3.0 Camaro?

Eric77TA
10-30-2008, 02:48 PM
Now that stories are popping up about the new 3.0 HF v6 for the 2010 Buick LaCrosse and the new Equinox, what are the chances of this engine showing up as a new Camaro base (maybe LS only?) engine in the future?

They're saying 250 horsepower, but didn't give a torque figure. It seems possible to me that this might make a better "base" engine than the LNF 2.0 Turbo as chances are it has a better torque curve for a heavy car.

2010_5thgen
10-30-2008, 03:19 PM
that would be a good base engine. it would then be able to lower the cost of the base model.

Z284ever
10-30-2008, 03:22 PM
that would be a good base engine. it would then be able to lower the cost of the base model.

Whether it would/would not make a good base engine is one thing, but why do you think it would be less expensive than the 3.6?

DAKMOR
10-30-2008, 03:25 PM
NO.! Horrible! It would never have the same torque capabilities as the LTT. )?(

The car will still weigh in at 3800 lbs! Do you want worse gas mileage to save a few hundred dollars off the price of the car?

Dragoneye
10-30-2008, 03:45 PM
NO.! Horrible! It would never have the same torque capabilities as the LTT. )?(

The car will still weigh in at 3800 lbs! Do you want worse gas mileage to save a few hundred dollars off the price of the car? ?

I agree that this shouldn't REPLACE the current base V6, but rather become a new, lower-level model. Orrr....thinking on the spot, here...what if this engine was put in the LS, and the 3.6L engine became only available in LT trims?

This engine would have better gas mileage than the LLT, weight be damned at this point -- it is what it is. Being that it's not turboed, a 250-horse 3.0L V6 with the same technology as the LLT, coupled with proper gearing and fuel mapping could potentially return 29, and even so far as 30mpg hwy at the deliberate loss of some performance. But 30mpg seems to be the magic number in consumers eyes - so if they could reach that number with this engine, then it would definitely be worth it, imo.

Z28Wilson
10-30-2008, 03:53 PM
No point in the Camaro unless it gets significantly better mileage. Otherwise it would just be a step backward for the car. Also, by the time this 3.0 debuts, the Mustang's base V6 should also be in 300 HP territory.

skorpion317
10-30-2008, 03:59 PM
that would be a good base engine. it would then be able to lower the cost of the base model.

Let's see if this makes any sense.

The base Camaro LS comes with the 300 HP 3.6L DI V6. The car is pretty well-equipped with standard features for a base model car, and especially so starting at $22K.

Downgrading the Camaro LS to the 3.0L to save a few bucks (assuming the 3.0L costs less to produce than the 3.6L) would be pretty stupid. The difference in retail prices would be, at most, about $1000. Nevermind that you should never downgrade a vehicle - it should get better over time.

DAKMOR
10-30-2008, 04:00 PM
No point in the Camaro unless it gets significantly better mileage. Otherwise it would just be a step backward for the car. Also, by the time this 3.0 debuts, the Mustang's base V8 should also be in 300 HP territory.

fixed.

And why go to a smaller displacement engine ? it's a v6, its a economical engine already, nothing short of expensive equipment and material will give it more fuel economy.

Which is the opposite ofr the V8 argument.

Z28Wilson
10-30-2008, 04:28 PM
fixed.

Why? Camaro's base V6 has upped the ante. The next Mustang will adjust accordingly.

Eric77TA
10-30-2008, 05:46 PM
If the potential 3.0 doesn't get better mileage than the 3.6, then why bother with even creating a 3.0 verison? Just put the 3.6 in everything.

Judging by the fact that they are putting the 3.0 in the Equinox, and likely making it the base engine in the Cadillac SRX (according to what GMI are reporting) I'd assume it gets better mileage than the 3.6 in vehicles of equal weight.

I'll be curious to see what the torque figures are.

I wasn't figuring on this engine replacing the 3.6, but as a possible mileage leader - remember that even though gas prices are falling (for now) there are still upcoming CAFE increases to be met.

If it were to show up, I'd expect it to be the standard engine on LS and nothing else. They could keep the 3.6 standard on LT and perhaps optional on LS.

HAZ-Matt
10-30-2008, 06:01 PM
Maybe if it was a turbo 3.0L more people would want it in the Camaro ;)

But I agree it doesn't make sense to have another V6 that will probably not save much money (or actually increase production costs) and probably won't affect fuel economy much.

