Bye-Bye to GM's V-8s
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From: Springfield,OH. U.S.A.
Last year, Ford kicked off the light-duty diesel scramble when it said it would build a diesel F-150 in the not-too-distant future. Now GM has joined the fray, with plans to shoehorn a 4.5-liter diesel V-8 under the hoods of the Hummer H2 and light-duty 1500 versions of the GMC Sierra and Chevy Silverado. Expect them to arrive around 2010.
With space constraints dictated by its current lineup of pushrod gasoline engines, GM had to fit a square peg into a round hole, so to speak. The Duramax turbo-diesel sports a few space-saving tricks — among them exhaust portals that exit into the center of the "V," not to the outside, as normally happens. The General says the engine will produce more than 310 hp and 520 pounds-feet of torque. Compare that to the chestiest gas V-8 in the Sierra 1500, which makes 400 hp and 415 pounds-feet of torque. Towing capacity will likely increase measurably over the Silverado and Sierra’s 10,500-pound maximum.
With decreased carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, GM expects the Duramax to meet stringent emissions standards in all 50 states. Fuel efficiency should be up 25 percent versus a comparable gasoline engine, GM powertrain spokesman Tom Read said. We couldn't find a gasoline V-8 in GM's truck lineup that makes anywhere near 520 pounds-feet of torque, though, so we can't predict any mpg.
Source: GM
With space constraints dictated by its current lineup of pushrod gasoline engines, GM had to fit a square peg into a round hole, so to speak. The Duramax turbo-diesel sports a few space-saving tricks — among them exhaust portals that exit into the center of the "V," not to the outside, as normally happens. The General says the engine will produce more than 310 hp and 520 pounds-feet of torque. Compare that to the chestiest gas V-8 in the Sierra 1500, which makes 400 hp and 415 pounds-feet of torque. Towing capacity will likely increase measurably over the Silverado and Sierra’s 10,500-pound maximum.
With decreased carbon dioxide and nitrogen oxide emissions, GM expects the Duramax to meet stringent emissions standards in all 50 states. Fuel efficiency should be up 25 percent versus a comparable gasoline engine, GM powertrain spokesman Tom Read said. We couldn't find a gasoline V-8 in GM's truck lineup that makes anywhere near 520 pounds-feet of torque, though, so we can't predict any mpg.
Source: GM
VM Motori diesels (produces four-cylinder diesels from 140 to 160 hp)
Last edited by 90rocz; Jan 18, 2008 at 06:48 AM.
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Joined: Apr 2006
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From: arizona
The thing is a lot of V-6's don't seem to get much better gas mileage than the V-8s. I also don't see the likes of BMW or Mercedes talking about dropping V-8's. It's sad, because V-6
s don't feel the same, but all you have to do is look at the current Motor Trend where they test the Malibu, Accord, Camry and Altima, and they mention that they're all faster than the sports cars they test 20 years ago, including the IROC and testarossa! 6.4 seconds to 60 in a V-6 sedan!
s don't feel the same, but all you have to do is look at the current Motor Trend where they test the Malibu, Accord, Camry and Altima, and they mention that they're all faster than the sports cars they test 20 years ago, including the IROC and testarossa! 6.4 seconds to 60 in a V-6 sedan!
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Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 213
From: Cleveland, OH
The thing is a lot of V-6's don't seem to get much better gas mileage than the V-8s. I also don't see the likes of BMW or Mercedes talking about dropping V-8's. It's sad, because V-6
s don't feel the same, but all you have to do is look at the current Motor Trend where they test the Malibu, Accord, Camry and Altima, and they mention that they're all faster than the sports cars they test 20 years ago, including the IROC and testarossa! 6.4 seconds to 60 in a V-6 sedan!
s don't feel the same, but all you have to do is look at the current Motor Trend where they test the Malibu, Accord, Camry and Altima, and they mention that they're all faster than the sports cars they test 20 years ago, including the IROC and testarossa! 6.4 seconds to 60 in a V-6 sedan!
