![[VIDEO] Workers at Tonawanda Discuss the New LT2 V8 for the 2020 Corvette](http://www.corvetteblogger.com/images/content/2020/021320_5b.jpg)
What a beautiful sight for Corvette enthusiasts to see this video from 7 Eyewitness News and reporter Madison Carter that shows LT2 engines for the new Stingray actually being built at the GM plant in Tonawanda, N.Y.
It’s good to see the pride that the workers seem to be taking in making sure the engine lives up to the mandate by GM leader Mark Reuss that each new engine carries a stamp proclaiming to the whole world where it was manufactured.
“It’s a little thing but it’s big for us,” says Plant Manager Ram Ramanujam. “On the engines, we’re actually going to have a sticker that says ‘Made in Tonawanda, N.Y.'”
Some 85 workers will take around two hours to build each engine, with assembly technician Raymond Jenson explaining that each person will take roughly 30 to 40 seconds to do their share of the work.
Saying that the assembly line had to learn eight extra jobs to build the new “much more diverse” engine, Jenson points out that the LT2 is “much more complex” with “many more components.”
“I wouldn’t say (it’s) difficult, but it’s definitely something our workforce has been able to adapt to and transition to,” Jenson says, “and they do an excellent job day in and day out. I’m proud to be a part of 774.”
Shop Chairman Michael Grimmer says getting to build the new Corvette engine is “a huge thing for our membership, a huge thing for our community,” and it “adds more good-paying jobs to our neighborhood.”
Ramanujam says having the opportunity to build the engine for such an iconic car “is very personal” for the workers. “This is part of our community,” he says. “It’s an opportunity to showcase the talent we have, the skillsets of the people we have, and just to broaden the western New York community, as well.”
UAW 774 Local Presidente JR Baker sums it up when he says: “495 horsepower, 470 lb-ft of torque, 0-60 in 3 seconds. I think you can get a lot of places in 3 seconds, right?”
We wouldn’t argue with that assessment, and we salute the men and women at the Tonawanda plant for all their hard work in building a super engine for a supercar.
Source:
7 Eyewitness News
Related:
[PICS] New Tonawanda Pride Badge To Be Featured on the C8 Corvette’s LT2 V8 Engine
[GALLERY] Chevrolet Shares Additional Details on the 2020 Corvette Stingray’s Powertrain
GM’s Tonawanda Powertrain Facility to Build the LT2 V8 for the 2020 Corvette Stingray
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Take note Upper Management (all companies) that this kind of pride results in happy consumers, strong revenue and success.
Great to see the Tonawanda plaque back again
Nice to see the Tonawanda sticker back on the engines!! A source of pride fro the workforce!
Are they building cars though? Haven’t heard anything since the 3rd when the supposed first car came off. Everyone carried the same story and the same photos and crickets since.
I want to see video of cars rolling out . I want to know what the hold is for, how long and what are they checking.
I really don’t want the Tonawanda sticker on my engine or stick it somewhere that I can’t see it. I was hoping this engine would of made at least 525 hp.
That sticker is the exact duplicate of the one being used in the 60’s and 70’s. Great addition to the LT2
Newsman said ” America’s so-called supercar “. WTF?
@Mako you would prefer a Corvette where workers DIDN’T take pride in their work? Specify in your order for assembly workers to pretend they’re building a GM car with crappy build quality, such as a Saturn Ion.
As for preferring the badge in a place where no one can see it, do you plan on driving your Corvette with the engine exposed? I’m sure that body panel engine cover can be removed.
My dry sump LS3 Grand Sport C6 engine was assembled at Wixom Mi. along with ZO6 engines. Based on Tonawanda LT2 article comments, I assume my LT1 Grand Sport C7 dry sump engine was assembled there as well. Is this correct
American Muscle and Damn Proud of It !!!
Love the Team Tonawanda thing. Ironically, I have a very similar sticker on my current ’69 Corvair that parked next to my ’17 Z51 M7.
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