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A Little GM Rant

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Old Nov 19, 2005 | 11:17 AM
  #121  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

"See! The M3 is lighter than a GTO... and has a quicker 0-60 even with less power!"
Not much of a mystery, less torque made higher in the band, more expensive tires, allows better hook up off the line, on stock rubber...now add some serious rubber to the GTO and all bets are off.!...
(..traction control won't help by killing power, either..)
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 11:36 AM
  #122  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

Originally Posted by BigDarknFast
What exactly are you babbling about here?
My "babbling" quite obviously went right over your head. You don't do much racing, do you?

And where do you get this 343 hp figure? I've always seen the current M3's output listed as 333 hp...
www.bmw.com. Perhaps those are 2006 numbers?

... and a measly 262 ft lb of torque. Sorry. That's NOT in the same league as my GTO's 400 hp and 400 (400!) ft lb torque.
Remember that comment I made about liking torque....especially when multiplied by rpm?

You are correct that the M3's motor makes nowhere near the torque of the LS2 (or LS1, or LSanything else). However, when talking about acceleration and/or speed (0-60, 1/4, top speed), that makes little difference. If we were pulling trailers or racing from 0 - 4000 rpm, then you would have a case. Otherwise, you don't. Quite simple.

And you darn well better believe my Goat feels quicker in traffic - because of stump-pulling torque being on tap at just about any reasonable RPM.
I didn't say anything about "traffic". "Traffic" could be zero to above highway speeds. I said it feels good from a stoplight....which it does. Unfortunately, the "seat of the pants" is one of the world's biggest liars. For evidence, go look up current M3 and GTO 0-60 times in your favorite magazine.

And when it comes to rpm, "reasonable" is quite relative.

Incredibly - the LS2 Goat also gets better MPG than the M3 while doing this
A testimony to the excellent LSx series of engines.

Chalk up another Yankee engineering victory
I'm a big fan of the LSx, and I believe they are best mass-produced performance engines in the world. Bar none.

Doesn't make me a blind GM nutswinger though.

Originally Posted by Z284ever
Oh yeah, I'm sure it's longer and narrower.....but I'd bet it's also taller....maybe even alot taller. Overall, I'd bet an LSx is a much easier engine to package than a BMW I6.
Quite possible, and agreed.

Which would once again bring up the question about what the needs are/aren't of overall vehicle mass, to package a specific powertrain.

In fact, I wouldn't be surprised if an LS2 fit in a 3 series engine bay with no issues. Afterall, M3 is getting DOHC V8 next year....which I am very sure is larger/heavier than an LS2 in every single dimension.
Again, agreed - which is why I felt quite confident in my earlier statement about the LS2 being about the same weight as the M3's engine.

BDnD seems to have forgotten that this was the original point, but I digress.
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 12:35 PM
  #123  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

It is pointless to argue with BigDarknDense. I learned that a while ago.
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 12:51 PM
  #124  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

It is pointless to argue with BigDarknDense. I learned that a while ago.
This is true

I've concluded - there are some who are simply jealous of my substantial enthusiasm for GM's cars
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 01:38 PM
  #125  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

quite obviously... Quite simple. quite relative... Quite possible, quite confident
You're quite the 'quite' user, aren't you? What is that, your favorite word?
You don't do much racing, do you?
No. You don't do much engineering, do you?
Perhaps those are 2006 numbers?
I suppose that's possible. But edmunds.com lists the 06 at 333 hp, and autobuyguide.com plus automotive.com list the 05's at 333 hp. Maybe it's another situation like when Ford recently over-rated the power of the SVT Mustangs and the owners got all irate and embarrassed
Remember that comment I made about liking torque....especially when multiplied by rpm
Maybe you have an invention idea here! (I guess I should PM you about this!) You apparently know how to get more torque than the peak shown on an engine curve! Heck, who needs engineering. We've got magic now! (Before your lecture begins. Yes I am aware of the 'torque multiplying effects' of devices like torque convertors... but I'm speaking of the relative advantage of one ENGINE over another, all else and all such devices being equally available)
If we were pulling trailers or racing from 0 - 4000 rpm, then you would have a case.
Lots of 'cafe encounters' are over by 4000 RPM (at least, if one of the participants has an LS2 ). Maybe you are not familiar with the history of the term 'cafe racing'... IIRC it began in Europe where vehicles, such as motorcycles, would race just a block or less from one cafe to the next. BTW what's special about 4000? Maybe you should have chosen 5000 just to be safe
I didn't say anything about "traffic".
Yea... why in the world would they ever have stoplights where there's... traffic
My point being, there are lots of situations INVOLVING stoplights besides going from a stop when it turns green. Another example is when it's red and you are approaching at say 5 MPH, and it suddenly turns green. The vehicle with more torque (IN IT'S ENGINE'S OUTPUT CURVE) and a flatter torque curve is more responsive, if both vehicles are otherwise the same.
For evidence, go look up current M3 and GTO 0-60 times in your favorite magazine.
I'm amazed you even said this, without comprehending the M3's 300+ curb weight advantage! You're getting rusty Bob!
Doesn't make me a blind GM nutswinger though.
There you go again with the desperate measures
I felt quite confident in my earlier statement about the LS2 being about the same weight as the M3's engine.
Where's this statement? The last I saw, you were 'curious' about the relative weights. If so, it's all the more amazing what the LS2 can do. And at least we (apparently) agree on that.
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 01:38 PM
  #126  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

When BDnD's enthusiasm is actually warranted, its great. But the biggest issue appears to be that facing reality can be a little difficult. In another thread, you said the UAW was 80-90% of GM's problem.

