GM's answer to Coyote

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by burnz

L88 in 1978 i think was the last of the BB for car
again not shure if it was flint michigan or st louis missouri
leaning towards st louis because of alloy heads that michigan was not equipped.

2009 is for trucks 8.1ltr

The L18 8.1 litre V8s were built at Tonowada.

Plant bids farewell to big block
End of production of V-8 engine at GM’s Tonawanda facility leads to 150 layoffs

Amid whistles and applause from onlookers, Willie Ray Jr. hoisted the final L18 made at General Motors’ Town of Tonawanda engine plant off the production line and onto a metal cart.

The moment was filled with meaning for the plant’s past, present and possibly its future.

It was the last of the “big block” V-8 engines made by the plant, a legacy dating to 1958 and a local connection under the hood of some renowned GM cars.

The end of the L18 on Friday also puts 150 hourly workers on layoff, bringing to 298 the total number of workers on layoff from the Tonawanda plant.

Along with their words of respect for the big block engines’ long history and regrets over layoffs, plant and union leaders said they are determined to secure a new engine line that would bring back workers.

“We’re all working very, very hard to make this the place for GM’s next engine,” said Steve Finch, plant manager.

The plant continues to make the L850 and inline 4- and 5-cylinder engines for other vehicles. And while the L18 accounted for only about 3 percent of the plant’s annual volume, Friday was its day to shine.