The LB7 Duramax diesel is a direct-injected, turbocharged, intercooled, four-valve-per-cylinder V-8 that produces 300 hp and 560 lb-ft of torque. Starting from a blank sheet of paper, the 6.6L Duramax is recognized to date as the fastest diesel development program in the world.
It went from concept to initial production in only 37 months. This included the construction of a brand-new "green field" manufacturing plant in Moraine, Ohio. The 600,000 square-foot facility resides on 40 acres and includes four machining lines, a heat-treat facility, and engine assembly. In addition, machining of the cylinder blocks, cylinder heads, crankshafts, and connecting rods are accomplished in Moraine. The factory currently has capacity to produce 105,000 engines per year.
Duramax production of the LB7 engine began in the summer of 2000, and the project was a collaboration of engineering talent from GM and Isuzu-each taking the lead in their respective area of expertise.