Generally speaking, modern V6 engines really do provide better performance than V8s of 20 years ago...... Case in point:
A 1984 Chevy Camaro Z28 5.0 4bbl Carb (with the 4 speed stick) had a 0-60 time of just under 8 seconds. The 2008 Malibu with the 3.6 VVT and 6 speed AUTOMATIC has a 0-60 of a hair over 6 seconds.
Yes, a modern Malibu sedan would embarass someone driving a mid-80's Camaro Z28. But it's not just the engine technology..... modern cars have better aerodynamics, since there's less wind resistance more of the car's available power is used to actually propell the car instead of pushing and fighting the air. Modern cars have larger diameter tires with lighter weight rims, lighter suspension components, and while the gross weight of the car may be about the same with airbags and all sorts of modern electronic toys that just weren't fathomable 20 years ago, the unsprung weight has been reduced substantially and that DOES make a difference.
BMW and Mercedes aren't going to stop making V8s because their clientelle will pay for those cars no matter what gas costs and no matter what they charge for them. They may add a CAFE fee to them like the gas guzzler tax. But rest assured, the day Mercedes quits making a V8 for the S-Class is the day they quit making cars period.
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Joined: Mar 2002
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From: Yelm, Wa USA
No way GM is going to produce a Corvette wtih a v6 under its hood as a standard, All The corvette guys & us we leave GM & it will be the death of them.
Plus the trucks, Tehy have many trucks that have a V8 in them.
Plus the trucks, Tehy have many trucks that have a V8 in them.
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Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Raleigh, NC
I’m more a sports car guy who wants a back seat than a muscle car guy, so I may be in a pretty small minority. But give the choice between an L76 and a 3.0-3.2L twin turbo DI v6 that made similar power, I would take the v6. I think the v6 would offer lighter weight, better mileage and a power curve that would probably make the six-speed more interesting.
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From: Raleigh, NC
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From: Richmond, VA
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Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 90
From: Phoenix
"The ubiquitous V-8 engine under the hood of full-size SUVs and big cars could go the way of the eight-track tape deck in a modern world where fuel-efficiency and emissions standards are redefining the cars and trucks of tomorrow."
I agree with gripenfelter theres no possible way that you could have sports cars or trucks with all V-6's, its just impossible, people would refuse to buy sports cars because they dont get that sense of speed that you get with a V-8.
if they were gonna have V-6's in sports cars then they still better find a way to have them get up to 500 hp
I agree with gripenfelter theres no possible way that you could have sports cars or trucks with all V-6's, its just impossible, people would refuse to buy sports cars because they dont get that sense of speed that you get with a V-8.
if they were gonna have V-6's in sports cars then they still better find a way to have them get up to 500 hp
Last edited by Tkc23; Jan 20, 2008 at 12:33 PM. Reason: spelling
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I'm perfectly fine with V-6 sports cars....the VQ engines that nissan makes are great and they have a very interesting rasp to them. It's not a v-8 rumble, but they sound nice. Look up some youtube videos of people that have twin turbo'd their Z cars. They're pretty awesome, and they hold the boost really well.
For the camaro? No. It doesn't fit. Make a new sports coupe and use a 6. Camaro can stick around for this current generation and then they can decide what to do with it. I'd like it to be downsized for the next generation, lose 500 pounds, and come with some kind of downsized smallblock v-8. less than 5 liters, high compression ratio/rev limit...still a pony car but no longer a muscle car.
For the camaro? No. It doesn't fit. Make a new sports coupe and use a 6. Camaro can stick around for this current generation and then they can decide what to do with it. I'd like it to be downsized for the next generation, lose 500 pounds, and come with some kind of downsized smallblock v-8. less than 5 liters, high compression ratio/rev limit...still a pony car but no longer a muscle car.
