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List of GM engines

From Alfawiki
General Motors
Company typePublic
IndustryAutomotive
Founded1908
FounderWilliam Durant
Headquarters
Detroit
,
United States
Area served
Worldwide
ProductsAutomobiles, automotive engines, industrial power units

Divisions

General Motors was founded in 1908, initially featuring Buick and soon expanding to include Oldsmobile, Cadillac, and Oakland. Its founder, William Durant, grew the company by acquiring a variety of smaller firms but was eventually removed due to excessive financial risk. Durant later regained leadership by incorporating Chevrolet in 1917, although his control remained brief. During this era, each major brand developed and produced its own engines with limited parts compatibility, while sharing components like chassis, suspensions, and transmissions.

Among the early acquisitions was the Northway Motor and Manufacturing Company, established by Ralph Northway, which supplied engines to Buick, Oakland, and others—including V8 engines for Oldsmobile, Oakland, and Cadillac when they operated independently. After Durant's acquisitions expanded GM’s reach, Northway broadened its customer base within GM to encompass Cadillac, GMC, and Oldsmobile. By 1925, Northway Motors was reorganized as the Northway Motor and Manufacturing Division under GM’s Intercompany Parts Group.

Following GM’s 1925 purchase of Fisher Body, the company began harmonizing body styles and design elements across its brands through the Art and Color Section. Despite this unification in coachwork, engines remained a primary means of brand distinction: Buick and Chevrolet favored overhead valve designs, whereas Cadillac, Oldsmobile, and Oakland utilized side valve or flathead engines. Engine production was centralized around brand-specific development with casting operations at Saginaw Metal Casting Operations. By the mid-1960s, GM offered eight separate V8 engine families within the U.S. market.

During the 1970s, GM encountered difficulties due to maintaining multiple unique engine variants across its North American divisions (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Oldsmobile, Buick), each producing different versions of a 350 cu in V8 engine with limited parts interchangeability. This complexity led to higher manufacturing expenses and complicated efforts to meet increasingly strict emissions standards.

To address these issues, GM streamlined powertrain engineering by the early 1980s into fewer engine families. While North American and European engineering largely operated independently, global subsidiaries such as Australia's Holden adopted designs as needed. GM also collaborated with companies like Isuzu and Nissan to supplement engineering capabilities and acquired firms including Saab and Daewoo, integrating their engine technologies into its portfolio. The Powertrain Division evolved into GM Global Propulsion Systems based in Pontiac, Michigan, which transitioned into the GM Global Product Group in March 2020 near the former Pontiac Assembly location.

GM’s German branch, Opel, mainly utilizes three-, four-, and six-cylinder gasoline and diesel engines. As of 2014, Opel’s passenger vehicle lineup predominantly featured petrol and diesel four-cylinder engines, alongside a single three-cylinder and one six-cylinder option.

In addition to automotive engines, GM manufactured industrial power units under brands such as Detroit Diesel, Allison, and Electro-Motive. These industrial engines typically differ significantly from GM’s automotive powerplants.

Two-Cylinder

  • 1904–1911 Buick OHV flat-twin – recognized as the first overhead valve engine produced commercially worldwide.
  • 1909 Oakland vertical two-cylinder engine.

