Perhaps shooed along by the announcement of Ford’s new 7.3L gas engine for their 2020 heavy duty trucks, Chevrolet has released the specs on the new L8T gas engine for Chevy trucks. This engine will also be used in the mechanically identical GMC units as well. From a factory performance perspective the 401hp and 464 lb-ft means that it’ll run like the wind when hooked to a 10-speed automatic transmission. From a hot rodding perspective, the iron block means that junkyard divers will have something they can really put the screws to with boost.

The engine is direct injected but that will not be too large of a hurdle once port injection intake manifolds are developed to supplement fuel delivery. Aftermarket advancements continue with DI as well, so it will not be long until we start seeing these engines on the dynos of various well known shops making big power.

We’re guessing that this baby will bolt right into a Camaro as well with the requisite oil pan change. Yes, this is a pushrod engine with the camshaft in the place where it has always been with small block Chevy engines (Lotus designed, Mercury Marine built examples, excluded).

Here’s a rundown of what to expect out of the L8T V8 from Chevrolet –

Type:6.6L V-8 gasoline

Bore & Stroke (in / mm):4.06 x 3.86 / 103.25 x 98

Block Material:Cast iron with nodular iron main caps

Cylinder Head Material:Cast aluminum

Compression Ratio:10.8:1

Valvetrain:Overhead-valve, two valves per cylinder, variable valve timing

Fuel Delivery:Direct fuel injection

Power (hp / kW @ rpm):401 / 299 @ 5200 (SAE certified)

Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm):464 / 629 @ 4000 (SAE certified)

Predecessor:6.0L V8 L96/LC8