We've been assuming that the base V8 for the 5th gen would be a 310hp 5.3L....but should it be?

Mustang's base V8 will be an underrated (by about 10%) 300hp 4.6, and the LX cars base V8 will be the 340 hp 5.7 Hemi.

Maybe it makes more sense to have a mildly tuned 6.0L motor ....of, oh say, 350 hp.....as the "intermediate" engine, than a more highly tuned version of the 5.3. The issue has been raised that Zeta's AWD system is more compatible to the 5.3's torque rating,compared to larger and torquier powerplants. A fair point, and the answer is torque management.

The SC W-cars are heavily torque managed. Depending on year and model.....20%-30% of torque is restricted off the line. Expect the V8 W-car versions to torque manage even further. Torque management would also let you get by with some base V6 drivetrain components on the RWD Zeta coupes as well....for the base V8 versions.

A 6.0 base V8 would probably also simplify production....and it would cost no more to manufacture, than the 5.3. It's mild state of tune would allow the use of 87 octane fuel (just like the Hemi and Mustang 4.6)...but still deliver the goods necessary the have "best in class" power.


But what will compete with the 425 hp 6.1 Hemi and HiPo Ford engines? That's the topic of a future thread.

 

Who ever came up with this 5.3L bull****???? It will have a 6.0 or whatever big engine is out at the time. I don't think they would downgrade? It has always been matched really with the Vette's base engine.

 

A couple of things here......

We're talking "intermediate" V8 here, as in BASE V8, not the top powerplant.

And, what makes you so sure that Corvette will still have a 6.0 liter as base engine by the time we see a Camaro....for Camaro to share?

 

It's true. The 5.3 currently is the powerplant planned as the Zeta V8, except for higher performance versions. The 5.3 would perform on par with the last LS1 V8s, and have marginally higher fuel economy.

Why?

1. The 5.3 will be the V8 1st certified for crash & cooling testing. GM is going to spread the costs out instead of paying for everything at once, a reasonable if frustrating approach.

2. The AWD system can't handle that much torque. Car makers add in a safety cushion in all their engineering for those customers who do something they feel is reasonable, but to the knowing is a really bonehead act. Example, GM puts a 6.0L 400+ horse and torque V8 in front of an AWD system. Then some dummy goes and puts bigger stickier tires on the thing. Wrecks the AWD system, tries to get it fixed under warranty, cops an attiude when he's rejected, and from then on he's sprouting off that GM makes crapy cars. God forbid if they put a manual transmission in the deal. (if you think that's silly, then look at the gripes over the F-body's "glass" rear end).

3. The 6.0L is going to be a "special" engine for top performing cars. There's always going to be the whining contengent that feels that if a car maker has a nuclear reactor, they should put it under the hood of every car, incuding base models. But the market (including not just Cobra buyers, but you guys buying SSs & WS6s over low cost Z28s and Formula Firebirds) has shown a definite eagerness to pay extra for extra performance. Cobra, Camaro SS, and WS6 sales were strong. GM's going to capitalize on it just like Ford has, by offering a high end model that is more apart performance-wise than the standard performance model. This means if you want a 6.0, then you are going to pay extra for it.

It's going to suck for alot of you more "emotional" budget performance fans (base $23,000 Z28s sold poorly), it's going to be great for you SS fans (who kept that level selling strongly), and ALL future F-body fans will win.

The 5.3 will still almost certainly beat the new Mustang GT as well as 4th gen LS1s, and the 6.0 is likely to also outrun all but the next SVT Mustang (it might not be called "Cobra").

So if you want the 6.0 in your next F-body when it comes out, then quit yer whining & simply buy it.

 

And if the 6.0 is not the ultimate in F-car performance????........

 

Isn't the next SVT Mustang going to be named after that old guy from Texas that's famous for his chili?
It might not be at first, but then 12-18 months down the road....

 

We talking affordable, or 40+ grand here?

Sounds like you know what I know.

 

I'd say affordable.

 

Ok first off I’m ganna bring up the Mustang GT comparison. The Camaro always had more power, but didn’t out sell it.

How would using the 5.3L be down grading if it makes roughly the same amount of power? Plus power is only one factor of many on how a car accelerates. I really doubt Gm will let the Camaro get out powered by the competition. How they do it isn’t as important to me as an enthusiast as long as its done.

I would rather see many different trim levels come out over the first few years of production to keep everyone interested. Every time a new trim level comes out the magazines are ganna test it and the public will see it.

First year: A high out put V6 (lets say 250hp) base car to kick things off. Think G35 Sport Coupe.

Second Year: Come out with a SS with a 5.3L (around 300 + hp) and all sorts of luxury items and crap. Second year is also a good time to release a convertible.

Third Year: By this time the engineering on a payment melting Z28 should be ready to go into production. 400+ hp

Fourth Year: Now this would be the time to use a 6.0L base V8 with less hp than the Z28 as a “Special Edition” Camaro. I dunno what to call it. But think about all the attention the Mach 1s and Bullets get. No, they may not be the fastest Mustangs out there but they give Brand Identity and choices for the consumer.

People like choices; we as enthusiast of course want the biggest highest hp producing Camaros out there. But we make about 1% of the buying public. If Gm releases different trims like my example it will keep people interested. When people are interested and have choices cars sell. Simple as that.

If you want the biggest meanest motor out there, just wait and buy the Z28.

 

No jg....I mean B_E_Y_O_N_D 6.0.

 

'nuff said

 

6.0!

 

It'll be well past 2007 before you see that. The LS2 has got some miles to put down before it gets bumped out of the vette. Going by C5 guidelines, the base V8 in the vette will be the LS2 till 2010.

 

I can see it now. (Camaro basher) "The new Camaro V8 has as much power as a 10 year old LS1, yet is 0.3L bigger, so much for advances in GM engine tech"

I'd rather see a base 5.3L. Who says 310HP? maybe with Silverado 9.5:1 heads, but with 10.5:1 LS6 heads/cam You could have 375HP (405/5.7 *5.3). Or 325HP with 10:1 LS1 spec heads and still run on 87.

How would it simplify production? Then GM would have the LS2/LS2a and then would have to go make another 6.0L V8 unless they keep the LQ9 around. Either way they still have to stock 2 different V8s at the factory.

 

Show me don't tell me.

I'll believe it when I see it, I don't think the Camaro is coming back. Too much secret legal mambo jambo. I hope I am wrong.