Inline-3

Inline-4

  • 1905–1914 Cadillac Model D side-valve (integral to General Motors’ origins)
  • 1906–1923 Oldsmobile Model S side-valve (also part of GM’s foundation)
  • 1906–1911 Buick Model D inline-four featuring T-head design, notable as Buick’s sole non-OHV engine
  • 1909–1915, 1917–1918 Buick OHV (Model 10 incorporated an OHV-4 configuration)
  • 1917–1924 Buick Series 30 OHV inline-four engine
  • 1909 Oakland Model 40 (contributed to GM’s establishment)
  • 1913–1928 Chevrolet Inline-4 engine (introduced following Chevrolet’s integration into GM)
  • 1923 Chevrolet Series M Copper-Cooled engine
  • 1937–1965 Opel Olympia OHV powerplant
  • 1960–1963 Pontiac Trophy 4 engine derived from Pontiac V8 architecture
  • 1961–1992 Chevrolet 153 4-cylinder engine, evolved from Chevrolet inline-six series
  • 1962–1993 Opel OHV engine known as "Kadett"
  • 1963–1983 Vauxhall Viva OHV unit
  • 1965–1994 Opel CIH design
  • 1966–1988 Vauxhall Slant-4 engine
  • 1970–1977 aluminium-block Chevrolet 2300 engine
  • 1976–1993 Iron Duke engine, manufactured by Pontiac division
  • 1979–1986 Starfire, produced by Holden
  • 1976–1986 Brazilian variant of Isuzu G161 SOHC, used in Chevrolet Chevette models
  • 1980–2014 SOHC/DOHC GM Family II engine, engineered by Opel
  • 1981–2003 GM 122/Vortec 2200 series
  • 1981–2009 acquired through Saab merger, the Saab H engine
  • Since 1982, the SOHC/DOHC designed by Opel, known as the GM Family 1 engine
  • Produced by Oldsmobile, the DOHC Quad 4 engine, from 1987 to 2001
  • The Toyota A engine, utilized in Geo Prizm, from 1989 to 1997
  • From 1990 to 2002, the Saturn I4 SOHC/DOHC engines were in production
  • The DOHC-designed Opel-based Ecotec series (GM Family 0 engine) has been manufactured since 1996
  • Jointly developed by Opel, Saab, and GM Powertrain, the L850 "Ecotec" DOHC has been in production since 2000 (GM Ecotec engine)
  • The first generation Pontiac Vibe featured the DOHC Toyota ZZ engine from 2003 to 2008
  • Second generation Pontiac Vibe incorporated DOHC Toyota ZR and AZ engines during the period of 2009 to 2010
  • Since acquisition via Daewoo merger, the SOHC/DOHC Daewoo S-TEC engines have been produced starting in 2002
  • The DOHC Vortec Atlas engines were manufactured between 2003 and 2012 (General Motors Atlas engine)
  • From 2012 onwards, Opel-designed DOHC Ecotec engines known as the GM Medium Gasoline Engine have been produced (GM Medium Gasoline Engine)
  • The small Ecotec gasoline engines designed by Opel have been in production since 2013 (GM small gasoline engine)
  • Suzuki G and J engines were utilized in Chevrolet Tracker models between 1995 and 2002
  • The Isuzu X engine powered the Geo Storm from approximately 1990 to1993
  • The GM L3B four-cylinder has been manufactured since its introduction in 2018

Flat-4

Five-cylinder

Inline-6


Flat-6


V6

Eight-cylinder

Between the 1950s and 1970s, each General Motors division engineered its own distinct V8 engine lineup. At present, only two V8 engine series continue to be manufactured for passenger vehicles: the Generation V small-block along with its variant, the Gemini small-block.

Inline-8

  • Buick Straight-8: 1931–1936
  • Oldsmobile Straight-8: 1932–1948
  • Pontiac Silver Streak: 1932–1954
  • LaSalle (utilizing Oldsmobile Straight-8 parts uniquely assembled by LaSalle/Cadillac): 1934–1936
  • Buick Fireball: 1936–1953

V8

  • Cadillac Type 51 (also implemented in LaSalle): 1914–1935
  • Oakland Model 50: 1915–1917
  • Oldsmobile Model 40: 1915–1923
  • Chevrolet Series D (introduced after Chevrolet merged into GM): 1917–1918
  • Viking V8: 1929–1931
  • Oakland V8 (used in Pontiac vehicles during its final year): 1930–1932
  • Cadillac Series 60 (also applied in LaSalle): 1935–1948
  • Cadillac OHV V8: 1949–1980
  • Oldsmobile Rocket V8: 1949–1990
  • Buick Fireball V8 ("Nailhead") & Buick Big-Block V8: 1953–1976
  • Chevrolet Small-Block V8 "Generation I" ("Turbo-Fire"): 1955–2003
  • Pontiac V8 (also adapted for GMC trucks): 1955–1980
  • Chevrolet W big-block ("Turbo-Thrust"): 1958–1965
  • Buick small block V8 (foundation for Oldsmobile's 215 aluminum V8, later known as Rover V8 and used in Jeeps and Formula One Repco engines): 1961–1980
  • Chevrolet Big-Block V8 ("Turbo-Jet"): 1965–2009
  • GMC Truck 60-degree V8 (derived from GMC V6): 1967–1972
  • Cadillac New V8 (largest worldwide when introduced): 1967–1984
  • Holden 253 V8: 1969–1984
  • Holden 308 V8 (stroke shortened to produce a 304 cid version; a 350 cid variant manufactured from mid-1994 for HSV): 1969–2000
  • Cadillac High Technology engine: 1982–1995
  • Chevrolet LT5 DOHC V8 (exclusive to Corvette ZR-1): 1990–1995
  • Northstar V8 (also installed in Oldsmobile Aurora): 1993–2010
  • GM LT "Generation II" small-block V8: 1992–1997
  • GM LS small-block V8 (Generations III/IV): 1997–2020
  • GM LT Generation V small-block V8 (Ecotec3): 2014–present
  • Cadillac Blackwing twin-turbo V8: 2018–2020
  • Chevrolet Gemini DOHC V8: 2023–present

Twelve-cylinder

  • Cadillac Twelve (based on the Cadillac Sixteen engine): 1930–1937
  • GMC Twin Six (derived from GMC V6 engine): mid-1960s to 1966

Sixteen-cylinder

  • Cadillac Sixteen OHV (Series 452): 1930–1937
  • Cadillac Sixteen L-Head (Series 90): 1937–1940
  • Cadillac Sixteen concept vehicle: 2003

