First, the parts are all just machined to tolerances. The hand part is just assembly.
Then, it isn't really like the engine builder doing it. Do measuring. And automated equipment to do things like torque the cylinder heads (in the Detroit video) and presumably the bottom end too.
Individual construction has been tried on car assembly in the past. I believe Volvo did it for a while.
I doubt it either slows production or increases costs significantly. Or by itself adds quality.
The quality is probably added by taking more experienced personnel and giving them a more interesting job. With some direct recognition (if your work is bad, your name is on it; not inspector 12).
I would surmise the primary rationale for GM doing it this way is due to the low volume of LS7 engines required to meet production demands. With the number of Z06's being produced per year it was probably more cost effective to use UAW labor rather than re-tool say, the St. Catherine's engine assembly plant, for such a low volume (by mass production standards). In addition it affords them the opportunity to market the car stating the engine is "hand built".
GM is never one to pass up an opportunity to save money while gaining a marketing tool at the same time.
Viper always hyped the "handbuilt" status of it's cars, guess Chevy wanted to go after that aspect in the publicity. It has to equal or out do Viper in EVERY respect.
Let me ask this. In the past did robuts assemble the rings into the pistons and into the block? I dont think so! In building a motor there has always been HANDS ON.
Is GM married forever to the UAW? I wish they can use non-UAW personnel to build their cars. That will lower the cost for us, the buyers. It's not my intention to start an argument for or against the UAW, but let's just say that I hate anything "union", so un-American. Free enterprise and competition!
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Last edited by Rapid Transit : 01-16-2005 at 06:00 PM.
Yes, all engines are had assembled at least to some degree. However, the point being GM probably determined it would be more cost effective to employ relatively few workers to assemble a small number of engines each per day rather than use an engine assembly plant that uses many workers to assemble hundreds or thousands of engines, including the LS7, which is a relatively low volume unit.
In turn the fact they can state the engine is "hand built" including a signed placard which is, at least in my opinion, merely a marketing gimmick.
Of course it's overblown. Yes, the parts are cast/forged/stamped to spec and the "handbuilding" is assembly. I'm sure we'll see photo ops of guys with micrometers and torque wrenches proudly standing by the motor.
Then again, the hand assembly of the motor does put a personal touch to the car, and if we put our cynicism aside it is a brilliant business decision by GM. Does anyone think that there'll be an engine failure due to beer bottle caps thrown into the crankcase?
It's not my intention to start an argument for or against the UAW, but let just say that I'd hate anything "union", so un-American. Free enterprise and competition!
I totally agree and is the reason I dropped my union membership!
Personally, I dont want anybody caressing the crank on my Z06 :mad:
Wherever humans are involved in auto production and assembly, mistakes are made. I would be much happier if robots assembled the engine. Maybe the same robots that assembled my beater Honda Accord that now has 234,000miles and burns less oil than my 10,000mile coupe.
Personally, I dont want anybody caressing the crank on my Z06 :mad:
Wherever humans are involved in auto production and assembly, mistakes are made. I would be much happier if robots assembled the engine. Maybe the same robots that assembled my beater Honda Accord that now has 234,000miles and burns less oil than my 10,000mile coupe.
HiPo motors are usually build "loose", with lower ring tension, so they'll make more power and do burn a bit more oil. Comes with the territory.
There is a huge difference between hundreds of engines moving down an assembly line which doesn't stop if someone misses an assembly and the hand assembly of an engine by one or two folks!
I used to work at the Chevy Tonawanda, NY engine plant where the 454 engines were built on a line and I observed the "hand assembly " of the ZL1 racing engine. It was machined on a Sunstrand omnimill and then hand assembled in a "clean" room by a couple of technicians.
The new facility is going to be building the Caddy engines along with the z06's. I expect there will be many more caddy engines assembled than the LS7's
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[quote=Rapid Transit]Is GM married forever to the UAW? I wish they can use non-UAW personnel to build their cars.............................................. ............................... First you should learn how to read & write! Are you from the land south of the Rio Grand? If it were not for the unions we who work for corporate america would be working for minimum wage. I am in the T W U [ transport workers union ]. I am also a Viet Nam vet, And a Proud American!!! You know what you can Kiss! E :jawdrop:
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