General Motors Atlas engine

General Motors Atlas
Overview
ManufacturerGeneral Motors Corporation
Also calledVortec
Production2002–2012
Layout
ConfigurationStraight-4, Straight-5, and Straight-6
Displacement
  • 2.8 L; 169.0 cu in (2,770 cc)
  • 2.9 L; 178.3 cu in (2,921 cc)
  • 3.5 L; 211.1 cu in (3,460 cc)
  • 3.7 L; 222.9 cu in (3,653 cc)
  • 4.2 L; 253.9 cu in (4,160 cc)
Cylinder bore
  • 93 mm (3.66 in)
  • 95.5 mm (3.76 in)
Piston stroke102 mm (4.02 in)
Cylinder block materialAluminum
Cylinder head materialAluminum
ValvetrainDOHC 4 valves x cyl. with VVT
Compression ratio10.0:1
RPM range
Max. engine speed6,300 RPM
Combustion
Fuel systemMulti-point fuel injection
Fuel typeGasoline
Oil systemWet sump
Cooling systemWater-cooled
Output
Power output175–291 hp (130–217 kW)
Torque output185–277 lb⋅ft (251–376 N⋅m)
Chronology
Predecessor

Atlas is a name for a family of modern inline piston engines for trucks from General Motors, used in the GMT355 and GMT360 platforms. The series debuted in 2002 with the Oldsmobile Bravada, and is also used in the Buick Rainier, the Chevrolet TrailBlazer and Colorado, the GMC Envoy and Canyon, the Hummer H3, Isuzu Ascender and i-370, and the Saab 9-7X. The engines use GM's Vortec name, and Straight-4, Straight-5, and Straight-6 engines are all part of the same family, sharing the same manufacturing equipment, rods, pistons, valves, and other parts. They feature coil-on-plug ignition systems,[1] variable valve timing on the exhaust side, electronic throttle control, and a special oil pan with a pass-through for the half shafts in four-wheel drive vehicles. The inclusion of VVT on the exhaust camshaft side allows the Atlas series to meet emissions standards without the use of EGR, simplifying the engine design and increasing power for a broad power curve. The LL8 shares 75% of its components with the LK5 and L52; while the LK5 and L52 share 89% of their components.[2]

The Atlas engines feature aluminum cylinder blocks and heads, with the cylinder bores featuring replaceable steel cylinder liners.[1] The 4- and 5-cylinder versions feature dual balance shafts,[3][4] balance shafts being unnecessary in the 6-cylinder.[5]

The Atlas program began in 1995 along with the planning for GM's next-generation mid-size SUVs and pickup trucks. These vehicles were designed around the I6 engine. The I6 version was used in a Baja 1000 racing truck, winning its first race in a class that also included V8 engines. Another I6-powered truck won the truck class at the Pikes Peak International Hillclimb.

The Atlas engines were produced at the Flint Engine South plant in Flint, Michigan, while the I4 and I5 versions were produced at the Tonawanda Engine plant in Tonawanda, New York, near Buffalo.

  1. ^ a b "5 Cylinder Engine - Vortec 3500". Retrieved 2011-10-13.
  2. ^ "Improved Performance and Efficiency Highlight a Robust Powertrain Lineup for '05". Archived from the original on 2010-01-08.
  3. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2006_LK5 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  4. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2006_L52 was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  5. ^ 6 Cylinder Engine - Straight Six - Explained, retrieved 2023-06-17