Cadillac Blackwing Motor Video

[John]

Found by Jag, our super sleuth. Thank you jagamajajaran for once again providing us great Corvette ME background information.

For those who have yet learned this, this motor is being assembly within BGA’s Powertrain Build Center — and highly rumored to be, in one version or another, in a second year Z06 ME version.

[jagamajajaran]

You're welcome, John! PBC and NCM Motorsports Park made it into the video.

[John]

Some more pictures of the Blackwing. These come from GM Authority, however we saw better ones from our great MECF Resident Photographer [email protected] DaumPhotography earlier (sorry can’t find them right now).

[John]

A friend of Jeremy and mine who works at BGA, a 40+ year GM employee who never talks about his work, sent us an email the day that the motor debuted at the New York Auto Show, saying “Now you know what I have beeen working on the past two years.”

Oh, and BTW, he is the one that has his name on the motor that was in the ZR1 reveal convertible at LA, with the engine plaque on it saying, “Built By X.”

[SheepDog]

What sige is it?

It looks compact. But there is no size comparison with it. Need to see how it compares next to the LT1. Does anyone have height, with and length numbers for it.

[John]

Searched many sites, but so far I have found no sizing info. Here might be interesting info to some, compliments/thanks to GM Authority.

[John]

What sige is it? It looks compact. But there is no size comparison with it. Need to see how it compares next to the LT1. Does anyone have height, with and length numbers for it.

Here thanks to “Tom73,” are some engine size comparisons.

From Tom 73, says he got these from a hot rod site re engine replacements

GM LS1/LS6
Width: 26 inches wide
Length: 28 inches
Height: 25 inches
Weight: 425 pounds


Ford 4.6L SOHC
Dimensions: 28-5/8 inches wide, 28 inches long, and 26 inches tall
Weight: 600 pounds
Sump Location: Front
Starter Location: Right
NOTE: Width is valve cover to valve cover. Height is to top of valve covers.


Ford 4.6L DOHC
Dimensions: 30 inches wide, 28 inches long, and 29-7/8 inches tall
Weight: 576 pounds
Sump Location: Front
Starter Location: Right
NOTE: Width is valve cover to valve cover. Height is to top of valve covers.

[John]

This is sobering for weight and engine height issues for a SOHC and a DOHC compared to our “old fashtioned” OHV, 16v motors that Corvettes have had for many decades.

Looking at the weight issue alone, there could well now be some who are now less unhappy about the ME starting out with a OHV, LT2 motor.*

Two more negatived things about DOHC motor compared to the OHV motor is that the former has hundreds of more engine components, and consequently cost a heck of a lot more to make than an OHV.

Of course on the other side of the coin, the overhead cam motor is more power efficient.


* Since we first heard about the probability of the first year ME having an LT1+ motor, I have thought of the possibility of my LT1+ being later enhanced by Lingenfelter, Katech, or Callaway.

[ltomn]

Just how much is left in the statement in the video, available exclusively in the Cadillac CT6?

[John]

The statement was made by the prior head of Cadillac six weeks before he was let ago. Second, the CT6’s future is not confirmed beyond this year, and even at max CT6 production, that is only 3,000 engines (maybe 4,000) per year. With the truly massive hundreds of millions of dollars of development costs, even with the Blackwing also expected to go in to the Escala (if indeed that is still occurring as opposed to also being cancelled), the annual production of that car is estimated at another 2,000-3,000 units per year.

Most importantly, in the Dec. 2017 IHS Markit Engine Forecast, it specifically lists the 4.2L, 32V, DOHC motor going into the ME Corvette at an annual rate of 8,000 units per year.

Finally, as GM was partially burned in the ignition switch debacle, and learned to never again use the same part number for different parts, the head of Cadillac could factually, honestly and accurately say, “my 4.2L Motor P/N # 12345678 is exclusive to the Cadillac,” when as little as one of its parts for the Corvette being different — therefore resulting in the Corvette’s 4.2L, 32V, DOHC motor being, differently, P/N # 12345677.

[Shadow]

I had no idea of that amount of the DOHC’s weight increase.

[WoW Factor]

The Ford 4.6 liter 32 valve may have a cast iron block. Where as the Blackwing has an aluminum block with a weight saving of 65 to 100 pounds. Fear not. The Blackwing should not be a heavy engine.

[John]

Thank you WoW Factor.

[Busa Dave]

I hope the Z06 version will have the Ferrari Snarl!!

[JimmyZ06]

Some more pictures of the Blackwing. These come from GM Authority, however we saw better ones from our great MECF Resident Photographer [email protected] DaumPhotography earlier (sorry can’t find them right now).

Very BMW-ish