hyperv6

IF DOHC is such a poor design that GM is one of the only ones still making it? It is not good enough for everyone else but Dodge. The push rod engine is cheaper to build. Hmm. I just wonder why it is the two push rod kings were still making excuses for building push rod engines? Could it have been the lack if money?? You want a good example? The new Camaro has a V6 that makes 304 HP on 3.6 liters vs a 6.2 V8 that makes 426 Hp in top form. It is not all direct injection here. The Northstar was killed more do to cost. Even the V6 in the Camaro was a concern do to cost. DOHC is just more expensive in a V style engine and cost is the prime factor. The fact is the push rod V8 is still around more to the fact it is cheaper to build. Less parts. I will give you that GM has done well for a long time with the puch rod and the LS engine is a good engine. But time is running out. You can argue with me but when the other companies start to move back to push rods I will tell you that you were right. But how many push rods are in development with any of the other companies? Do you see a great move back to push rods? Is GM the only one that is right and everyone else is wrong? I think you need to be prepared as I expect GM to move away from push rods soon in the V8. THey have already done so with the Truck Diesel. Believe me I would rather see the LS engine continue as I make a lot of money off those engines. When Ford the loss of the 5.0 hurt. But I stopped buying the lie along time ago and know the companied need to be more efficent with there engines or we will not have any kind of performance with the new goverment rules.

Imagine if they had a modern engine to work with how much better it would be. You are missing my point that the present engine is good and I do not disagree but the key to the present engine is large CID. In the future you are going to lose CID and need to do more with less. This are what GM is going to be up against. Now if all they did is use this engine in a Vette with a limited volume it is not a big deal but if it is to be shared with trucks and Cadillac sedans in the future they are in a volume that they can no longer be as inefficent per liter and with emissions as they are now. They are going to have to fit very tight rules that are coming.. Time to plan for the future as it is at hand. The only reason we have what we have now is GM could not afford to do the better engine. Today they can and need to. I usd to think this way and was fooled by GM stating we don't need no stinkin OHC and 5 Speed trannys. Now that I have spent a lot of time behind the wheel of modern DOHC and 6 Speeds I found out what we have been missing. With DI and VVT the new DOHC and Turbo engines come alive in ways we never saw before. GM has the lead with the 4 and V6 and if they don't watch Ford with their Ecoboost marketing will take the lead with an engine not as good yet. The other factor is many people want the latest and greatest. Technology is king now in many cars. The higher the price the more they expect. By the way just one county south of me there are still a lot of those buggys still rolling.

You make a good point why change when you can upgrade old proven technology. Note the rack on the back and the liberal use of reflectors. This one had a real bitchin sub woofer. [i am not kidding some do]. Those Amish kids around here have no time for those stinkin Vettes the English drive.

Many DOHC V8 engines vary in size some larger and some smaller in outside dim. The point is efficent with the smaller displacement makes for a engine that gets better MPG, Emissions and more power. These three things are going to be a must for the future of performance. We need to get more out of less. Also many of these engines are new clean sheet designs so they are stronger lighter and are not the monsters of the past. Look at the way GM packages the Northstar. For a DOHC engine is is a very tight package. I still would not want to change the starter.

SMACK! The Vette with a V8 base model is a cheap budget base sports car. Once you have the V8 in all of them it is cheaper. THe V6 was rejected several times by GM studies of Vette owners just as mid engine has been.

Agree once you go for a premium image the caps should go away. As for comparing this to the G8, you can't. This is another kind of car. Apples and oranges here. This is more to luxury than to over all performance. Similar class but different goups you aim for. This never was ment to be a gear head car for the ring. Also keep in mind much of this car was done with a GM with no money. I think if this was started when GM had no Pontiac and had money it would have been a much different car. The unanounced models from this point forward not counting the new small Delta and Regal may be interesting but we will not see them for a while.

