During Year's end at Orielly here in Tucson, we reflect on the fact that this is the time when we hope all of our customers have had great times spent with friends and family. We have had time here to glance back a bit at the brand we love to represent, and just how far Chevy has come during the last century. Putting able and tough trucks in the hands of more than 85 million new customers, Chevy has been at the grindstone looking for ways to improve every new model of truck with vigor. Driving off the lot with a new and capable model will allow you to tow the jet skis and boat around for the weekend, or give you the ability to escape from the office into the wild blue yonder at the drop of a hat if needed.
Torque is the actual twisting force an engine generates, and we will be the first and most proud to tell you that nobody does torque like Chevrolet. The increase in capability of Chevy trucks has been driven over the years by the very die-hard performance of several various engine families that share an elegant, overhead-valve architecture that contributes to torque production with lower RPMs, reduction in complexity, and packaging that is more compact. Here's a look at some of the most iconic truck models in Chevy history, and details on how each one has made their very own impact.
1929: The very first “Stovebelt” Six: First introduced back in 1929, Chevrolet's first overhead-valve inline-six engine was an entry that brought big torque to the market. It was very iconic, in that it allowed Chevy to increase its work-truck load rating from 1 ton to 1.5 tons. Taking up 194 cubic inches, its all-new design helped generate torque while keeping the rpm number low: 120 lb-ft at only 800 rpm. The very characteristic nickname was based on external fasteners that resembled the bolts on wood-burning stoves, but quickly became synonymous with the durability and longevity of the engine.
1955: The Coming of the First Small Block V-8: Chevy introduced their revolutionary overhead-valve V-8 engine, later to be known simply as the “Small Block”, in 1955. The original engine inside was a 265-cubic inch 4.3-L engine that produced 238 lb-ft of torque, and evolved into a staple of truck engines that proved to be one of the most enduring of all-time. About ten years after this small-block was introduced, the Big Block engine family made its debut, elevating capacity to an amazing level for all gas-powered trucks. To this date, the Small Block is currently in its fifth generation in 2018 Chevy Trucks, while the original Small Block and Big Block siblings still exist as high-performance crate engines.
1987: Before the 1970's, the increase of displacement and higher compression were among the least difficult of ways to build more torque and horsepower. When industry mandates dramatically affected the way that traditional power was built, it was time to trade in high compression for a better level of technology. The development of electronic fuel injection helped restore the torque from years past with a higher level of efficiency. During 1987, the Small Block engine regained its torque state of 300-lb-ft. Just a few years later, the 5.7-Liter Vortec Small Block was able to boost the torque generation another 10 percent. The “virtual ribbon” for the highest torque rating of any light-duty pickup goes to this year's Silverado 1500: the 6.2-L block is rated at 460-lb of torque, and direct injection, as well as variable valve timing, were factors for this success.
The Modern Diesel Era of Duramax began in 2001, when the Duramax 6.6-liter turbo-diesel was introduced. Sporting overhead valves and 520 lb-ft of torque, it was an all-new design that brought on a very exciting era of higher power. Due to amazing technological advances, it really upped the ante on torque output, and the second-generation that is housed in the 2018 Silverado HD offers 910 lb-ft of torque. This is an amazing 75% gain in torque from the early original. The good and well-versed experts atCar and Driver recorded a 0-60 mph time in 6.2 seconds, which was the quickest tested time for an HD truck. The Eisenhower grade in Colorado is no simple feat to climb, and being equipped with Duramax helped with a TFL-Truck recorded time of this natural hurdle in 10:16.99 minutes!
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