GM 54-Degree V6 engine

The 54 ° V6 engine is a development of GM from the early 1990s. The specification was a slight petrol engine, which was to replace the six-cylinder used so far. In addition, it should be so compact that it could be known except in the rear-wheel drive vehicles used in those with front wheel drive.

Result of the development was a V6 with the unusually small bank angle of only 54 ° instead of the usual 60 °. This makes it a very compact engine.

  • 4.1 Factory
  • 4.2 Accessories

Basic technical data

  • 54 ° V6 ( instead of the usual 60 °) for particularly compact design
  • Aluminum cylinder heads, each with two overhead camshafts (DOHC ), driven by a toothed belt
  • Four valves per cylinder
  • Heat exchanger between the cylinder heads for controlling the engine oil temperature on the cooling water
  • Forged pistons
  • Bosch ignition modules (DIS ) and spark plugs
  • Bosch Motronic M2 8.X including individual knock sensors for each bank
  • Same cylinder angle and distance even with different levels of displacement
  • Secondary air injection ( except early models, see table below)
  • By vacuum - controlled flaps in the intake tract Ansaugweglänge adjustable ( Multiram ) to optimize the torque curve (except early models, see table below)

The engine was manufactured until 2004 in Ellesmere Port.

Stages of development

L81

The L81 was first introduced in 1993 as a 2.5 V6 in Opel Vectra A and Calibration. Soon followed a revised version with secondary and Multiram, supplemented by a further stage with 3.0 -liter displacement in the Opel Omega B1. Him there was a " MS6 " said Trim in accordance with the used Multiram V6. The L81 has improved consistently over its long construction period. For model year 1998, the oil pump has been revised, enlarged oil passages in the cylinder head and modifying the valve train. A year later, eventually the oil filter has been changed and got a paper element.

LA3

The LA3 was the thoroughly revised version of the L81. Its production began in July 2001 following new features have found their way. :

  • Reducing the compression ratio to 10:1
  • Installation of pre- catalysts with four oxygen sensors instead of secondary air
  • Electronic accelerator
  • Displacement increase to 2.5 to 2.6 oder.von 3.0 to 3.2 liters by increasing the bore and - only the 3.2- liter engine - different crankshaft.

Area of ​​application

The first 54 ° V6 were built in Europe in 1992 in the Opel Vectra and Calibra. Later Opel Omega B and Opel Signum followed. But also in other Group brands, the engine was used, Cadillac, Chevrolet, Holden, Saab or Saturn.

Performance improvement

Factory

The company Irmscher has numerous performance improvements offered for the 54 ° V6 that were available for the most part from the factory. In addition, there were also directly converted from Opel cars ( Opel Special Vehicles ), primarily for the police.

  • Irmscher Vectra B1 / B2 i500 L81 2.5 V6
  • Performance enhanced by sports camshafts, exhaust and ECU optimization
  • L81 with 3.0 V6
  • Performance enhanced by sports camshafts, exhaust and ECU optimization
  • Sport Clutch
  • L81 with 3.0 V6
  • Performance enhanced by sports camshafts, exhaust and ECU optimization
  • LA3 with 3.2 V6
  • Performance increased by manifolds and short Ansaugrüssel from 2.2 DTI
  • LA3 with 3.2 V6
  • Performance increased by compressor, manifolds, chip tuning and exhaust
  • List price of the option from the factory 18.900, - €

Accessories

Again, there were many opportunities. Be it through many more classic engine tuning as headers, camshafts or by charging.

  • Motor model ( V engine )
  • General Motors
  • Opel engine
Motor vehicle Front-wheel drive Aluminium Engine displacement Drive-by-Wire Bore (engine) Saturn Corporation Cadillac Catera Cadillac CTS Chiptuning Exhaust system
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