Gasoline-electric hybrid

  • Voltec powertrain (featured in the Chevrolet Volt)

Three-cylinder

  • Engines produced from 2020 to present

Four-cylinder

  • Opel cam-in-head engine, 2.1 liter variant: 1970–1977
  • Opel cam-in-head engine, 2.0 liter variant: 1975–1981
  • Opel Family II engine, 1.6 liter (16DA/16D): manufactured between 1982 and 1988
  • Opel cam-in-head engine, 2.3 liter models (23YD/23YDT/23DTR): produced from 1982 to 1993
  • Isuzu E series engines (1.5 and 1.7 liters), marketed as D or TD for Opel/Isuzu markets: available from 1982 to 2000
  • Isuzu Circle L engines, marketed as Ecotec DTI, DI, or CDTI; acquired through GM's acquisition of DMAX: produced between 1990 and 2014
  • Opel SOHC16V Ecotec Diesel engines, including the 2.0 and 2.2 liter variants marketed as "Ecotec DTI" or "Ecotec DI": manufactured from 1996 to 2005
  • Fiat JTD engines, particularly the 1.3 liter version marketed as Ecotec CDTI or Ecotec starting in 2003 and continuing to present
  • VM Motori RA420 SOHC diesel engines branded as Ecotec CDTI or Ecotec VCDi with displacements around two liters: produced between 2003 and 2010
  • Fiat JTD diesel engines with a displacement of approximately 1.9 liters marketed as Ecotec CDTI or TiD/TTiD: manufactured from around 2004 to 2009
  • GM Family B diesel engines labeled as "2.0 CDTI": production ongoing since circa mid-1990s to present
  • GM Family Z diesel engines identified as "2.0", "2.2 VCDi", or "2.2 CDTI": available from approximately 2011 through to around mid-2015
  • Duramax four-cylinder diesel engines with displacements of roughly 2.5 and 2.8 liters: produced between about 2012 and early-2022
  • GM Medium Diesel engines, including the "1.6 CDTI Ecotec": in production since roughly mid-2013 onward
  • GM Large Diesel engines marketed as "2.0 CDTI Ecotec": production began circa mid-2014 and continues presently

Six-cylinder

Eight-cylinder

Additional diesel engine developments

GM's involvement with diesel engines began in 1930 upon acquiring the Cleveland-based Winton Engine Company, whose primary customer was the railcar manufacturer Electro Motive Company. Around the same period, GM also took ownership of Electro Motive.

Starting in 1934, GM’s Research and Development Division collaborated with Winton to produce diesel engines suitable for mobile applications, while also addressing marine and stationary power needs. In 1938, Winton was rebranded as the GM Cleveland Diesel Engine Division, concurrently with GM's Detroit Diesel division initiating production of smaller diesel units. By 1941, locomotive engine manufacturing shifted to GM’s Electro Motive Division (EMD), whereas Cleveland Diesel maintained focus on marine and stationary engines.

The Cleveland Diesel division was dissolved in 1962, with its production responsibilities moving to EMD. The Detroit Diesel Engine Division became an independent entity in 1988 and was later acquired by DaimlerChrysler in 2005. GM divested EMD in 2005; it now operates under Progress Rail.

Locomotive engines

  • 1934–1938 Winton 201-A (multi-use)
  • 1938–1966 EMD 567 series
  • 1965–1988 EMD 645 series
  • 1984–present EMD 710 series
  • 1998–present EMD 265

Marine and stationary diesel engines

  • 1934–1938 Winton 201-A (multi-purpose)
  • Various models including:
    • Series 248 (available in 8,12,16 cylinders)
    • Series 258 (12-cylinder, four-stroke, direct reversing)
    • Series 258S (16-cylinder turbocharged, direct reversing)
    • Series 268 (offered in three to eight cylinder configurations)
    • Series 278 (six to sixteen cylinder versions)
    • Additional variants such as models: 241, 288, 338, 498, plus horizontal and vertical radial types like the 358H

Heavy-duty and off-road diesel engines

Land-based turboshaft engines

GM Whirlfire engine lineup includes:

  • GT-300 (1953)
  • GT-302 (1954)
  • GT-304 (1956)
  • GT-305 (1958)
  • GT-309 (1964)
  • GT-404 (1971)

Piston engines

Propfan engines

Turboprop engines

Turboshaft

  • From 1954 to present: Allison T56 "501-D" (manufacturing also undertaken by Rolls-Royce)
  • Since the 1960s to present: Allison 250 (also produced under license by Rolls-Royce)

Turbojet

  • 1944 to 1959: Allison J33 (originally developed by General Electric, production handled by GM)
  • 1946 to 1955: Allison J35 (designed by General Electric, manufactured by GM)
  • 1948 to 1958: Allison J71
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