yup and a couple of colorado engines. Thats it.

14

Richards Machine Tool used too machine the heads for GM a while back. Good thing they dropped that contract

15

Is that the engine that the manifold gaskets blew out on around 40K?

X…

16

No, the L-18 was a very reliable motor. You’re probably thinking of the 2.8/3.1/3.4 series 60 degree V6’s that ate intake gaskets. Those were built at Tonawanda too until they were canceled.

17

Did this plant make the ZZ572 crate engine also?

18

Tonawanda was the only plant to build the big blocks (normal production ones at least). Not sure about some of those special crate motors, those might be hand built in Michigan.

19

Wasn’t tonawanda at one time the largest engine producer in the world? Sad to see another line go away locally.

GM canceled the V8 Northstar replacement that they were supposed to get. Hopefully something else comes a long, this area needs more jobs, not them going away.

20

The L88’s weren’t built on the line though. They, and the ZL1 were hand built in a clean room in plant 1 where medical is currently.