The I-6 is way to big for the mid sized twins. Having the turbo i-5 in the bel air and H3T concept shows what GM has ready. Both engines were rated at 350hp.
Not to long ago, somene on GMI posted a link to the plant that makes the I-5 engine, and there on the front page of this website was news on the turbo I-5 and how it could be ready for proudution. I would think that a small block would fit into the Colorado too. I mean, they got LS1's into the smaller S10's, why couldnt they get the same size engine into the larger Colorado? LS2+T-56+Colorado short bed, standard cab= buh bye. Thoes Colorado's can get as light as 3100-3200lbs.

But there is no V6 right now that makes as much power as the I-5, cert. for truck use, and cheap. The I-5 is a much better engine then the last 4.3.

 

IIRC didn't the BelAir concept have 315hp? That would be a more production-like output. I wouldn't doubt that this motor could be underrated to where it actually makes 350hp.

Hmm, kinda reminds me of the LS1

 

220hp isn't bad when you consider the size of the truck its in...I'd bet its fairly quick. The only truck that comes to mind that it can't hang with 0-60 wise or towing wise would be a Dakota...it beats the Ranger and Tacoma easily enough...

 

There was already a turbo I5 Colorado made for show (I forget where). Its old news that the I6 wont fit. Some even say that a V8 wont fit but I dont buy that although it may be true. Either way I'm holding out for a turbo/V8 Colorado Z71 4x4 that can tow far better than the current package or at least wait until GM discards that fuel limitation holding towing capacity back.

 

is that what is holding it back? I also say that the V8 wont fit is BS. People have put V8's in the S10, they can put it in the colorado. People say that it might eat into Silvarado sales, but I dont know about that.

 

I doubt the Silverado sales excuse is true too. I and many others want a midsize Chevy truck with a V8, but GM wont give that to us at this time like another certain product... The 355 twins have a fuel limitation that restrict its towing capacity, in turn giving us the VERY dissapointing 4000lb limit on the auto and 3500/3600lb limit on the 5-speed. It is not a drivetrain limitation at all and can easily handle much more. I forget the reason why this was done, I think it had to do with fuel economy? This was discussed on Coloradofans.com a while back.

Also one of the members at CF.com took a Colorado out and tested one from a dealer that was lent to him by the manager who was also interested in the results. The towing weight was with 4400lbs total of a boat and trailer. The Colorado was able to do it but definitely struggled in the process

 

From what I understand, the Ford Ranger is to become a mid-sized truck. Whether or not it gets a V8 is not known (to me), but I think a Colorado like mid-sized GM truck with a small V8 would be awesome and needed to compete with the Ford and Dodge offerings.

 

I don't think it would cut into Silverado sales, People buy the Silverado because they want a big truck, not just for a V8 in a truck. Dakota has a V8 and havn't taken 1 sale away from the RAM, in fact since the RAM got bigger in 2002 it has sold more units.

It's like saying people wouldn't buy an Impala if the Cavalier came with the 3.4L V6

 

I dont think the new Dak has a V8.
And I belive the tow weight is 4000lbs because thats what GM figured would be the max anyone would toe with this truck.
If the other thread has any insight, I guess the Colorado cant be made to fit a V8 in there, but Im sure someone will find away. I dont think its a size thing, I think its a lazy engineer thing. I think GM needs to develop a larger V6 based on the 6.0 truck engine, that or make the I-5 stronger. Better cam profiles, better exhaust flow, etc etc... the truck needs to make serious torque and tow at least 5500lbs.

 

Think again...and it's been that way a long time.

 

ahh, right you are. For some reason, I thought that the Dak dropped the V8.