check this out:
http://www.auto-report.net/index.html?gmpt05.html

3 valve 3900 V6 will have 270HP

Better Gen IV V8s coming out too.
"The 3-valve is a way in the future," Hayman told Wards Auto World. "There are some surprises in store for the 2-valve (small-block V-8). And we're not talking about 10 or 15 hp. Our goal is to remain the leader in truck powertrains."

 

This is the part that got me:
For those of you that may need this explained more simply, the LT1 350/5.7 put out 285hp (275 before 1996) and 325 lbs/ft of torque!

Won't be long before the 5.3 is putting out the power of the last LS1s.

 

Yea, but its still a drop in performance from the current 5.3. I know that we're not going to even know the difference, but its still kind of disheartening.

 

That's good news however, I think they are referring to Truck motors only and that any car applications woult be tweaked with lower torque ratings.

I'm not sure how any of this would impact the car side of the business. Can anyone explain?

 

It sounds to me like by the time the next Silverado is out the 5.3L will has more power than the Ford 3v and Nissan V8s. That is great news, The 290HP 5.3L will probably be just for the TB and Envoy, They are already class leading as it is (aside from the Hemi in the 04 Darango).

I think the Best news is the 3 valve 3.9L V6 putting out 270HP
Maybe that could be the 5th Gen RS engine and the 2v 3.9L be the base.

 

The 5.3 is going into the 2005 Impala SS.

Nope, it won't be RWD.

 

woohoo! NOW we get a decent V6 in the GM engine lineup (if this is true). that would make this "high-value" V6 more powerful the the "high feature" 3.6L. the hp/liter is still in favor of the 3.6 tho. which is fine. the 3.9 with 270hp would be more than respectible.

 

Is that confirmed?

 

I'd guess that the 3 valve 5.3L will come out in the 2006 Silverado, at the same time the 3 valve 6.4L comes out for the next Z06.

I guess there is not need for a 4.2L I6 Camaro now that we have a 270HP pushrod V6 in the pipeline

 

me thinks the HP of the 3.6L will be upped then too--just to protect its prestige of have the DOHC.

 

Interesting perspective. I'm sure the 3900 will be cheaper to manufacture and have better packaging characteristics too.

 

the 4.2L I6 was never meant as a car engine, was it? i thought it was going to stay on the truck side.

 

You are correct, it was only meant for trucks. But a lot of people wanted it for a base Camaro engine, but due to packaging issues a lot of people said the 270HP I6 could never go into a car. Same goes for the 260HP 3.6L DOHC V6, many say it is too expensive for a base Camaro.