The 90 Degree Is Not Dead Yet!

[geoffinbc]

The 3800 is officially dead and the 60 Degree V6 had become the flagship V6 for GM. It was used in everything from FWD family sedans to RWD Sports cars.

The 4.3L was relegated to contractor fleet vehicles like vans and WT 1500 Pickups. But now GM has finally given in a facelift. It was basically the same motor from 1996 and only got a few NVH upgrades and a coil pack ignition instead of a distributor. NOW it is fully based off the GEN V architecture and has all the same features like direct injection, VVT and Cylinder Deactivation. It will shut down just two cylinders to become a V4 when 6 are not needed. It is now all aluminum instead of all iron. Sounds like a V6 monster and should become a popular swap into mini trucks and 4X4's in about 5 to 10 years.

[Superdave]

Sounds like it's going to be pretty sweet!

[robertisaar]

not surprising.... the 4.3 has been powering a LOT of trucks for a very long time... lot of money to be made off of it still.

it's too bad GM didn't try to punch and stroke the 3.6 into the 4.3 range though... maybe give it a more low-RPM friendly intake and cams... or just boost it into the necessary power/torque like what Ford did with the Ecoboost F150.

[caffeine]

There are rumours of a twin turbo 3.6 as well. I'm interested to see how much power that would make.

[robertisaar]

the cadillac flagship(not the XTS, something above it) is SUPPOSED to get the twin-turbo 3.6 engine.... according to rumors from a source on the GMInsiderNews forum.

since Ford has already implimented it, GM playing catch-up wouldn't surprise me.

[geoffinbc]

According to GM they did not want to do the small TT V6 for the trucks. They describe the new engine line as truck engines designed to be used like truck engines. Low end grunt and as much fuel economy as they could get. They are not high strung car engines dropped into a truck. The Eco Boost may have good numbers on paper but it SUCKS for towing. I know two people who have them who now wish they bought the V8. Boost is pretty much a requirement when towing a descent load and with boost goes fuel. Lots of it. They also complain of the high rpm required to make it up the hills.

I think GM is on the right track with the new engines. Its also nice that they all belong to the same engine family and share a bunch of parts. Now if all the truck manufacturers would wake up and sell a 1500 series diesel!

[ericjon262]

I think GM is on the right track with the new engines. Its also nice that they all belong to the same engine family and share a bunch of parts. Now if all the truck manufacturers would wake up and sell a 1500 series diesel!

THIS.

[Kenova]

It would be interesting to see how much the V6 weighs and what transmissions they are using with them.
And yes, a light duty diesel is long overdue.

Ken

[caffeine]

It's supposed to be using the same bellhousing as the new lt1, so in theory there should be a few different transmission options.

[talon2swords]

The 3800 is officially dead and the 60 Degree V6 had become the flagship V6 for GM. It was used in everything from FWD family sedans to RWD Sports cars.

I've got the 4.3l in my 2002 S-10. Great engine, but I've read a lot of negativity from the V8 guys about it, in general. But I'm glad to hear it will live on in upgraded form. It is a survivor.

[Maple Leaf]

Its the last Pushrod/OHV V6 left!