Chrysler LA engine

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The LA engine (light or low A engine) was an evolution of the small-block Chrysler A engine. It continues through this day in the form of the Dodge Viper V10, 3.9 L V6, and 5.2 L and 5.9 L V8. All LA engines are pushrod OHV designs and use a 90° V block. The heads are wedge-shaped, rather than the polyspherical heads in the Chrysler A engine or the hemispherical heads in the Chrysler Hemi engine. All are cast iron, except for the Viper V10, which is aluminum. LA engines have same bore spacing as the A family.

The LA family was rebranded as the Magnum V6 and V8 in the 1990s. All but the Viper and Ram Tough V10s were replaced by the new PowerTech V6 and V8 and Hemi V8 in the early 2000s.

Production of the LA series was long handled by the Mound Road Engine factory in Detroit, Michigan. With most versions cancelled, that plant was closed in 2002.

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273

The LA 273 (4.5 L) was the first LA engine, debuting in 1964 and retiring in 1969. It had a 3.62 in (92 mm) bore and 3.31 in (84 mm) stroke. It had a mechanical solid lifter valvetrain until 1968 when it switched to the hydraulic valvetrain used in the LA 318.

The 273 was used in:

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318

The LA 318 was a 318 in³ (5.2 L) relative of the A 318. Like the A 318, it was bored out to 3.91 in (99 mm). It appeared shortly after the 273, in 1967, and proved tremendously successful. An evolution of this engine was available until the early 2000s when it was retired.

This engine was used in the following vehicles:

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340

The LA 340 (5.6 L) appeared in 1968 and was retired in 1973. It was bored out to 4.04 in (103 mm) 318 with higher-flow heads. The engine was underrated at 275 hp (205 kW) with a single four-barrel carburetor and 290 hp (216 kW) with three two barrels. Both engines could produce at least 315 to 320 hp (235 to 239 kW).

This engine was used in the following vehicles:

This engine was also powering the French Monica 560.

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360

The LA 360 (5.9 L) is version of the LA block bored and stroked to 4.00 by 3.58 in (102 by 91 mm). It appeared in 1971, and was sold until 2003 (known as the Magnum 5.9). It was replaced by the LA-based 5.7 345 Hemi.

This engine was used in the following vehicles:

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238

The 238 V6 is a 238 in³ (3.9 L) V6. It derives from the 318 V8. It debuted in 1987. Output was 125 hp (93 kW) until it was replaced by the Magnum 3.9 starting in 1992.

Applications:

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Magnum 5.2

The Magnum 5.2 is an evolution of the 318 with the same displacement. It received the Magnum V8 name with new manifolds and heads in 1992. Major changes that year include the addition of multiport fuel injection, a new higher-flow valve angle, increased valve lift, and larger exhaust. Power was up to 230 hp and 325tq (172 kW), with 300 ft/lbf of torque, from 170 hp (127 kW) previously. Production of the Magnum 5.2 ended with the 2003 model year Dodge Ram Van. It was replaced by the new 4.7 L PowerTech V8 offered in 2002 Dodge Ram pickups, 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokees, and 2000 Dodge Dakota pickups.

Applications:

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Magnum 5.9

The Magnum 5.9 is an evolution of the 360. It got the Magnum V8 name with the same new manifolds, heads, and fuel injection as the 5.2 for 1993. power output that year was 230 hp (172 kW), with 325 ft·lbf (441 N·m) of torque. The engine eventually reached 250 hp (183 kW) and 345 ft·lbf (332 N·m) of torque in later years or production. Starting in 2003, the 5.7 L Hemi V8 began replacing this engine.

Applications:

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Magnum 3.9

The 3.9 V6 is a 318 with two cylinders removed. It replaced the 238 with the Magnum name in 1992, with the same changes as the Magnum V8s. Power increased substantially, from 125 hp (93 kW) to 180 hp (134 kW). This engine was last produced for the 2003 Dodge Dakota pickup. Starting in the 2004 model year it was entirely removed from production and replaced with the 3.7 L PowerTech V6 engine, which itself was a cut-down version of the 4.7 L PowerTech V8.

Applications:

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Viper V10

The Viper V10 is loosely based on the rest of the LA family, and appeared with the Dodge Viper in 1992. It can be thought of as a Magnum 5.9 with two extra cylinders and a longer stroke of 3.88 in (99 mm).

Originally designed as a truck engine, Lamborghini revamped Dodge's cast-iron block V10 for the Viper by recasting the block and head in aluminium alloy, giving the engine a significant power boost. Some within Lamborghini felt that the pushrod two-valve design, while adequate for the truck application for which the engine was originally created, was unsuitable for a performance car. However, Chrysler was uncertain about the Viper's production costs and sales potential and so declined to provide the budget for the modification.

The engine produced 400 hp (298 kW) and 490 ft·lbf (664 N·m) of torque. The second-generation engine produced 450 hp and 490 ft·lbf. The third-generation engine (starting with 2003 Viper) continues to use this engine, but now with 510 hp and 535 ft·lbf.

Production of the V10 engine started at Mound Road Engine before moving to Conner Avenue Assembly in May 2001. This is the same facility that produces the Viper itself.

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Ram Tough V10

Orginally developed in the 1980s as a truck engine used for the larger size Rams, the V10 was re-engineered as the engine of the Dodge Viper in 1990 by Lamborghini, then owned by Chrysler, and used in the Ram 2500. It was a rare engine and provided far less power than the rebuilt model in the Viper. It was used in Dodge trucks and was called the Ram Tough V10 Magnum.


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See also


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External link

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