While most automotive pundits would not usually call an engine plant “cool”, that is exactly how the GM Powertrain Build Center in Wixom, Michigan is being described by Auto123.com writer Jonathan Yarkony of the Canadian Auto Press. GM’s PBC is considered a boutique factory with 100,000 square feet facility and 58 employees when compared with the Ford factory down the road with nearly 4 million square feet. And while the Ford plant will soon be idled, the PBC’s engine production is running at over 100% of capacity for the two high performance engines it produces.
The plant currently builds for two models: The Z06 Corvette’s LS7 and the Cadillac’s V-Series LC3. The LS7 production is running at 120% while the V-Series LC3 is at 140%.
How these powerplants are built are also unique: One master builder will assemble the entire engine from start to finish, and when they are finished, their name is affixed to the block on a small plaque.
This method of building engines has produced an unforeseen consequence: Groupies. Some owners who have visited the PBC have the builder of their engine sign their engine covers or have given rides – a very cool fringe benefit.
Click here to read the entire article at Auto123.com.
Related: LS7 Factory Tour
Technorati Tags: Corvette | Cadillac | Engines
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I love the new Corvette ZO6 engine, but I thought some of you guys might be interested in our dyno tese of the 1967 L88 Corvette, it is impressive, our next one will be a supercharged L88 Corvette dyno test, I’m getting sick of hearing how Fors and Dodge built the most powerful muscle cars, and I’m out to prove that wrong.
<a href="http://muscle-car-resto.com/news/modules.php?name=Content&pa=showpage&pid=9">Our Dyno Results</a>
David C. Atkin
Z06 sounds like the ZL-1’s built in a clean room at the Tonawanda Engine plant in 1969, been there, done that. Curiously they cost as much (in today’s dollars) to build.
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