Chevrolet LFV Specifications
| Engine Model: Chevrolet LFV |
| Engine Type: 4-cycle 4-cylinder DOHC 16-valve turbocharged liquid-cooled gasoline |
| Total Displacement: 91.1 cu.in (1.49 L) |
| Rated Engine Power: 163 Hp (120 kW) at 5700 rpm |
| Fuel System Type: Spark ignition direct injection (SIDI) |
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The Chevrolet LFV is a 1.5-liter turbocharged
inline-four engine that belongs to General Motors' Small Gasoline Engine (SGE)
family. Introduced in 2014 for the North American and Chinese markets, this
powertrain was engineered to deliver a balance of responsive performance and
enhanced fuel efficiency for midsize sedans and crossover utility vehicles.
It features a lightweight all-aluminum construction, sophisticated dual overhead
camshaft (DOHC) valvetrain, and direct fuel injection. The LFV became a
cornerstone engine for models such as the ninth-generation Chevrolet Malibu,
Buick LaCrosse, and Buick Envision, valued for its refined operation and compact
dimensions.
Engine Type: Inline 4-cylinder, turbocharged, direct-injection
Displacement: 1,490 cc (91.1 cu.in)
Bore x Stroke: 74.0 mm x 86.6 mm
Compression Ratio: 10.0:1
Cylinder Block Material: Cast aluminum alloy
Cylinder Head Material: Cast aluminum alloy
Valvetrain: Dual Overhead Camshaft (DOHC), 4 valves per cylinder, with hydraulic
lifters
Firing Order: 1-3-4-2
Maximum Engine Speed: 6,500 rpm (fuel shut-off).
Ignition System: Individual coil-on-plug.
Fuel Requirement: 87 octane regular unleaded (or AИ-95 equivalent in
international markets).
Dry Weight: 115 kg (253.5 lbs) without fluids
Horsepower:
Chevrolet Malibu (2016-2018): 163 hp (120 kW) at 5,700 rpm.
Chevrolet Malibu (2019-2025): 160 hp (119 kW) at 5,700 rpm.
Buick and other applications: 163-169 hp (121-126 kW) at 5,600-5,700 rpm.
Torque:
Peak torque: 184 lb-ft (250 Nm).
Torque plateau: 2,500-3,000 rpm (Chevrolet Malibu) or 2,000-4,000 rpm in other
variants.
The cylinder block is manufactured from cast aluminum
alloy, contributing to a significant reduction in overall engine weight. The
open-deck design allows for efficient heat dissipation during high-load
operation. The block incorporates cast-iron cylinder liners to provide a durable
wear surface for the pistons and piston rings.
The bedplate design integrates a structural ladder frame that reinforces the
lower crankcase area, enhancing rigidity and reducing noise, vibration, and
harshness (NVH). Balance shafts are integrated into the block assembly to
counteract the inherent second-order vibrations of the inline-four
configuration, ensuring smooth operation across the rev range.
The aluminum cylinder head features a dual overhead
camshaft (DOHC) arrangement with four valves per cylinder. The valvetrain
incorporates hydraulic lash adjusters (hydraulic lifters) that eliminate the
need for manual valve clearance adjustments, reducing maintenance requirements.
Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) is utilized on both the intake
and exhaust camshafts, allowing the engine control unit (ECU) to optimize valve
overlap for improved fuel economy, reduced emissions, and enhanced low-end
torque. The exhaust manifold is integrated into the cylinder head casting, a
design that allows the exhaust gases to be cooled by engine coolant, reducing
the thermal load on the turbocharger and enabling faster engine warm-up times
for reduced emissions.
The LFV engine employs a Spark Ignition Direct
Injection (SIDI) fuel system. A high-pressure mechanical fuel pump, driven by a
dedicated lobe on the camshaft, pressurizes fuel to a significantly higher
pressure than conventional port injection systems.
Fuel is injected directly into the combustion chamber, allowing for precise fuel
metering, improved atomization, and enhanced charge cooling. This charge cooling
effect reduces the tendency for engine knock, allowing for a higher compression
ratio and improved thermal efficiency. The system utilizes a returnless fuel
design to minimize fuel heating in the tank.
The lubrication system is a fully pressurized,
variable-displacement oil pump that adjusts oil flow based on engine speed,
load, and temperature to reduce parasitic drag. The engine requires full
synthetic oil meeting the dexos1 Gen 3 specification. While aftermarket sources
often list 5W-30, official GM documentation for the Chevrolet Malibu specifies
0W-20 viscosity grade.
Total engine oil capacity including the filter is approximately 4.0 liters (4.2
quarts). The system includes a liquid-cooled oil cooler integrated into the oil
filter housing assembly to maintain stable oil temperatures under sustained
high-load conditions.
The cooling system utilizes a cross-flow radiator
configuration with a 50/50 mixture of clean water and DEX-COOL coolant. The
total coolant capacity for the LFV engine is 6.5 liters (6.9 quarts). A
dual-speed electric cooling fan manages airflow through the radiator.
The system incorporates a wax-type thermostat with a bypass design to facilitate
rapid engine warm-up. With the integration of the exhaust manifold into the
cylinder head, coolant passages surround the exhaust ports, transferring heat to
the coolant during cold starts for quicker heater performance and reduced engine
friction during warm-up.
The engine is equipped with a single-scroll,
wastegate-controlled turbocharger supplied by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI).
The turbocharger is mounted directly to the cylinder head-integrated exhaust
manifold, minimizing the distance for exhaust gas travel to reduce turbo lag. A
liquid-cooled charge air cooler (intercooler) reduces intake air temperature to
increase charge density and combustion efficiency.
Timing Drive: The camshafts are driven by a
maintenance-free silent timing chain. The chain is designed for the service life
of the engine and does not require regular replacement under normal operating
conditions.
Start-Stop System: The engine is equipped with an automatic Start-Stop system
that shuts down the engine during idle conditions to conserve fuel. A reinforced
starter motor and an auxiliary battery management system ensure quick and
seamless restarting.
Engine Oil Capacity: 4.0 liters (4.2 quarts) with
filter.
Engine Oil Viscosity: 0W-20 (dexos1 Gen 3) / Alternative: 5W-30.
Coolant Capacity: 6.5 liters (6.9 quarts) DEX-COOL mixture.
Spark Plug Type: Iridium tip (high service life).
Spark Plug Gap: 0.71 mm (0.028 in).
Service Intervals: Oil change recommended every 7,500-10,000 km (4,500-6,000
miles) depending on driving conditions; timing chain inspection is generally not
required for the life of the engine.
Cylinder Head Bolts (M11): 30 Nm (22 lb-ft) + 100°
Main Bearing Cap Bolts: 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) + 80°
Connecting Rod Cap Bolts: 20 Nm (15 lb-ft) + 80°
Camshaft Cap Bolts: 12 Nm (9 lb-ft)
Spark Plugs: 15 Nm (11 lb-ft)
Chevrolet Malibu (9th Generation): 2016-2025 (North
America and global markets).
Buick Envision (1st Generation, D2XX): 2014-2021 (China and North America).
Buick LaCrosse (3rd Generation, P2XX): 2017-present (China).
Buick Regal: 2018-present (Chinese market).
MG (SAIC) Models: Marketed as 1.5 TGI (China).
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