First CGI Engines in Domestic Truck Production

Sept. 2, 2008
SinterCast blocks now on the road in Navistar trucks

SinterCast AB reports that Navistar International Corp.’s International Truck and Engine division has begun manufacturing the first vehicles in North America to include a SinterCast CGI engine. International Truck installs the engines in its Class 8 (“over the road” diesel) trucks, and the first such vehicle with a CGI block was delivered in mid July.

“We congratulate International on becoming the first OEM to develop, launch, and deliver a compacted graphite iron engine in the important North American market. The state-of-the-art design arrives at an opportune time as truckers seek lightweight and efficient engines to compensate increasing fuel prices in North America,” according to SinterCast president and CEO Dr. Steve Dawson. “With a potential of more than 125,000 engine equivalents per year, this high-volume program provides an important first reference for SinterCast-CGI in North America, where we expect the launch of new SinterCast-CGI engines in the pick-up and SUV sectors during 2009 to make this our largest near-term growth market.”

SinteCast supplies process control technology for producing CGI, a ferrous product described as having “at least 75% higher tensile strength, 45% higher stiffness, and approximately double the fatigue strength of conventional cast gray iron and aluminum.” For automotive engine designs, SinterCast says CGI allows designers to improve performance, fuel economy, and durability while reducing engine size weight, noise, and emissions.

CGI cylinder blocks for 11- and 13-liter MaxxForce engines are cast at Tupy’s S©o Paulo foundry in Brazil, and delivered to International Truck and Engine’s diesel engine plant in Huntsville, AL. According to Navistar, CGI provides the engines with “outstanding fuel economy, excellent power characteristics, quiet operation with low noise, vibration and harshness, and high strength without added weight.”

The MaxxForce 13 is a 475-hp engine said to be 100 kg lighter than comparable new engines available in North America, and 150 kg lighter than the International Truck engine it replaces.