guion, I can see where you're coming from, there. Point taken.

Muckz - the "HO" Quad 4 cars were definitely fast for their day. The GTZ, the unfortunately named Quad 4-4-2 (though I actually think the car itself is kind of cool in an oddball funky way) and the Achieva SC were the only cars that got it I think. Were there any others? I believe it got canned due to its NVH characteristics leaving only the 150 horse version (which I had in a Cavalier Z24 and it was still plenty loud and harsh).

 

Quad 4 was available in the Grand Am as well...

 

Quad4 also went into Calais, albeit a little less powerful. The one in Beretta had 180 HP, which just about knocked me over when I heard. It also had 163 lb/ft of torque.

This Quad4 evolved into 2.4L twin cam engine used in Cavaliers/Sunfires with 150 HP.

You know what the really interesting thing was? I met 1995 5.0L Mustang automatic, the ones that were slow. I couldn't believe it (and neither could the guy) but my car kept up until 60 mph.

I had my share of fun :-). That's what got me into GM cars, and the next on the list (seeing how Beretta got canned) was Camaro. What do you know, I get Camaro ... and it gets canned. I'm afraid I'm beginning to see a pattern. Ladies and gentlemen, let's just cross our fingers that my next car will not be Corvette

 

I was only referring specifically to the Quad 4 H.O. which was the 180 horsepower version. Xed is right though, I'd forgotten it was in the Grand Am as well. Tons of cars had the non-H.O. Quad 4. I think they essentially changed the name to "Twin Cam" because the "Quad 4" name had gotten such a bad reputation, which is too bad since Olds spent a fortune promoting it.

 

I'm wondering, why did it get bad reputation? They were notorious for head gasket leaks, but other than that I was happy with my car. Pushed it hard, sold it when it had 120K miles on it. Didn't have to do a single thing on it, other than changing oil and spark plugs.

I thought those were good engines. The bad part, though, is when it comes to modifying them. Port and polish heads, and... voila, it does nothing. My first run was against a friend who invested $2500 US into his engine, intake and exhaust. He ran a best of 15.8xx and I ran 15.904. The only thing done on my car was K&N cone filter conversion. Recently GMHTP magazine did some tweaks on Twin Cam Alero... the only thing to get the car go faster was with nitrous.