15 HP isn't big enough to make an issue over. Anyway I would probaly want the 3500 over the I5 because though it will have less power it is easy to mod. Also the 3500 is set at 200 HP for the new Malibu.

 

Another well worded poll. 215hp or 200hp.....hmmm, let me see...

 

Hey Branden,

I thought along the same lines as you... the 3500 would be easier to mod right off the bat, as it has history, aftermarket(?) etc. And people will want to "customize" as history has shown. The big prob with bringing the 4.6 to the Mustang were cries about Ford leaving the 5.0 aftermarket behind.

So I VOTED FOR IT - the 3500... and there's only 1 vote for that option... That's my lonely little vote.

So what did you vote for?

 

I voted the same for just about the same reasons. Great minds think alike.

 

Umm uhh i dunno what i voted for...but i am sure there is a good factual reason I voted for it

 

No base model..

Design a whole new performance platform for Chevy, Pontiac, and Buick to share.

Give Chevy the V8 and make it light...frill free..

Give Pontiac the V8, load up some options in it

Give Buick a SC'd V6, all the options in the Pontiac as standard and then some

each model will have different skins and interiors, different suspension settings,differenet final gearing (chevy and pontiac to have higher numerical gearing, like 3.73's and Buick to have 3.42 or 3.23's). So each car would look and feel different, yet share the base attributes of being solid and well put together.

Small production run for each, like 20k or so for each brand a year.

If you need a base model, give it to Saturn, and have them run the HV DoD V6.

 

mullets.

 

These are all lousy options.

The HFV6 should take its place as the proper base engine for the Camaro, if it was going to be built.

 

I say nothing but v8s. The base car can come with a small displacement, low peak output V-8 a la the 4.8 vortec...in the neighborhood of 250hp. That places it above current V6 pony cars but a tad behind the Mustang GT in perception of "mildness"

The plus side would be the costs of production would be reduced even more since the base engine would share external dimensions with the Z28, etc.

It would be a boon to the aftermarket because those who could not readily afford Z28's could buy low perf v'8s and do bolt ons and eventually swap out the block entirely, meaning every car sold has potential. As long as power could be balanced with enonomy to produce a sufficiently fuel efficient car, I think it would work. The key is in the marketing effort.

Keep in mind that Maximas and other 4 door cars that don't have "base" engine options are out now with 230+ hp. I think even a 'stripper' model Camaro needs to be a step or two ahead of any sedan.

 

HooHaaahahah!!!
I hear you, brother!! LOL!

 

I think that the base engine needs to have a bit higher power output than the ones you listed. I would like to see it in the 230-240 horsepower range. This would go a long way towards attracting younger buyers who can't afford the V-8, and in turn, make them think twice about that import down the street.

-Mike

 

MmmHmm - agreed!
I could take that a step further and guess that "guys who WORK ON THEIR OWN CARS think alike too".

Would I be right?

 

Don't you think that would impact insurance? What about mileage (not that 6's do any better, but public perception says...blahblahblah)? We could get equal or better HP in a 6 as an 8 if the carmakers wanted to do it.

And BTW, you are right-on about the Maxima, and Altima too.
I almost got yacked by a new Altima going home Monday afternoon. He just kept goofing w/me. I tried to get him to go on, pass me, anything - but after a while I just couldn't take it any more. I was "zoned-out" trying to destress from work, and wasn't paying attention to the car - I just saw "import" and thought "slow". I was hesitant to give it all I had (he had g/f in the car and I didn't want to embarrass him, just wanted him to stay behind me - y'all know how it is ), but man did he get a good jump on me @65. I dumped it, and started winding him in, but slow at first. The game was over past 115. I guess he hit a speed limiter.
Once I started pulling away quickly, I let-off and he did too. I slowed to 65, he hit about 75, passed me, and went on.

I didn't expect it to escallate to the level it did, I usually kill rice well before 80. It was a VERY fast little car. I think the kid had probably modded a little (lord I hope so anyhow!), and was looking to bust a stock-looking Mustang because he just wouldn't leave me alone. Honestly, I think his car would take a stock 5.0 and might even put a hurt on an LT1/LS1 if the driver wasn't privy (like I was - DOH!).

My point is... Chris is exactly right about the HP these little rice cars are bringing out now. Since I don't street race, I have never really run a Maxima or Altima like that, and that car really suprised me. So I agree, it would be very un-cool to have a 4-door rice wagon take candy from your ponycar, and they are ever more capable of doing it. But are all V8's the answer? Couldn't we have a V6 that's equal in performance to the import sedans as a base unit?

Disclaimer- this was VERY rural, no houses, no other cars, no bridges, just open fields beside the huge flat 4-lane. I DO NOT do things like this, I don't condone such things in any way, or recommend it. I'm actually pretty shocked that I did it myself. Street racing is just generally not cool, IMO.

 

HF V6 - money talks. Either that, or V8s only. That idea is starting to sound interesting.

 

Oh yeah man, we are on the same page!