# GM V8 production ends in Tonawanda **URL:** \ **Category:** NYSpeed Automotive\ **Created:** [December 18, 2009, 11:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373 "2009-12-18T11:36:35Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Onyx\_Z32](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/onyx_z32/32/7581_2.png) [@Onyx\_Z32](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Onyx_Z32)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:36am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/1 "2009-12-18T11:36:35Z")
_“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](http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/898653.html) What was the L-18 used in? I’m not up on my pushrod-powa. ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:40am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/2 "2009-12-18T11:40:50Z")
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 ---
**Author:** ![system](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/uploads/speedlife/original/2X/b/b7170c8eddc0b95ece6b88172b2f416a08489a45.png) [@system](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/system)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/3 "2009-12-18T11:41:16Z")
> [@Onyx Z32"](#): > > _“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](http://www.buffalonews.com/258/story/898653.html) > > What was the L-18 used in? I’m not up on my pushrod-powa. 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 ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/4 "2009-12-18T11:41:22Z")
8.1L of gas sipping economy, if anyone still remembers MikeRi98rtwhateverthefuck… ---
**Author:** ![TORQDSS](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/torqdss/32/5125_2.png) [@TORQDSS](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TORQDSS)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:42am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/5 "2009-12-18T11:42:35Z")
that’s an amazing motor, sorry to see it go. ---
**Author:** ![blk99z28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@blk99z28](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/blk99z28)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 11:46am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/6 "2009-12-18T11:46:33Z")
> [@J & J](#): > > 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 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… ---
**Author:** ![drvnkd](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/drvnkd/32/109615_2.png) [@drvnkd](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/drvnkd)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 1:37pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/7 "2009-12-18T13:37:36Z")
I hear they lost their boat engines too…? ---
**Author:** ![TrueBlue](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/trueblue/32/7245_2.png) [@TrueBlue](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/TrueBlue)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 1:55pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/8 "2009-12-18T13:55:36Z")
> [@wiki](#): > > 8100 > > The Vortec 8100 (RPO L18) is a V8 truck engine. It is a redesigned Chevrolet Big-Block engine and was introduced with the 2001 full-size pickup trucks. It retains the same bore centers as the old 7.4 L big-blocks, but stroke was upped by 9.4 mm to reach 8.1L (496cuin) for a total of 107.95 mm bore and 111 mm stroke. It is an all-iron engine (block and heads) with two valves per cylinder. Power output ranges from 225 hp (168 kW) to 340 horsepower (250 kW) and torque from 350 lb·ft (475 N·m) to 455 lb·ft (617 N·m). Vortec 8100s are built in Tonawanda, New York. The Vortec 8100 is the engine used in the largest Uhaul, their 26-foot (7.9 m) truck. GM stopped installing big block V-8’s in the Silverado HD trucks, when the GMT-800 series was discontinued in 2007. 8100 marine engines range from 300 to 500 hp and come with a stand-alone ecm. 🍺 ---
**Author:** ![misteroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/misteroman/32/7423_2.png) [@misteroman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/misteroman)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 2:06pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/9 "2009-12-18T14:06:43Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![Fry](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/fry/32/7284_2.png) [@Fry](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Fry)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 3:20pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/10 "2009-12-18T15:20:05Z")
So did Tonawanda turn in its man card when they pulled the last big block off the line? ---
**Author:** ![misteroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/misteroman/32/7423_2.png) [@misteroman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/misteroman)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 5:15pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/11 "2009-12-18T17:15:40Z")
pretty much and l-18 is just 8.1L backwards if anyone noticed ---
**Author:** ![JustinH](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9fc29f/32.png) [@JustinH](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/JustinH)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 5:42pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/12 "2009-12-18T17:42:52Z")
What are they building there now? Still the ecotec’s? ---
**Author:** ![misteroman](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/misteroman/32/7423_2.png) [@misteroman](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/misteroman)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 6:49pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/13 "2009-12-18T18:49:27Z")
yup and a couple of colorado engines. Thats it. ---
**Author:** ![ImportMuscle](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/importmuscle/32/7615_2.png) [@ImportMuscle](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/ImportMuscle)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2009, 8:14pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/14 "2009-12-18T20:14:19Z")
Richards Machine Tool used too machine the heads for GM a while back. Good thing they dropped that contract ---
**Author:** ![Xander](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/xander/32/7597_2.png) [@Xander](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/Xander)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 6:14am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/15 "2009-12-19T06:14:24Z")
Is that the engine that the manifold gaskets blew out on around 40K? X… ---
**Author:** ![mike125k](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mike125k/32/7282_2.png) [@mike125k](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mike125k)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 7:31am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/16 "2009-12-19T07:31:42Z")
> [@Xander](#): > > Is that the engine that the manifold gaskets blew out on around 40K? > > X… 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. ---
**Author:** ![challengermike](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/challengermike/32/5106_2.png) [@challengermike](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/challengermike)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 8:41am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/17 "2009-12-19T08:41:02Z")
Did this plant make the ZZ572 crate engine also? ---
**Author:** ![mike125k](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/mike125k/32/7282_2.png) [@mike125k](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/mike125k)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 8:49am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/18 "2009-12-19T08:49:59Z")
> [@challengermike](#): > > Did this plant make the ZZ572 crate engine also? 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. ---
**Author:** ![BigEd88](https://yyz2.discourse-cdn.com/flex034/user_avatar/forums.speedlife.net/biged88/32/5064_2.png) [@BigEd88](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/BigEd88)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 9:04am UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/19 "2009-12-19T09:04:03Z")
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. ---
**Author:** ![blk99z28](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/f19dbf/32.png) [@blk99z28](https://forums.speedlife.net/u/blk99z28)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2009, 3:45pm UTC](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373/20 "2009-12-19T15:45:57Z")
> [@misteroman$$$](#): > > 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. 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. [Next page](https://forums.speedlife.net/t/gm-v8-production-ends-in-tonawanda/77373.md?page=2)