Eric77TA
10-30-2008, 07:14 PM
Maybe if it was a turbo 3.0L more people would want it in the Camaro ;)

But I agree it doesn't make sense to have another V6 that will probably not save much money (or actually increase production costs) and probably won't affect fuel economy much.

How does another V6 increase production costs if it's in another car line?

Why create a 3.0, which costs money, for the new Equinox and SRX when the 3.6 already exists? The 3.6 is a gas hog in the Vue, so I'm guessing they're figuring on some MPG savings in those vehicles.

Then why was the turbo 4 being examined? Last I heard, it was dismissed because the car was too heavy, but a V6 could eliminate some of the problems if there was enough torque.

There have been lots of discussions on here about smaller displacement V6s and 4s over the last couple of years.

Now that the car is here and gas is under $2.00 a gallon (which someone will probably argue it's not, even though it is here right now) again, I guess no one cares. But as those CAFE standards creep up, a couple of MPGs is going to be more significant to those numbers than you might think.

Doesn't really matter. I wasn't saying I was for it or against it, but if they were looking at 4 cylinders a while back, you don't think there's any concern about the car's fuel economy in the long run? It's decent, but not stellar.

2010_5thgen
10-31-2008, 08:32 AM
Let's see if this makes any sense.

The base Camaro LS comes with the 300 HP 3.6L DI V6. The car is pretty well-equipped with standard features for a base model car, and especially so starting at $22K.

Downgrading the Camaro LS to the 3.0L to save a few bucks (assuming the 3.0L costs less to produce than the 3.6L) would be pretty stupid. The difference in retail prices would be, at most, about $1000. Nevermind that you should never downgrade a vehicle - it should get better over time.

wow! chill out bro. someone needs to get laid.
all i said was it would make it cheaper for a base model. and as far as getting better with time doesnt have anything to do with it. theres alot of mpg requirements now and as far as i would be concerned if there were a 4 cylinder turbo like they were thinking, i think that would be a down grade.
i was just making a point it would be cheaper for someone looking for a more fuel efficient less powerful camaro. i wouldnt buy it but maybe someone would. and 1,000 dollars less...i dont think so. maybe if you could somehow mate it up to the 3.6 tranny and it could use some of the components.

but damn settle down.

skorpion317
10-31-2008, 11:29 AM
wow! chill out bro. someone needs to get laid.
all i said was it would make it cheaper for a base model. and as far as getting better with time doesnt have anything to do with it. theres alot of mpg requirements now and as far as i would be concerned if there were a 4 cylinder turbo like they were thinking, i think that would be a down grade.
i was just making a point it would be cheaper for someone looking for a more fuel efficient less powerful camaro. i wouldnt buy it but maybe someone would. and 1,000 dollars less...i dont think so. maybe if you could somehow mate it up to the 3.6 tranny and it could use some of the components.

but damn settle down.

You're taking it more seriously than you need to. I'm not attacking you in any way, just pointing out that it doesn't make sense to downgrade a vehicle to save a relatively small amount of money.

JeremyNYR
10-31-2008, 11:44 AM
agreed... telling someone "they need to get laid" because you misinterpereted their mood at the time of posting is unneccesary. I didn't get the impression that Skorpion was getting bent out of shape at all. It really doesn't make much financial sense to add a 3rd engine to the Camaro lineup (or replace an existing engine) unless it truely increases sales to do so.

Eric77TA
10-31-2008, 12:19 PM
It really doesn't make much financial sense to add a 3rd engine to the Camaro lineup (or replace an existing engine) unless it truely increases sales to do so.

But what about if it increases CAFE? That's what I wonder about more than sales.

Remember, they have to realize a 25 percent improvement from 2011-2015.

Reports have indicated that a RWD Impala was killed over a 1 mpg difference over continuing with FWD.

If GM added an engine to the Camaro that could increase highway mileage to 30, it could have an impact - and would also let them add Camaro to their "Chevy cars that get more than 30 MPG" schtick.

If they did this, I wouldn't view it so much as a "downgrade" but the inclusion of an additional engine.