Note all the DOHC engines are smaller or much smaller doing nearly the same work. THe point is in the future we are not going to have 5.7-6.0-6.2 engines to make up for their lack of efficency with cubic inches. The Vette team will have to learn to do more with less. I have 290 Hp and 315 ft lb with only a 2.0 GM engine. If they can do that with 2.0 imagine what they could do with 4.0 0r 5.0? Not only will it be powerful but it will meet the future demads of the EPA and CAFE. As for weight and size of the engines. that is no longer true either. The guys who have swapped Northstars into Fiero's ahve found them to fit in as well or better than the LS engines and 3800SC engines. SO if some guy in a back yard can fit an DOHC engine low and in a small engine compartment I am sure GM can find a way. The Key to the Vettes Future is the following. Lighter! THis will increase performace, handeling and braking more any what you can do with and system improvment. V8! No matter the engine it needs to remain a V8. Front engine. Keep the engine up front. Vette guys wear this as a badge of honnor. GM has learned that and are fine with this as it helps keep cost in line. Keep it affordable. While Vettes are not cheap the key to it has always been the sports car for the common man. If you can't by one new most can used. The last few years the performance has been on a scale that we never though they could do even in a base model. Keep special models coming. GM in the past always had special limited cars for image and racing. ZL1, LT1, L88, ZR1 Z06 Etc. These often are not expensive to make but attract a lot of attention to the Vette and Chevy. The last point of attracting attetion to Chevy is important. GM needs to show a little Vette in all their cars again. They need to show the same people who give us the Vette is are also the people who can give us quality cars in the entire line up. In the past the Chevelle, Nova and even the Impala had a little Vette in them. It may have been a shared engine, suspension part or styling que. The new Camaro has a lot of Camaro but the lines scream C6 in it overal effect. The styling makes a statment that I am part of this family. Of late most Chevy's have screemed we are Chevy and the Vette was adopted. The Vette is to Chevy as the Blimp is to Goodyear. It should be brought closer to Chevy and not pulled away as it has been in the past few years. Also incorperate Jake into all Special performaing Vettes. You have a cool Take No Prisoners image that could be made effective but do not make it a cheap sticker add on like it is on the special edition cars. The image on the intake of the ZR1 is the kind of touch ans where it should be used. Make the image mean something special mechanically was done and not to fool with me. It ain't bragging if you can back it up.

The reason I want the DOHC is efficiency. The new engines will grow smaller in time We may still have a V8 but it will not be as large as it is today. By going to the DOHC it will improve the power per liter. Add to that a twin turbo with DI and VVT and you would have a power plant worty of a Ferrari. Base a truck engine on this design as well as a engine for Cadillac they could all support the cost and have a world class engine. The LS line is amazing to make the power it does with a very inefficent engine as well as an engine that has yet to take advantage of VVT or DI yet. GM threw tech into the Ecotech or 3.6 DI and it has paid off with a great little engines that can. Just put that effort into a V8 and it will make it viable for many vehicles even with the tougher goverment standards. Besides how much longer will the lie that the 2 valve engine abd 4 speed autos are enough. GM bought time buy saying they were good enough but the truth was they just could not afford to go with the better technolgy.

Leave GNX, T Type, Grand National, Grand Sport, and Stage One to history. These cars are different and it is not fair to them or the original cars to try to pawn off on a historic image not many remember today unless you are a gearhead. If GM an d Buick want to convice this is a different car and a different company they need to move in a new direction and to new ground and prove them selved with new products with their own identity. Time to create new Buicks with their own history and not an old dream.

There is no place for even a small V12 in the future. Also GM needs to go at least 4 valve in the V8. The excuses they have used since they could not afford the change over will no longer work. They have done well with 2 valves but like sticking with the 4 speed Automatics it is time to get up to date. At least even for their image as being a up to date advanced power plant. The smaller displacement will need more RPM and even a turbo to meet mileage and still make power. DI thrives with Turbocharging. Like I said if GM can get 145 HP per liter out of the Ecotec then imagine what they could do with a modern V8. THe variable timing would also suit the trucks as the computer would be tuned for the application it is in.

On numbers matching I am good if it is a car that matters but a stock 305 Monte that they made thousands off I always opt for the better engine. I have started to get my kid to help me on the cars. If he does want to do the work at least he will know enough not to get ripped off. I also got him racing a Soap Box Derby car this year. So far we have done better than we should have. He seems to have the touch when it comes to driving. It was fun to watch him win the last award. It was 50 inches tall and he is only 51 inches tall. He had to carry it out himself. When he is old enough I would like both of us to go to the Bonderant School and go out and have fun while he learns. Who know it may just save his life. Too many people today lack the basic driving skills. The electronics controls today have dumb down the new drivers. I always wanted a SHO engine in some kind of a kit car. Something light and that handeled well. The Shogun Fords were a neat ride. Leno has the only one I know of around yet.

