actually, the 5.3 and 6.2 share the same stroke and probably the same rods. Only the bore size, pistons, rings, camshaft, and port size would be different.

The 5.3 is making 315hp@5200 & 338tq@4400 (326hp/350tq on E85) with old cathedral port heads, truck intake, and 9.9:1 CR. Swap to shrunk down square port heads with smaller combustion chambers (bumping CR up to at least 10.5), matching intake, and a new camshaft, then you would easily have a 350hp engine.

But then again, a 5L DI engine would probably make similar horsepower while greatly improving fuel economy.

 

I've said for a while that GM should build a base model v8 Camaro. Nope, lets just build a car many people can't/won't spring for and doom the car from the start.

 

That must be why they can't sell them. And you guys know that Ford's new 5.0 is around 400hp? 325hp has no place in these cars if GM wants to win the new muscle car wars.

You say they wont "spring" for the ls3/l99, but the production costs would be very, very close between them and a retuned for the Camaro 5.3. These arnt cheap cars, the new DOHC 5.0 GT is going to creep up in price right next to the Camaro and Challenger. This is a new era of horsepower wars, if you cant afford the v8, GM gave you a nice, cheap, powerful v6 that is laying down mid 14's already, and i bet with a few bolt on and gears will be a solid high 13s car for low $20ks new.

 

Chevy's base car IS the SS. The base cars just cost a sh*t load more than then did at the beginning of the decade. It's unfortunate, too. Ford's base Mustang v8, the GT, is exactly the same way.

Sucks that someone could get a bare bones z28 in 2000 for the same price as a bare bones 5th gen v6. That's the way it is though. Blame inflation, the economy, the weak dollar, or whatever.

 

When you look at average inflation rates, the 5th isnt that bad. Especially when you factor in what you get in it performance and comfort wise. I mean lets face it, you can now get close to lt1 performance, 29mpg, great ride, great looks, great comfort for under $23k.

 

It is't the 1960s anymore.. or the 1990s. No good business case can be made for having eight different or even four different engine combos available in the Camaro.

The 5th Gen V6 is comparable in performance to the 4th Gen V8 when it first appeared. And we want more? Wow.