The Malibu LTZ and Saturn Aura XR (the top of the line models) received 2.4/6 Speed powertrains as standard for 2009 whereas they used to have a standard 3.6. This increased their fuel economy and cut their prices a little.

The Saturn Vue XR now comes standard with a 2.4 and 4 speed whereas it used to have a standard 3.6. It's $1,100 cheaper, but I'm sure a 3.6 is much more expensive than an Ecotec.

Nonetheless, GM has definitely been adding new base engines with better fuel economy.

2010_5thgen
10-31-2008, 03:13 PM
agreed... telling someone "they need to get laid" because you misinterpereted their mood at the time of posting is unneccesary. I didn't get the impression that Skorpion was getting bent out of shape at all. It really doesn't make much financial sense to add a 3rd engine to the Camaro lineup (or replace an existing engine) unless it truely increases sales to do so.

so your admiting it doesnt make any sense to bring in any other motor options?
so like an ls9 or even a turbo 4 cylinder like they are working on?

2010_5thgen
10-31-2008, 03:16 PM
But what about if it increases CAFE? That's what I wonder about more than sales.

Remember, they have to realize a 25 percent improvement from 2011-2015.

Reports have indicated that a RWD Impala was killed over a 1 mpg difference over continuing with FWD.

If GM added an engine to the Camaro that could increase highway mileage to 30, it could have an impact - and would also let them add Camaro to their "Chevy cars that get more than 30 MPG" schtick.

If they did this, I wouldn't view it so much as a "downgrade" but the inclusion of an additional engine.

The Malibu LTZ and Saturn Aura XR (the top of the line models) received 2.4/6 Speed powertrains as standard for 2009 whereas they used to have a standard 3.6. This increased their fuel economy and cut their prices a little.

The Saturn Vue XR now comes standard with a 2.4 and 4 speed whereas it used to have a standard 3.6. It's $1,100 cheaper, but I'm sure a 3.6 is much more expensive than an Ecotec.

Nonetheless, GM has definitely been adding new base engines with better fuel economy.
thats exactly what im saying. the more options you have for people it lets them get what they want. sure maybe not alot may want it for "power" reasons but it may be more practical to some people. and yeah it would make sense especially if they can get 30+mpg out of it and they could sell thousands and then it would be more acceptable for them to make the ls9 powered camaro to achieve the need MPG for CAFE'

2010_5thgen
10-31-2008, 03:17 PM
agreed... telling someone "they need to get laid" because you misinterpereted their mood at the time of posting is unneccesary. I didn't get the impression that Skorpion was getting bent out of shape at all. It really doesn't make much financial sense to add a 3rd engine to the Camaro lineup (or replace an existing engine) unless it truely increases sales to do so.

oh my god! chill out and get a damn sense of humor. my god some of you guys are so damn uptight.

HAZ-Matt
10-31-2008, 03:36 PM
How does another V6 increase production costs if it's in another car line?

Why create a 3.0, which costs money, for the new Equinox and SRX when the 3.6 already exists? The 3.6 is a gas hog in the Vue, so I'm guessing they're figuring on some MPG savings in those vehicles.
It would have to be certified in Camaro which costs money. Then you have to add a few dollars for the ability to put that motor into the Camaro and for the miscellaneous little parts that have to be changed between the 3.6L and the 3.0L.

I don't doubt that it would return some extra fuel economy, but I am skeptical about the amount. Probably 1 mpg at most. And remember that the Camaro's more upscale position is probably part of the driving force behind a base motor that makes 300HP.

I have a feeling that the 3.0L in the Equinox has more to do with the age of the 3.4L than simply getting better fuel economy than the 3.6L which is only available in the sport package right now. The 3.4L makes 17/24 mpg and the 3.6L is identical in FWD and only loses 1 mpg city in AWD config, although the 3.6L has the advantage of an extra gear right now. The 3.0L and whatever 4 cylinder that will be in the 2010 will both supposedly come with the 6 speed.

The last thing to remember is that the 3.6L's in the cars you are talking about are not the DI motors anyway. The 3.6L DI was Caddy exclusive, but it will still likely stay exclusive to certain lines and not proliferate to every vehicle very soon. I don't know the full specs of that 3.0L but if it makes 250Hp that is about what the non DI 3.6L makes and so I wonder if the 3.0L will simply replace the non DI 3.6L in most of those models.