18" Michelin Pilots. Not the good ones either. They are ok in dry but in the wet they are trash. I ran 16 inch Triple Treads last winter on steel retro wheels I got at work cheap. The HHR was a tank and plowed throught everything. I was worried about the low nose but it would even push the snow in 7" or more. I never had any issues here in the snow belt with the SS. There are a lot of 09 SS around and you can get some good deals if you shop around. When I got mine the first dealer would only come off about $1500 and the next dealer came off $5K plus even when they were in demand. You should be able to get one now new for $20K-21K loaded. One with a few miles even less. Just look on the web at how many are around. With my tune I can run with a Mustang GT with no issues. It makes a great daily driver and a vehicle I still can haul things in.

Smaller and lighter is the way to go. Better MPG is important too in this car. Also the key is which one would fit into the future Pick up truck line better. V12 is a cool idea but not in todays market in a lower end sports car. When Pice is not an issue V12 when Cost and Price is an issue a shared V8 everytime. The lighter engine will provide better balance anyway. I would move some of the technology from the LNF turbo to this engine. If GM can get 145 HP per liter on the 2.0 liter LNF then imagine on a 6 liter V8.

Most parts of the country any of the late 60's early 70's A bodys are not cheap. I have found rusted restorable Chevelles and Cutlasses for $8K-15K as the norm. Once in a while you may find a bargin but they are becoming rare in a 2 door. By the time you do good paint and replace the interior and needed body panels often the price will reach $20K for a nice car. Often it is cheaper to buy a restored car. the days of a $2,000 Chevelle are over unless it is a parts car. The cars that are affordable are the A bodys from the late 70's-late 80's but parts are at times hard to find for the interiors on some. Also few people under 30 years old really care for them. The Malibu makes for a good race car and the Grans Am was a nice looking car but hard to find today. As for 305 performance parts.... they are everywhere. They are small block Chevy and take all the same parts. Most people do not bother with the 305 when there are plenty of 350's to build. Cubic inches are cheap HP. That 45 CID is just too easy not to pass up. As for the present gen being shallow.... It is just different times. Most young people today have short attention spans and a lot more things to take their attention. It is a electronic world today. Facebook, Playstation and I phone give them power to do things in life not on the street. These things have rendered the car to the point it is just a way to get from point A to B for most. It is tough times in the performance industry with Goverment regs, Economy and Changing Interest.

FWD vs RWD is like Apple vs a regular PC. Both are good in their own ways and neither are bad just a little different One is more user friendly but the other is more capable in extreem performance conditiond. For every day use bot perform similar to most buyers expectations. Brakes.. can leave home with out them. Todays systems are very good on both FWD and RWD. My Comp G GTP on Goodyear triple treds is to the most not a real fun car in winter with the traction aids as it goes through anything with little drama. Same for the HHR SS. The Bosch system on the GTP is one amazing and balanced brakes system and is the best I have seen on an average American car. Even under hard use of my wife we still saw near 65,000 miles wear on the pad. Front ans read wore even. THe electronic balancing system works very well. Now back on topic. To say GM will not have any performance models in the future is very ignorent as few if any here do not know what all GM is planning or going to do. In fact at this point I don't think GM knows all it plans to do yet since they are just now putting their plans together. They have a lot of programs to choose from. THey can start up or kill any in a few days time so right now they are making those choices.

The 305 HO was just a 305 with a better cam and intake for the most part and GM could not find a way to make more of them either for two years for Pontiac. I get the feeling it is not all that easy for some reason.

I can see by some comments that many do not understand how bad things are in Russia. Organized crime is worse in Russia now than it ever was in The States or Italy. At least in Italy they had some standards. China is state run crime not unlike what we have here only with much more control. Our ethics are bad theirs are much worse. GM is smart not to give away the technology or the chance to buy back Opel. This unit is right now a major part of their back bone and future product so why give it all away? The people in this country had better wake up as many inside and outside out country are bent to see us fail and will stand at nothing to do it. China right now is working hard now to control the Panama Canal but you do not hear anything about that on the news. They already contol much of our ports as it is. Communist have found the way to control the world is through controled capitalisam and not bombs. If it takes time GM needs to do what is best for GM and not just rush into a bunch of changes all at one time and not read through all the information and details on the deal. We have enought of that going on in our own country right now we do not need it backfiring on GM after we just bailed them out.

