I read GM has one guy that retired in the 1950's still collecting health care (yes he is over 100).


Something else important to remember is that the $600-$800+ that pushrod engines save is manufactorer cost, not end unit price. They most likely save the consumer $1200-$2000 (what does a create northstar cost?) I imagine if the Malibu was offerend with both the 3.5L HV & 2.8L HF 90% would rather save $1600 and have the equally powered and fuel efficent HV.

 

1. I think there's a bigger point to be made: GM should have standardized production (for North America at least) on a single, large displacement DOHC V6. Nissan USA gets by with only the 3.5 liter DOHC VQ in passenger car applications - despite the fact that 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 liter versions are still sold in Japan. Imagine the marketing buzz that might have been created in mainstream products if GM was actually leading the industry in power.

2. As a consumer, I don't care in the least about the profitability of the manufacturer.

 

Why when you build pushrod V6's that get as much power? Would you want a 260 HP Nissan 3.5L or 3800 Series III that makes the same power, and is much more modifiable. Even with a blower the 3800 is cheaper than a DOHC setup.

Also, anyone that calls GM's upcoming 3.9L low tech is smoking crack. 240+ HP with variable vale timing and DoD. There will be a 270-280 HP version with 3 valve heads also.

Every automaker fights to save dimes on a car....$800 is a freaking moutain. Especially when the only major difference is perception. That is why Nisaan's quality has went to ****.

 

The new HF V6 is a direct decendent of the shortstar...much like the Nissan 3.5 liter is of previous Nissan V6's.

 

1. Like all 3800 V6s, the S/C is on its way out. Despite all that lovely torque, it still sounded pretty crude at full throttle.

2. Nissan's VQ motor is rated at 298hp in the 2005 manual transmissioned 350Zs and Infiniti G35s. Pretty snappy.


Yup, that Malibu Maxx is pretty close to the quality of a Lexus - especially if you parked one next to a Lexus. Still, C&D was exactly wowed by the pre-production 3.9 liter G6s, and Nissan is offering a genuine horsepower advantage in the here and now.

 

Presto wrongo...

Actually the "Shortstar" was a 90 degree V6 derived from the Northstar V8. Both the HF and HV V6s are 60 degree units, both of which descend from the lowly 2.8 liter V6 that premiered in the Chevy Citation.

 

Funny how you mention that Car and Driver was disapointed withy the 3.9L---I belive they said it felt barely stronger then the 3500 V6.

Anyhow---Motor Trend said about the same thing!
Scary when they agree. Hopefully production will sort out any power deficet the pre production cars had (if that was the case)

If the 240hp 3.9L V6 can't crack the 7 second barrier (o-60mph) with an automatic I would be very disapointed.

 

While it's true that the HV V6s are decendants of the original 2.8L 60ºV6, the HF V6s are clean sheet designs. The HF V6s may borrow technologies from previous multivalve GM engines such as the Quad 4 and NorthStar, but they are not directly related.

 

I have a feeling that the pre-production 3.9's arent pushing 240.
Id like to see the 3.9 get more then 240 too.

 

1) Americans like variety, not every car should have the same V6

2) Me neither, but manufacturers don't give stuff away for free, the consumer always pays in the end. To the avg. comsumer DOHC SOHC OHV mean nothing, What matters is HP and MPG.

 

How can that be? The Nissan 3.5 is a bored and stroked version of the 2001 3.0 with VVT added. The Shortstar and HF V6 don't even share the same cylinder bank angle.

 

I don't see how the Shortstar could have been based off of the 3.4L DOHC engine. That engine is a 60 degree while the Shortstar is a 90 degree...to me the entire engine architecture is entirely different. Northstar was a clean-sheet...

redzed,
Compared to the competition at that time, the Shortstar was a good engine. You say its short on power, but compared to the then 222hp Maximas, the 200hp Accords, 210 (???) hp Camrys...uhm, where does it fall short???? No, it was not as torquey as a 3800, but compared to its competition its performance was quite similar. The lack of VVT hurt it a little overall, but it still compared to its peers in its respective timeframe.

I have driven, back-to-back actually, a 2000 Maxima SE and a 2001 Intrigue GLS. There were NO refinement drawbacks to the Intrigue's engine, at all. It wasn't Camry-smooth at 6,500, but compared to other engine architectures (Maxima's Nissan V6) you seem to love so much, its right in there. Have you even driven an Intrigue, or are you merely referring to your car mags again??

 

Apparently I was mistaken.

Was the old 3.4L DOHC V6 60*? I remember reading it was based on the old 2.8L for the citation.

I thought the Northstar was derived from the 3.4L DOHC...which led to the shortstar...

 

is that really a serious question? the VQ is silk, the 3800 is a stand in for a wheezy old man. I don't really care how much power the 3800 has, i don't want it. AND I HAVE ONE!! even my dad's '96 Maxima is still silky smooth and torquey all the way in it's rev range. and it has 90k on it. the VQ is by far the single most successful DOHC V6 design wise. it's the only reason Nissan is my favorite out of the Japanese. it practically BEGS you to unwind it. it feels THAT good. I'd never hesitate to take it over any equivolent GM engine, Honda, let alone Toyota's gutless but silent V6, and forget Ford altogether.

I don't now if you've driven a VQ, but you can't possibly understand what we're talking about unless you drive one. the 3800 will seem/sound like a woodchipper to you afterwards.

i make no claims for the 3.5L or the 3.9L haven't driven one and the other isn't even out yet. from what i've read, they are respectable, smooth performers. but i can gurantee you they wouldn't have diddly **** on a VQ.

 

Short star = N* with 2 cyl chopped off.

3.4 DOHC = Quad 4 tech + 3.4 OHV block

BTW the 3.4 DOHC in my 97 Monte is at 75K and is smooth as silk while screaming all the way to 7K RPMs and runs like a top, just chaned out the plugs and plug wires, Intake manifold gasket, plenum gasket and a couple of vacuum lines.