For release: Thursday, Feb. 12, 2015, 8 a.m. EST
GM Marine’s New ‘Gen V’ Engine Has History on its Side
60-year development legacy yields durability with greater power, efficiency
MIAMI – GM Marine’s new 4.3L V-6 Small Block engine for sterndrive applications
is a lightweight, technologically advanced and efficient performer designed to
deliver excellent performance while using less fuel than many V-6 marine engines.
It is based on the fifth generation of General Motors’ legendary Small Block
architecture, which was introduced 60 years ago and powers through the 21st
century with advanced performance- and efficiency-optimizing technologies,
including variable valve timing and direct fuel injection.
“The Small Block was adapted for marine use soon after it was introduced and we
have worked for decades with marinizers to refine the engine family for the unique
requirements of powerboats,” said Gary Halligan, GM Marine engineering.
“The new Gen V Small Block architecture represents an unprecedented investment
in engine design, which leveraged the depth and breadth of GM’s powertrain
resources to bring to the market one of the most efficient, powerful and
technologically advanced engines in the marine industry.”
The new Gen V 4.3L V-6 shares the same design attributes as the Small Block
engine family found in the latest Chevrolet Silverado, Tahoe and Suburban trucks
and SUVs, as well as the high-performance Corvette Stingray.
“Allowing the marine industry to take advantage of proven automotive technology
is a win for the boating world,” said Patrick Koenigknecht, GM director of Marine
Original Equipment sales. “Direct injection and continuously variable valve timing
technologies are perfect for the marine industry because they result in more power
and better fuel efficiency – and the customer benefits from factory-proven reliability
and durability built on years of tough truck engine design, development and
testing.”
Volvo Penta is a marinizer already working with the new Gen V engine.
“We’ve trusted GM engines for years and want to get the latest technology to the
customer as soon as possible,” said Ron Huiber, president, Volvo Penta. “We
believe this new engine will help transform the boat industry with its great balance
of power and efficiency – and the durability customers have come to rely on for
decades.”
Advanced combustion system drives performance, efficiency
The power and efficiency of the GM Marine Gen V marine engine are due to an
unprecedented level of analysis, including computational fluid dynamics, to make
the most of the combustion system and the direct injection fuel system and variable
valve timing systems that support it. More than 10 million hours of computational
analysis were conducted on the engine program, including 6 million hours (CPU
time) dedicated to the advanced combustion system.
Direct injection is new to the engine architecture – and marine engines – and is a
primary contributor to its greater combustion efficiency by ensuring a more
complete burn of the fuel in the air-fuel mixture. This is achieved by precisely
controlling the mixture motion and fuel injection spray pattern, including pistons
that feature uniquely sculpted topography to precisely direct the fuel spray for a
more complete combustion. Direct injection also keeps the combustion chamber
cooler, which allows for a higher compression ratio – which supports greater power.
Continuously variable valve timing, which GM pioneered for overhead-valve
engines, further enhances performance, efficiency and reduced emissions.
Additional engine features:
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All-aluminum block and oil pan: Lighter than conventional cast iron, the
aluminum cylinder block and heads of the Gen V engine help reduce the
boat’s overall weight, enhancing performance and efficiency. The Gen V block
was developed with math-based tools and provides a light, rigid foundation
for an impressively smooth engine. Its deep-skirt design helps maximize
strength and minimize vibration. Its bulkheads accommodate six-bolt, crossbolted main-bearing caps that limit crank flex and stiffen the engine’s
structure. The block also features nodular iron main bearing caps, which
represent a significant upgrade over more conventional powdered metal
bearing caps. They are stronger and can better absorb vibrations and other
harmonics to help produce smoother, quieter performance.
Advanced oiling system: The oiling system is driven by a new, variabledisplacement oil pump that enables more efficient oil delivery. Its dualpressure control enables operation at a very efficient oil pressure at lower
rpm and delivers higher pressure at higher engine speeds to provide a more
robust lube system for the high-rpm engine operation that’s characteristic of
powerboat operation. Standard oil-spray piston cooling sprays the underside
of each piston and the surrounding cylinder wall with an extra layer of
cooling, durability-enhancing oil. For optimal efficiency, they are used only
when needed the most such as start-up, giving the cylinders extra
lubrication, and at higher engine speeds.
Positive Crankcase Ventilation-integrated rocker covers: One of the
most distinctive features of the Gen V engine is its domed rocker covers,
which house an integrated positive crankcase ventilation system that
enhances oil economy and oil life, while reducing oil consumption and
contributing to low emissions. The rocker covers also hold the direct-mount
ignition coils for the coil-near-plug ignition system. Between the individual
coil packs, the domed sections of the covers contain baffles that separate oil
and air from the crankcase gases.
GM supplies engines to many industrial and marine original equipment
manufacturers. GM’s range of marine engines ranges from a 3.0L 140-hp fourcylinder engine to a 6.2L 550-hp supercharged V-8. GM has been supplying engines
to the marine industry since 1958 and pioneered marine application of electronic
fuel injection since 1991.
General Motors Co. (NYSE:GM, TSX: GMM) and its partners produce vehicles in 30
countries, and the company has leadership positions in the world's largest and fastestgrowing automotive markets. GM, its subsidiaries and joint venture entities sell vehicles
under the Chevrolet, Cadillac, Baojun, Buick, GMC, Holden, Jiefang, Opel, Vauxhall and
Wuling brands. More information on the company and its subsidiaries, including OnStar, a
global leader in vehicle safety, security and information services, can be found at
http://www.gm.com
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CONTACT:
Tom Read
GM Powertain Communications
248-496-0852
tom.read@gm.com