I make my living in the performance aftermarket. Kids today can not afford the old cars, some show a interest in mostly in 80's and 90's Mustangs since they are cheap. As for the Import cars they took off strong for a while but now import performance parts sales are not what they used to be. We already have killed our Import catalog and incoperated it into the regular lines we sell. Others have done the same as grow in this market has slowed. Most of the buyers we got were wanting dress up items and only a few wanted go fast parts. Most did not have the ability to tune their own cars anyway nor afford to do it right in many cases. No stero type here. I wish they would take a better interest as our customer base is getting older. We have a group now that pleads for us to take a kid to a car show. Why because the lack of interest in the young today. I even see it in my sons grade school buddies. We were all about Hot Wheels and car toys gowing up but now the Hot Wheels collect dust as the Playstation gets a work out. The car games are mine. Kids today are into more tech and electronics. My son would take a cell phone before a go cart. We still have people who represent all groups but the numbers in those groups have changed.

RWD has its market and should be offered but one can not nor should expect it to be the dominate car. Average Joe public is just not that interested. I could see if offered in large and smaller sizes along with cheaper it could account for 1/4 of market. But most people are content with FWD and in most smaller cars they will take the incease in interior room over performance.

I game for this. I love this car. This is the Image of a real Euro car GM could sell vs the fake sticker and blacked out trim crap they have tried to pass off as Euro styling for years. I still cring when I think how my Mom and Dad both has two new Eurosports in one year.

I would guess it has to do maybe with availability? GM is changing over many engines to DI and the 3.6 is used in many cars. They may just have the 3.0 to fill in for a while till a new or improved engine is avaiable. I have seen them do this in the past. The Pontiac 2+2 was a performance GP for Pontiac but GM did not have enough 305 HO's to share it with the 2+2 or so they claimed. The OHC Opel engine was originally what Pontiac wanted in the Fiero but they only got the Iron Duke per GM did not have enough to supply the Fiero. Just a guess. THe 2.4 and 2.0 Turbo will be for the people who want mileage and if the gas spikes again. Better to have it then need it and not have it. I suspect the 2.4 will be tuned for MPG.

People in general do not want to shift. For the most part many just do not even know how or care to do it. Lazy, can't dial the phone, text or what have you. The fact is most people can't drive anyway even with out a standard let alone drive with one. Thew fact is we will see more 6,7,8 speed cars that will get as good or as near as good mileage. Standards will be for the cheapest of the cheap cars or sports models. There is not going to be any great return of the manual shift. I saw the numbers a couple years ago and they predicted drops in production of them for the the future. They already have been at 6-7% and dropping. Just look at the sports cars today When did you ever think you would see a Ferrari that did not have a gated shifter other than the odd rare automatic 400 the made? If companies like Ferrari are going semi auto how long will the clutch last pedal Last? When I grew up we all wanted fast V8 cars, RWD and 4 speeds. Todays kids wand LCD screens and speakers. they could care less how fast it is anymore. The performance market is getting older in age. I see it every day at work and the events we work with and sponsor.

Not saying that the cars you like are bad cars but if they were GM sold they would have been gone long ago. They have to sell what makes money and sells in volume. Large V8 coupes and sedans are just not what the market want in volume anymore. It is not GM's fault it is the maket. Just like standard shift. If more people wanted them than the 6% that do we would see more. The reason GM makes cars is to make money and that is what they are doing with the new car they have. I wish we had more fun cars too but they need to pay the bills.

That is my thought. In a race car the holes are not always sealed as well as they should be. Most cars should have pretty sealed boots but I have seent burn thorgh. THe HHR is just a cable and few ways to get inside in a fire like this. With his blind spots and not looking back he probably did not know how bad it looked.

I think the engine stopping and the oil under the tires had him holding on enough he was not looking in the mirror much. At that point it more about where you are going than what is behind you. Either way he did a good job getting off track and not looping it. He drove