Internal GM Document Reveals a new DOHC Engine Called “LT5” for the “Y” Platform
The 1990 – 1995 Corvette ZR-1 was the first Corvette to come from General Motors with an all aluminum “exotic” double overhead cam engine (LT5) that was designed by GM Powertrain and Lotus Cars of Hethel, England (owned by GM at the time) and manufactured in a clean room environment at Mercury Marine in Stillwater, Oklahoma (GM owned at the time).
We’ve all seen the spy photos of the upcoming 2018 Corvette that has been rumored to be called “ZR1” and powered by a new engine called the “LT5”. That rumor may now be fact.
According to a recent poster on Reddit, apparently the fifth page of a recent GM service department document lists the internal codes that GM will use for its 2018 model year vehicles. On that page, is a table called “Passenger Car Engines for GMNA,” and at the end of the table is the description of a new engine: ENGINE GAS CYL, 6.2L, SIDI, DOHC, VVT, ALUM, GM. The engine is listed for the Y-platform which is the Corvette platform. The internal name for that engine is “LT5”.
GMSPO Document
It has been rumored that the 2019 mid-engine Corvette that’s currently in development will also carry a DOHC motor of some kind. Whether or not this new LT5 will carry over into the mid-engine Corvette is anyone’s guess.
Last week, GM announced that it will be investing $296 million into the Tonawanda engine assembly plant in Buffalo, New York in order to start a future V8 engine line in the Generation V family for 2018. The Generation V family of engines currently includes the 6.2-liter LT1 V8 found in the C7 Corvette Stingray as well as some of GM’s full size pickup trucks and SUVs.
It is possible that this new LT5 engine, or even the engine that will power the 2019 mid-engine Corvette, could be built in Tonawanda.
For now, it’s a pretty safe bet, we’ll be seeing a high-revving, fuel efficient engine coming for the C7’s Swan Song.