Well we know the '05 GTO will be getting hood scoops and Quad exhust, what other changes are planned?

What is the latest word on the LS2?

 

That's all I know of right now.

Last I heard the LS2 comes in January.

 

Recessed grill hopefully. Looks really good.

 

Is that the start of the '05 model year? Will they still make some '05s with the LS1 up until Jan.05?

 

On a side note, I saw my first GTO on the street yesterday and I was able to pick it out about half a mile away. I didnt confuse it with a Grand Am/Prix for a second, maybe it's just me though.

 

Well, the only thing they've known for a while is that there are multiple test mule monaros with LS2s in them parading around australia stomping grounds. As far as being in 2005 everyone was split down the middle. We had the first camp (I was kind of in this one) where people thought since the corvette has always had new engines first. L98, LT1, LS1, LS6. It would be the most likely candidate for the first ls2 run. Then there are those who think it will just be a 400hp tire smoking ls2 in it (which I also think has a good chance.) As far as hood scoops/spoiler hopefully they are optional... just in case.

 

if they were to put the LS2 in the gto, you think it would tuned down some?

 

I would imagine..........GM isn't likely to start a pissing match involving the Corvette.

 

385hp Ram Air anyone?

 

I dont think so. The current GTO has the same hp rating as the base vette.

With the GTO's size, suspension and tires, theres no way it will come close to being a threat to the Vette.

 

Good point. I drove the new GTO at GM's Auto Show in Motion when they were here in Tampa recently and I thought it handled very well compared to my Z-28. It could use a little more tire, but even then, I doubt it'll be a serious threat to a C6 in the twisties.

 

Also, by all accounts the LS2 that's in the C6 vette its first year is well underrated at 400hp. Which means that all GM need to do to deal with "image" issues is bump up the official rating on the 'Vette to make everyone happy.

 

The whole pissing contest thing with the vette doesnt really matter. The Monaro is made in a different land, and there is no Vette to fight with, so remember that. If the Monaro gets the Gen IV motor, you bet that the LS2 will come to the GTO.
If the GTO doesnt get the LS2, chances are that they will use up left over LS6 heads and cams and make a small percentage of GTO's into a performance model. Out of the 18k a year, you will probably see like 3-4k of them with LS6 heads and cam.
And the LS2 is right now rated at 400hp so not to upset the Z06 owners right now. The LS2 has more cubes, higher CR, better flowing heads, larger cam, better flowing intake and exhaust, and better engine managment... no way its only got 400hp. This is the same engine that was in the SS concept car and I think that the HP is more along the number of 420ish. The GTO still wont get that matching performance number, but a "389" hp LS2 has a nice ring to it.

 

For some reason I am thinking the GTO will have to wait till the C6 Z05 comes out to get the LS2. But a few other things effect the timing like LS1 production capacity, LS2 Production capacity, and the logictics of getting the LS2 to OZ. I know the engine is basically ready to go in the GTO...it is just a matter of getting the LS2 in production, getting it Austrailia, and getting the Corvette politics out the way.

 

Do you know something everyone else doesn't Branden?