Chrysler SOHC V6 engine

The single overhead cam V6 introduced in 1993 was a major advancement for Chrysler. It was derived from Chrysler's first homegrown front-wheel drive V6, the Chrysler 3.3 engine, and remains in production today. The SOHC V6 is likely to be replaced by the Chrysler Phoenix engine by 2013.

There are three major variants of this basic design. The smaller 3.3 L and 3.8 L are pushrod engines, while the 3.5 L, 3.2 L, and 4.0 L are overhead cam. Additionally, a 2.7 L DOHC version is also produced. Chrysler continues to produce the 3.5 L version of this engine along with the 2.7 L LH V6. This line is expanded further for 2006 with the addition of the 4.0 L engine debuting in the Dodge Nitro.

OHV

The original 3.3 engine, as well as the larger 3.8 L variant, are traditional pushrod engines. The 3.3 was introduced in 1990 and was joined in 1991 by the 3.8. Both remain in production today in Trenton, Michigan, and both use a cast iron block and aluminum heads.

SOHC

A single overhead camshaft was a major addition to the lineup for 1993. Introduced with the 3.5 L engine, this basic design spawned the DOHC 2.7 L Chrysler LH engine as well as the 3.2 L and new 4.0 L variants. All but the 2.7 and high-output 3.5 are produced at Trenton Engine in Trenton, Michigan.

The SOHC engine uses an engine block that is very similar to its pushrod ancestors. But the front of the block was modified for the camshaft drive, and the heads are entirely different. One major change was that the SOHC engine was originally designed for the longitudinal placement of the Chrysler LH platform, rather than the transverse engine design of the K-cars and minivans. Since the bottom end was the same, the engine could be produced on the same assembly line in Trenton as the pushrod engine.

1993-97 3.5L engines are a non-interference engine meaning that the valves will not collide with the pistons in the event of a timing belt failure. The 1998-2001 3.2L, the 1998-present 3.5L, and the 2007-present 4.0L engines are interference.

3.5

This 3,518 cc (3.518 L; 214.7 cu in) engine is a version of the 3.3 but with a larger bore of 96 mm and the important addition of overhead cams. The 3.5 L version has an intake arrangement with two separate manifolds and throttle bodies connected with a crossover valve. This provides better low- and midrange torque. The four valves per cylinder are driven by a single overhead camshaft as opposed to the conventional DOHC arrangement for multivalve engines.

At its debut in 1993, this engine produced 214 hp (160 kW) and 221 ft·lbf (300 Nm) from a iron block and aluminium cylinder heads. The 3.5 L engine was redone entirely of aluminum in 1999 as the EGG high output, producing 247-253 hp (190 kW) at 6500 rpm with 250 ft·lbf (339 Nm) of torque at 4000 rpm. Output from 2002-2004 for the standard output EGJ is 234 hp (174 kW) at 6000 rpm with 241 ft·lbf (327 Nm) of torque at 4400 rpm. Also for 2002-2004, the EGK 3.5 L Special was built exclusively for the 300M Special, producing 255 hp and 258 ft·lbf.

The EGJ is built in Trenton, MI. The EGG is built in Kenosha, WI. Both are still in production. The EGK version is no longer in production as of 2004.

Vehicles using the 3.5 include:

• EGJ
  • Chrysler Sebring
  • Dodge Avenger
  • Chrysler Concorde
  • Chrysler LHS
  • Chrysler New Yorker
  • Dodge Intrepid
  • Eagle Vision
  • Plymouth Prowler
• EGG
  • 2005 Chrysler 300
  • 2005 Dodge Magnum SXTTouring
  • 2006 Dodge Charger
  • 1999-2004 Chrysler 300M
  • 2002-2004 Chrysler Concorde Limited
• EGK
  • 2002-2004 Chrysler 300M Special

3.2

The 3.2 L version came along with the updated LH platform in 1998. It was an SOHC 4-valve design displacing 3,231 cc (3.231 L; 197.2 cu in) with a smaller 92 mm (3.6 in) bore but the same 81 mm (3.2 in) stroke as the 3.5. It produced 225 hp (168 kW) and 225 ft·lbf (305 N·m) and met the TLEV standard. It was discontinued after the 2001 model year. Option code EGW.

Applications:

• 1998-2001 Chrysler Concorde
• 1998-2001 Dodge Intrepid

4.0

The 3.5 L engine was expanded to 3,952 cc (3.952 L; 241.2 cu in) for the 2007 Dodge Nitro and Chrysler Pacifica. Like its family members, this is a SOHC engine and is built in Trenton, Michigan. DaimlerChrysler reportedly spent $155 million to build out the Trenton plant to manufacture this engine. Option code EGQ for front wheel drive applications, EGS for rear wheel drive applications.

The 4.0 produces 255 hp (190 kW) and 275 ft·lbf (373 N·m).

Applications:

• 2007–present Dodge Nitro
• 2007–2008 Chrysler Pacifica
• 2008–present Chrysler Town & Country
• 2008–present Dodge Grand Caravan
• 2009–present Volkswagen Routan

DOHC

The DOHC 2.7 L Chrysler LH engine is based on this same design, though the bore, stroke, and production site are different.

References

1. ^ "PacificaPR.indd" (PDF). http://www.media.chrysler.com/dcxms/assets/specs/PacificaFeaturesSpecs.pdf. Retrieved 2009-08-01. 

• "Chrysler 3.8 liter and 4.0 liter V6 Engines". Allpar.com. http://www.allpar.com/mopar/38-40.html. Retrieved May 24, 2009. 
• "The 2.7, 3.2, and 3.5 liter engines". Allpar.com. http://www.allpar.com/mopar/new6.html. Retrieved February 6, 2006. 
• Joel D. Pietrangelo. "LH engineers become true believers in teamwork" (^{[dead link]}). Ward's Auto World (March 1992). http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m3165/is_n3_v28/ai_11928200. 

See also

• List of Chrysler engines