Chevy Tonawanda Stops Big Block Prod

KACCamaro · 12-18-2009, 06:46 AM

A note sent out to GM Tonawanda employees this week...

"This week, GM and the Tonawanda Engine plant will build the last Big Block V8 engine - the end of a remarkable era. We are very proud of the men and women of the Tonawanda Engine plant that have contributed to the history of great cars and trucks powered by this motor. In recent years, many OEM suppliers in the industrial and marine business have also grown to love this product. Although it bears older technology by todays standards, the reliability, ease of maintenance, and the overall quality of this engine have made it a steady performer for many years."

The last "big block" engine will roll off the line, today, Friday, December 18.

rodimus prime · 12-18-2009, 07:25 AM

Thats kind of cool actually. They need to be killed off though...their time has passed. Anyways aftermarket will continue on with them.

PieNsky · 12-18-2009, 08:42 AM

What will it be put into?

Rcamaro · 12-18-2009, 08:59 AM

thats sad :(

UncleBenny · 12-18-2009, 09:13 AM

So no more big blocks in trucks at all?

rodimus prime · 12-18-2009, 09:15 AM

They put big block gasoline engines in trucks still?

PAUL SS · 12-18-2009, 09:36 AM

What about GMPP big block crate engines?

B2E2RUN · 12-18-2009, 12:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodimus prime

They put big block gasoline engines in trucks still?

8.1L in the 3500 and ups...

Ghost Rider · 12-18-2009, 12:26 PM

I know this is a stupid question, but what is the definition of a "big block" as opposed to a "small block"?

ROD1 · 12-18-2009, 01:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost Rider

I know this is a stupid question, but what is the definition of a "big block" as opposed to a "small block"?

I think to get anything over approx. 400C.I., a larger engine block is needed.

Diabel1969 · 12-18-2009, 02:35 PM

the definition is simple. larger dimensions, both internally and externally.

GM had a cubic inch cap with the original "muscle cars" of 400 CI. which is where the 396 came from, and the 389 pontiac. That was lifted in I think 1970 which is where the 454's came into play. They produce more torque just by size, but don't rev high like small blocks by nature, but they can be made to rev just as high or higher than small blocks. There are currently alot of small blocks produced to big block "size", like the 427's, and some 454's. If you took an older 400 small block chevy engine and bored it .030 over, you'd get a 406, and that can be made to run realy strong with the characteristics of both engines, torque, and higher revving horsepower (good engine to build on a budget). hope that helps a little?

*DGthe3* · 12-18-2009, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghost Rider

I know this is a stupid question, but what is the definition of a "big block" as opposed to a "small block"?

It refers to the bore spacing and deck hight of the engine block. On a small block the bore spacing is 4.4" vs 4.84" on a big block. I can't find accurate information on deck hight. But anyway, the larger dimensions of a big block safely allows for a larger displacement.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ROD1

I think to get anything over approx. 400C.I., a larger engine block is needed.

no, the LS7 is equal to 428 cu and is a small block. I believe the upper limit is between 454 and 500 cu for a small block.

ROD1 · 12-18-2009, 05:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DGthe3

no, the LS7 is equal to 428 cu and is a small block. I believe the upper limit is between 454 and 500 cu for a small block.

Strokers I presume.

Morepwr · 12-18-2009, 07:55 PM

Sad to hear. Nothing like a big block!

12-18-2009, 06:46 AM	#1
KACCamaro Drives: 2002 Camaro SS Brickyard PC Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: St. Clair Shores, MI Posts: 12 View My Garage	The End of an Era... A note sent out to GM Tonawanda employees this week... "This week, GM and the Tonawanda Engine plant will build the last Big Block V8 engine - the end of a remarkable era. We are very proud of the men and women of the Tonawanda Engine plant that have contributed to the history of great cars and trucks powered by this motor. In recent years, many OEM suppliers in the industrial and marine business have also grown to love this product. Although it bears older technology by todays standards, the reliability, ease of maintenance, and the overall quality of this engine have made it a steady performer for many years." The last "big block" engine will roll off the line, today, Friday, December 18.

12-18-2009, 09:36 AM	#7
PAUL SS The Mark of Excellence Drives: 2010 ABM 1SS RS LS3 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Smallest State in the Union Posts: 8,688 View My Garage	What about GMPP big block crate engines? __________________ BMR, CAI, DynoMax, Elite Eng., Hurst, Jannetty, Clear Image Headers & Hi Flow cats, Jet Hot, LSR, TSW, VMax, Vredestein

12-18-2009, 12:26 PM	#9
Ghost Rider I'm one bad Mamma Jamma Drives: 2010 Camaro SS/RS Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: NC Posts: 396	I know this is a stupid question, but what is the definition of a "big block" as opposed to a "small block"? __________________ I dare you to challenge my BRUTE! http://ghost-rider-5.mybrute.com DELIVERED on August 25, 2009- 2010 2SS/RS, Yellow, A6, VIN # 34902 DELIVERED on September 9, 2009 -Custom Bumblebee Stripes and engine cover. DELIVERED on September 10, 2009 - Painted GFX

12-18-2009, 07:55 PM	#14
Morepwr woohoo Drives: Silverado, 70cutlass, 57chevy&more Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Socal Posts: 557	Sad to hear. Nothing like a big block! __________________ I am not useless, I can still be used as a bad example!

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12-18-2009, 07:25 AM	#2
rodimus prime Account Suspended Drives: Cargo van. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Metal Metal Land Posts: 1,247	Thats kind of cool actually. They need to be killed off though...their time has passed. Anyways aftermarket will continue on with them.

12-18-2009, 08:42 AM	#3
PieNsky Drives: Victory Red 1LS Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Louisville,KY Posts: 1,928 View My Garage	What will it be put into?

12-18-2009, 08:59 AM	#4
Rcamaro drive hard Drives: 2nd Gen Camaro Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: norcal Posts: 66	thats sad :(

12-18-2009, 09:13 AM	#5
UncleBenny Drives: 2009 G8 GT Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New York Posts: 162	So no more big blocks in trucks at all?

12-18-2009, 09:15 AM	#6
rodimus prime Account Suspended Drives: Cargo van. Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Metal Metal Land Posts: 1,247	They put big block gasoline engines in trucks still?

12-18-2009, 02:35 PM	#11
Diabel1969 Drives: 2010 2SS, A6 Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 268	the definition is simple. larger dimensions, both internally and externally. GM had a cubic inch cap with the original "muscle cars" of 400 CI. which is where the 396 came from, and the 389 pontiac. That was lifted in I think 1970 which is where the 454's came into play. They produce more torque just by size, but don't rev high like small blocks by nature, but they can be made to rev just as high or higher than small blocks. There are currently alot of small blocks produced to big block "size", like the 427's, and some 454's. If you took an older 400 small block chevy engine and bored it .030 over, you'd get a 406, and that can be made to run realy strong with the characteristics of both engines, torque, and higher revving horsepower (good engine to build on a budget). hope that helps a little?