Chevrolet 2.8 V6 Specs
by John WillisIn 1980, General Motors rolled out a line of 60-degree V-6 engines known as the "GM 60s." They were produced for 10 years in the 2.8-liter size. A similar engine is still in production today. The V-6 configuration delivers more torque than an in-line, four- or six-cylinder motor and gets better gas mileage than a V-8. It's an economical workhorse, well suited to a broad range of applications.
V Configuration
A "V" configuration, as in a V-6, V-8 or V-12 engine, has two straight banks of cylinders. The term "60 degrees" refers to the relative angle of the cylinder banks which, when viewed sideways, looks like a "V." The bottom of the "V" is where the cylinder banks connect to the crankshaft. By applying pressure to the crankshaft from two different angles, the V configuration can generate relatively higher torque than an in-line configuration of the same size.
Original Chevy 2.8 Specs
GM's Chevrolet 2.8 V-6 engine displaces 2.8 liters, which refers to the size of the motor. The displacement is the total volume of each cylinder from the lowest point in its travel (bottom dead center) to the highest point in its travel (top dead center.) Original 2.8 V-6 engines with a 3.5-inch bore and 3.0-inch stroke produced 135 maximum horsepower at 4,900 rpm and 135 foot-pounds of torque at 3,900 rpm.
Generations
In 1987, the 2.8-liter V-6 configuration saw major improvements and it was dubbed the "Generation II" model. The pistons, cylinder heads and valves were completely reworked. In 1992, the engine was expanded to 3.1 liters and then expanded again to 3.4 liters in 1993 while maintaining the core developments of the original GM 60 2.8-liter V-6.
GM 60 Uses
GM's 60-degree, 2.8-liter, V-6 engines are used in a variety of GM cars, including the Chevy Citation, Buick Skylark, Pontiac Fiero, Camaro, S-10 Blazer and Cadillac Cimmaron. The GM 60 was produced in transverse and longitudinal configurations to be used in front-wheel or rear-wheel drive cars.
References
Writer Bio
John Willis founded a publishing company in 1993, co-writing and publishing guidebooks in Portland, OR. His articles have appeared in national publications, including the "Wall Street Journal." With expertise in marketing, publishing, advertising and public relations, John has founded four writing-related ventures. He studied economics, art and writing at Portland State University and the Pacific Northwest College of Art.
