Latest News

Corvette Engine Build Experience

Since our last update Wixom PBC has been honored to have several guest engine builders in to assemble their engines.   Our recent participants include Mr. Jack Mills, Travis and Zachary Sweigart, and the Bier family.   Also Jerry and Lori Brewis were in to build their second CEBE engine, this time an LS9 for their ZR1 Centennial Edition.  Their photos are now included on our CEBE participants page.

Our most recent CEBE participant was Mr. Beau Blackwell.  Beau built an LS9 for his Torch Red ZR1, and he followed his Corvette build at Bowling Green.

Feedback from all CEBE participants has been very positive, and we are excited to have several more guests scheduled for future builds.

Build Your Own Crate Engine

Mr. Jeff Kasper recently became our first crate engine guest builder.  Jeff completed an LS7 to be installed in his Pontiac Solstice.  It was a pleasure working with Jeff and he put together a very nice video of his day at Wixom.  See attached link.   http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PSuSdkE9H2w

Media Events

There was big excitement at Wixom on November 29, 2011.  That is the day we assembled the 100 Millionth small block Chevy engine.  In addition to many media guests were some of the most influential GM Powertrain engineers and executives responsible for reaching such a milestone of durability and longevity.  Many of the guests and dignitaries eagerly took part in the 100 millionth build.

The final ceremonial bolt torquing was completed by Tom Stephens, Ed Koerner, David Cole and Sam Winegarden.   

See attached link for some highlights of the 100 Millionth build:

http://media.gm.com/autoshows/small_block/2011/public/us/en/powertrain/news.html

Also we have recently had some exciting media guests touring our facility and learning our engine build process.  Look for upcoming news regarding broadcast information.  Sorry, we can’t spill the beans yet…

Show Events

Some of the Wixom engine builders and management staff have had the privilege of representing our facility at some of the top automotive events in the industry.  We have done LS9 engine build demos at the Frankfurt Auto show, the SEMA show in Las Vegas and at the Barrett Jackson show in Scottsdale.   Response has been great and we have met many Corvette owners and enthusiasts.

Profile / History

The GM Powertrain Performance Build Center (PBC), located in Wixom, Michigan produces specialized, high-image powertrains for General Motors’ premier vehicles. This low-volume facility is capable of assembling 15,000 engines per year.

Today, approximately 30 employees make up the team that hand-builds each ZR1 Corvette LS9, Z06 Corvette LS7, and Grand Sport Manual Coupe Corvette LS3-Dry Sump engines. A skilled builder assembles the complete engine. The highly skilled technicians have experience at assembling and testing complete engines from their previous positions within GM. They are trained to accomplish every task involved in building the engine, including engine component and process inspection.

After assembly, each engine is cold tested and balanced to assure that the engine meets all the standards and quality requirements demanded from such high performance cars.

Work began in 2004 with a $10 Million dollar investment to build the 100,000 sq ft. center. The first products produced at the facility were the LS7 engine for the Z06 Corvette and the LC3 S/C Northstar for the STS-V and XLR-V Cadillacs.