- GM will produce their new V8 engine in St. Catharines, Canada.
- Automaker will invest over a half a billion dollars into the plant.
- New small block family will also be made in Michigan and New York.
General Motors recently introduced their sixth-generation of small block V8 engines on the 2027 Corvette. The all-new 6.7-liter V8 replaces the problematic 6.2-liter and will eventually spread to an assortment of other models including full-size trucks and SUVs.
The company has been preparing for the changeover for awhile as they’ve already announced major investments at Flint Engine Operations in Michigan as well as the Tonawanda Propulsion Plant in Buffalo, New York. They’re adding one more facility to the mix and this time it’s in Canada.
More: The Silverado And Sierra’s Troubled V8 Finally Has A Replacement Coming
$504.9 million ($691 million CAD) is being poured into Ontario’s St. Catharines Propulsion Plant to support production of new V8 engines. They will be used to “power GM’s high-demand full-size trucks and SUVs,” which means the next-generation Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe, and Suburban as well as the Cadillac Escalade, and GMC Sierra and Yukon. Some of the trucks will be built at nearby Oshawa Assembly.
Equipment has already started arriving at the facility, which will continue producing fifth-generation engines for the time being. However, it will eventually transition to the new powerplant in the future.
The automaker is keeping details under wraps, but said the money will be used for “new machinery, equipment, and tooling, as well as significant facility renovations.” GM Canada President Jack Uppal added the investment “confirms St. Catharines will play a key role in one of our core vehicle programs for years to come, and it reflects General Motors’ confidence in the St. Catharines team and their proud 74-year legacy of powering our most popular vehicles.”
Getting back to engines, the truck and SUV mill is expected to follow in the footsteps of the new LS6 that powers the Corvette. In the sports car, it develops 535 hp (399 kW / 542 PS) and 520 lb-ft (704 Nm) of torque.
If the increase in the Stingray is any indication, we could be looking at a gain of around 40 hp (30 kW / 41 PS) and 50 lb-ft (68 Nm). That would bring the trucks and SUVs up to roughly 460 hp (343 kW / 466 PS) and 510 lb-ft (691 Nm). We can also expect a smaller displacement V8 as well as other options.
