5.3L V-8 up close
The newest member of the Grand Prix engine family is the 5.3L V-8 with Displacement on Demand (DOD) technology. Developed exclusively for front-drive applications, the 5.3L engine produces 303 horsepower (226 kw) and 323 lb.-ft. (438 Nm) of torque, with DOD helping to reduce fuel consumption by up to 12 percent in certain light-load driving conditions. It also is capable of helping the GXP achieve 0 to 60 times of less than 6 seconds.
DOD technology enables fuel economy gains by reducing the number of cylinders engaged in the combustion process. A sophisticated engine controller determines when to deactivate cylinders, allowing the engine to maintain vehicle speed in lighter-load conditions such as highway cruising. When the cylinders are deactivated, the engine effectively operates as a V-4, with alternate cylinders on each cylinder bank disabled. The engine returns to V-8 mode the instant the controller determines the vehicle speed or load requires additional power. The process is seamless and virtually imperceptible.
Several changes were made to the 5.3L V-8 to accommodate the transverse mounting position required for 2006 Pontiac Grand Prix's front-wheel drive chassis. Overall length was reduced with the help of a shorter crankshaft and a single-belt accessory drive system. Key features of the 5.3L V-8 include:- Aluminum engine block with cross-bolted main bearing caps
- High-flow aluminum cylinder heads
- 10:1 compression ratio for fuel-efficient performance
- Lightweight composite intake manifold
- Electronic throttle control
- GM Oil Life System to minimize required oil changes
- 100,000 mile iridium-tipped spark plugs
- Unique camshaft designed to accommodate DOD technology
A high-performance Hydra-Matic 4T65-E electronically controlled four-speed automatic transmission was strengthened to handle the prodigious torque of the 5.3L V-8. TAPshift (Touch Activated Power) is standard with the GXP and combines the fun and control of a manual transmission, but with the convenience of an automatic transmission.
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