[91 s-10baja]

2008-August-19
GM’s Duramax 4.5L Turbo Diesel
admin
By: Matt Kelly
GMnext Contributor

I recently met with Charlie Freese, Executive Director of Diesel Engineering at GM, who introduced me to the new Duramax 4.5L V-8 turbo-diesel engine, scheduled for introduction in 2010 model light duty trucks.

What impressed me was the improved fuel economy over gasoline engines, and the 50-state emissions compliance. This is the first time GM has used a selective catalytic reduction (SCR) NOX after treatment system with diesel particulate filter, which allows the engine to meet Tier 2, Bin 5 regulations, reducing CO2 emissions thirteen percent and particulates and NOX emissions 90% compared to many of the diesel engines of today. Cool!

Charlie went on to describe that instead of putting the intake manifold inside the V, GM reversed the airflow so the exhaust manifold and the turbo are inside the V between the cylinder heads, saving space. Plus, the engine is lighter, built with 70 fewer parts and it’s quieter too!

The engine will debut in Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra North American Light Duty truck models.

What do you think? Join the conversation and send us your comments!

http://blog.gmnext.com/?p=238

 

[MrCritical]

I think GM has never built a decent light duty diesel without Isuzu, and here we go again.

 

[TuffG929]

I think GM has never built a decent light duty diesel without Isuzu, and here we go again.

I don't think this is an isuzu engine. As far as I know, GM owns the rights to the Duramax name.

 

[FenwickHockey65]

What's the fuel economy going to be like?

 

[91 s-10baja]

What's the fuel economy going to be like?

I could give you a number, but it would not be correct!! Perhaps we will wait on that.

 

[roteague]

I think GM has never built a decent light duty diesel without Isuzu, and here we go again.

Perhaps you need to learn a bit about the history of the Duramax then, instead of jumping to nonsense conclusions.

 

[fenderbender]

I believe fuel economy will be 25% higher than the V8, Idk what V8, but let's say the 5.3. Combinded milage in an 09 with the 6 speed is 17mpg. So with the 4.5 it should be around 21.25. 17.5 city, 25 highway.

 

[BigAls87Z28]

Aprox 5mpg better then current 15/20 standards. So maybe 19/25?

 

[HomeDepotChevy]

Aprox 5mpg better then current 15/20 standards. So maybe 19/25?

I would hope that at the very least. I would like to see highway numbers pushing 27-28mpg. And who knows how high you could get with a few mods and a tuner. I am getting 21mpg with my '06 6.6L LLY with a Predator tuner and a 5" turbo back exhaust.

 

[baby-vortec2900]

Sounds inovative. What will the capability of the 4.5 be as compared to the gas engines in terms of towing and hauling?

 

[HomeDepotChevy]

Sounds inovative. What will the capability of the 4.5 be as compared to the gas engines in terms of towing and hauling?

HP/TQ numbers will match a stock LB7 Duramax. 310/520. So I would like to think the towing number might be in the nieghborhood of 12k if not a little more.

 

[KingElvis]

I don't think this is an isuzu engine. As far as I know, GM owns the rights to the Duramax name.

I did a story on this. It was all done in the US. Nothing to do with Isuzu.

This was a 'blank sheet of paper' design on steroids. When the exhaust is going into the middle of the V engine - it's like - we're not in Kansas anymore Toto.

People who are getting nervous about the future of the "1/2 ton pickup" should put their worries aside. The 4.5 is the cavalry riding to the rescue.

This thing has thermal efficiency that simply can't be touched by 'normal' engines. Much more heat/pressure from the exhaust manifold is captured to turn the turbo.

Oh, and it slides into anywhere the Chevy V8 fits.

Dodge might be squeezing another 30hp out of the Hemi, Ford's gone 3 valve crazy - but this 4.5L is like going from 1939 to about 1970 in one jump.

 

[shadams]

Sounds great. I for one cant wait to see what this does for sales. Do we know what transmission will back these?

 

[ChevyRules]

Sounds great. I for one cant wait to see what this does for sales. Do we know what transmission will back these?

Probably the 6L90. Though it would be nice if they would do a lighter version of the Allison.

 

[Joe in T.O.]

Put it in the Camaro!

 

[red_rider]

and it’s quieter too!

-1, I want that diesel truck sound.

 

[jmlee0695]

they should stick this everywhere! Impala SS,CTS,G8,Camaro,Lambdas,GMT355,STS,DTS,Lucerne and anywhere else it fits!

 

[sagegriot]

Perhaps you need to learn a bit about the history of the Duramax then, instead of jumping to nonsense conclusions.

The history I know is that Duramax is an Isuzu design...what's your version?

 

[sagegriot]

Probably the 6L90. Though it would be nice if they would do a lighter version of the Allison.

The 6L90 is a lighter version of the Allison...trust me!

 

[mbukukanyau]

I think GM has never built a decent light duty diesel without Isuzu, and here we go again.

GM took the cash from isuzu and bought V-motori