The Pontiac website says the G6 GTP will have the 3.9L engine rated at 227hp - 13 less then in its other G6 applications,

This raises two questions. First, why the drop in power? Secondly, with this power, why is the 3.9L even necessary. The 3.5L gets 211hp in its Impala application, so why go to a second engine for 11 more horsepower?

 

Torque?

 

It is probably a little lower in the convertible due to exhaust routing constraints or something like that. Perhaps an extra brace to stiffen the chassis creates a couple of extra bends, or forces the use of a differently shaped catalytic converter.

Not really a drag racing car anyway...

 

Like 96_Camaro_B4C said, it's probably do to exhaust routing or something like that. And if that's the case, then the 3.5L would most likely make less power as well.

Or it could be a misprint on the website. Not like GM's ever had the wrong info on their website before .

Chris

 

One thing I don't get is why does the 3500 make 201 in the G6 and 211 in the Impala...I believe the Impala gets the VVT, and the G6 does not. Why make 2 versions of the same damn engine?

 

The information is at pontiac.com and select G6 convertible. I don't think it's a mistake. It makes no mention of torque. The 3.5L is the same power. It's amazing, GM has about 15 engines that would work in this application but they go with this one.

 

It's probably because the wet noodle chassis would twist too much with the extra torque.


j/k

 

I could be completly off on this, but here is my idea of what is different, other than just the exhaust.

Has anyone heard if the 3.9L in the regular G6 GTP was certified with the new SAE test? Only reason I ask is because all of GM's vehicles that have been tested have a relatively random hp number. 201's, 211's, 505's, etc... Perhaps the 3.9L was never tested or at least advertised with the new test. While the convertible was, along with the supposed exhaust routing change, that could perhaps show where the hp went. Or If the original 3.9L isn't putting out 240hp on the new SAE test, it very well could only be putting out 227hp from the start, but GM never showed us those numbers.

I could be completly off on this, please don't flame too much if I'm wrong.

 

The 3.9L was SAE certified in the Monte Carlo and Impala at 242hp.

I would agree with the general consensus of exhaust routing etc being the culprit.

 

Exhaust routing would make the most sense of the problem... but good grief, 227hp? What kind of exhaust is this?! A Quad-muffler Pretzel?

 

nope.

you guys aren't focusing.

less horsepower + convertible= cheaper insurance quotes.

 

I really don't think the General would voluntarily underrate the engine (and at 227 hp, instead of 225 or 230) for that purpose. 240 hp isn't going to cause an insurance agent's heart to flutter.

 

Though the General has underrated engines before, unless the insurance companies increase rates are higher at 230 hp or so, I don't see why they'd bother for such a small difference. Even still, this is supposed to be the division of exciting cars, Why bother making a car if it's no better or different than the competition? Though I understand HP isn't everything, Pontiac needs something to set itself apart.

 

HP is not directly part of the insurance rate equation is it?