That's like saying Iraq is 80-90% of the reason why I can prove George W. is an idiot. There are soooo many more reasons that BOTH are in the hot water they're in
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 01:51 PM
  #127  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

Originally Posted by BigDarknFast
I'm amazed you even said this, without comprehending the M3's 300+ curb weight advantage!
BINGO!!!!!!!!!!!

That's kinda the point of the past few pages of this thread.

Last edited by Z284ever; Nov 19, 2005 at 02:05 PM.
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 02:59 PM
  #128  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

That's kinda the point of the past few pages of this thread.
Well gosh... if weight's all that matters, get a sport bike and RULE THE STREETS
For me though there's a *slight* problem with such ideas... both the BMW M3, and all sport bikes I know of... are not practical for carrying my two tykes
But the biggest issue appears to be that facing reality can be a little difficult. In another thread, you said the UAW was 80-90% of GM's problem.
I've already faced reality, and made more than one note about GM's obvious challenges to be dealt with (guess that's not enough for some, unless I jump into the GM-bashing pool all the way, with the rest of the herd ). My point all along has simply been, GM's got a ton of advantages already in their holding pen, as is clear by some of the fine vehicles they already turn out today... and all it will take is a release from the UAW ball and chain for them to be sailing proudly in a broad sea of success once again

That is GOING to happen IMHO. Just takes a little faith, hard work and some smart moves by their leadership and that appears to me to have already begun
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 03:11 PM
  #129  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

In another thread, you said the UAW was 80-90% of GM's problem.
Hmm. Appears at least one person here is 'quite curious' (I love that phrase ) about knowing a detailed breakdown of the whole 100%. So here you go:

85% - - UAW's decades-long, totally self-centered, money grab in the name of 'workers rights and equality' ( ). Result: GM's entire sales, production, and marketing strategy is crippled and warped to meet the urgent needs of the UAW (INSTEAD of the customers and shareholders)
8% - - Poor decisions by previous GM leadership, such as underestimating the importance of high quality and reliability in the 1980's and early 1990's, alienating many customers (UAW was involved here too! )
3% - - Overly kind international trade agreements, allowing other governments to impose tarifs on GM imports (eg Japan Inc) while the USA covets the 'high ground' on free trade
2% - - Cynical, GM-hating modern media like the LA Times, Consumer Reports (up til just recently) and bitter internet forum posters with an ax to grind
1% - - Liberals in government continually adding regulations and rules because they hate big, powerful vehicles
1% - - Mistakes made by the current GM leadership such as the Fiat fiasco

There you go
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 03:14 PM
  #130  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

Originally Posted by BigDarknFast
Well gosh... if weight's all that matters, get a sport bike and RULE THE STREETS
For me though there's a *slight* problem with such ideas... both the BMW M3, and all sport bikes I know of... are not practical for carrying my two tykes
Ok, this is getting alittle silly........
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 03:25 PM
  #131  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

Originally Posted by BigDarknFast
both the BMW M3, and all sport bikes I know of... are not practical for carrying my two tykes
I would hope you wouldn't feel the need for the Camaro to all the sudden become more practical, at the cost of added weight. The Camaro has never been a car of true practicality, and I don't think the 5th gen should start this trend.
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 03:42 PM
  #132  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

Originally Posted by Z284ever
Ok, this is getting alittle silly........
I'd eject if I were you
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 03:42 PM
  #133  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

I would hope you wouldn't feel the need for the Camaro to all the sudden become more practical, at the cost of added weight. The Camaro has never been a car of true practicality, and I don't think the 5th gen should start this trend.
Oh I don't know... I drove my two tykes around since 1999 in LT1/LS1 Firebirds. They were eminently practical, for that... but now one of my kids is 8 and had begun to outgrow the rear legroom so that was a factor (along with better view for my kids out the windows) in getting a GTO. Maybe I won't get a 5gen Camaro? I do hope however that it has a usable pair of back seats. The fact that such a constraint brings a weight penalty with it doesn't bother me in the least.
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 03:47 PM
  #134  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

Originally Posted by BigDarknFast
Oh I don't know... I drove my two tykes around since 1999 in LT1/LS1 Firebirds. They were eminently practical, for that... but now one of my kids is 8 and had begun to outgrow the rear legroom so that was a factor (along with better view for my kids out the windows) in getting a GTO. Maybe I won't get a 5gen Camaro? I do hope however that it has a usable pair of back seats. The fact that such a constraint brings a weight penalty with it doesn't bother me in the least.
That's sad when an 8 year old is too big for the back seats.
Old Nov 19, 2005 | 03:54 PM
  #135  
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Re: A Little GM Rant

He still fit... but part of the problem is I have long legs for my height and I like having my seat run back all the way. And strangely, both my 5 yr old and my 8 yr old are nearly the same size.



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