Well our baby is almost here and my wife wants to trade in the Intrigue on a Pontiac Torrent. We've test drove a few and I really like the way they drive and handle and the sturcture is nice and tight but I really don't like the 3.4L engine. All of the ones we've test drove I popped the hood while the engine was running and the engines sound like a sewing machines with lots of clicking and ticking sounds and dances around like it needs a balance shaft. The 5-speed auto is the only saving grace for this rather weak V6.

I know the Torrent GXP is coming with the 3.6L, but I am sure they will be out of our budget when the first come out. I was hoping that all Torrents would be getting a new engines for '08. I would think the 200hp 3.5L would make a nice base engine instead of the POS chinese 3.4L.

 

Have you considered the HHR? It's not too much smaller than the Thetas, and it will get better mpg. I've been very surprised at how much crap I've been able to fit in mine. I like the interior design of the HHR more than the Equinox as well, but thats just my honest opinion. If you get the 2.4L, power isn't exactly breath taking, but it works well with the 4 speed auto and can move the vehicle adequetly. Very smooth powertrain and well matched to the larger Ecotec's powerband.

 

yes ther a sport model that have the 3.6 engine in 08. it was going to be call ss but change to sport. their also a hhr turbo coming it will have the 260hp turbo engine from the saturn skyredline

 

Personally, I think ute's shouldn't use cammer engine's. Given the weights of these things & how their likely to be used (loaded down) the high winding nature of these engine's don't serve them well. Back when the Torrent GXP was going to be the GT they were going to put the 3.9L in it. Which IMO was the better choice. But it all goes to the public perception that the more complex cammer engines are "superior"! For CERTAIN applications they are the better choice, but for others, you can't beat the simple & torquey pushrod engine! I do agree that the base models ought to be upgraded to using the 3.5L engine. It's just a shame that the 3.9L won't ever be used in it now. While it's down on HP compared to the 3.6, it's in it's ball park. And it makes close to the same torque, but @ a lower rpm. Therefore it would threaten GXP sales.

 

So maybe the GT should get the 3.9 and the 5.3 should be the GXP engine? I am liking that idea.

 

That sounds dangerous

 

I think you're confusing the Torrent w/the GP. I don't believe there's any way that you could shoehorn a V-8 into a Torrent w/o having to do major surgery 1st! Besides, I don't think the chassis could handle that much power! And they're not doing a Torrent GT now, it was changed to the upcoming GXP model.

 

There's this thing called "tuning"...

Lob GM a note about it.

Heck, maybe the 3.6L isn't all that gutless at lower revs. Test drive one and let us know when it does come out in the Torrent clones...

 

I wouldn't say there are to many chassis out there that the LSx engines can't fit into. And Theta IMO isn't one of them.


3.4 Equinox

3.4 Monte Carlo

5.3 LS4 Monte Carlo SS
Also remember both chassis are fitted w/ the 3.6 DOHC V6. The only possible problem would be with length, and given he above pictures I don't think that is the problem at all.

 

If it were that simple I'm sure G.M. would've already done it for the Lambda ute's. Then the auto writer's wouldn't be complaining about sweating bullets when they have to do an interstate merge!