OK. Save your remarks that they should all have 500 hp and RWD. Let's talk reality here.

In the '60's and '70's....the 295/300hp L-48 350, powered tens of thousands of Camaro, Nova, Chevelle, etc., SS's. This was the predominant SS powerplant back "in the day".

Now we're going to have quite afew Ecotec/SC Ecotec, Cobalt SS's, ....3.9 V6 Malibu Maxx and Equinox SS's....and 5.3 V8 MC and Impy SS's.

Over the next few years, which will be considered the predominant powerplant when you think "SS"?

 

Its hard to say the LS1 LS6 is becoming more pronounced in many vehicles granted I hope it stays atleast to a V8 platform. Today though the SS badging has become overused because it is on justabout everything granted all the cars with the badging are special in thier own respects it makes me think of top of the line performance but thats My opinion

-john

 

In reality, I think each of those engines will be the predominant power plant in each catagory. The supercharged Ecotech will be top in the Cobalt series cars, the 3.9 in the G6 series cars, and the 5.3 (superchagred or not) in the large FWD/RWD sedans, and the 6.0 and up in the ultra performance cars..

I don't think we'll see one overly predominant engine again becasue of the wider range of vehicle sizes.

 

Yeah, I hear people saying that.

But if SS were only limited RWD V8 cars....Corvette is currently the only thing that would qualify.

The SS strategy is designed to sell Cobalts, Monte Carlos, Malibus, Equinox's, Impalas and Silverados. Just like it used to sell Camaros, Novas, Chevelles, Impalas, etc.

There is really very little point in having an "SS strategy" if you can't apply it to the cars and trucks that you sell.

BTW, I am expecting some exciting things from all of the above engine choices. From a hot rodders point of view ..I think that the Ecotec will take the cake . It'll have multiple variants....including supercharged versions....and soon turbo versions.

I'm imagining a 250 hp turbo Ecotec Nomad SS...with plenty of potential for tweaking!

 

Ls2.

Next to the camaro SS, every other SS is nil in my book. When i think modern SS, i picture a camaro..not a cobalt, fwd v6 impala, or Monte.

As far as the Ls2, it should be in the Camaro and c6, and it might even show up in other non-ss GM's....perhaps GTO, etc... Should be a predominant powerplant, even though the only SS aplication might be the camaro.

 

Just looking at some of the poll results.

By predominant...I mean most popular, most common.

 

It is where I come from

 

yea, not everythin is a v8 anymore so i see a mixed poll also
and i actually think that the ss strategy is a good one *imo*
i would love to have almost everything rwd v8 but then again, one must realize that doesnt sell the cars like it used too
all in all, different priorities in this day in age (fuel economy, size, etc.)

 

You may be on to something Tim.

Even the 3.9 will certainly create a performance following. Think about it! Up to 245 hp! More than the top performance motor in a '92 Z/28 or Trans Am. And there are reports that GM certified supercharger kits will be available for these motors (the 3.5, too), from your local GM dealer.

I wonder how much power a 3V conversion and supercharger on a 3.9 would produce?

 

If you're talking about which engine you'll see in the most SS models I'd have to say the new 3-9. Think about the volume of the Epsilon and W-body cars. I'm assuming the Chevy and Pontiac variants will all use this motor in one way or another, and at Chevy you'd have Malibu/Impala/Monte SS. On the other hand, Ecotec Cobalts will sell in large volumes but I'm not sure how many SS Cobalts you will see, probably not as many as the combined number of SS cars I mentioned. The V8 SS cars I still believe will be restricted to Camaros (uh, hopefully) and Silverados. Again, I don't see the SS volume there, at least with the pickups.

 

A 3V supercharged 3.9 V6 I'd guess would put out just over 300hp, censervatively thinking. I'd wonder what the drivetrain can handle. If I remember right, the 3.4 Twin Dual Cam engine could put out 275hp (a familiar rating?) but the transaxle development was stymied and subsequently it couldn't handle all the torque.

Personally I think having an 'SS' version in each model line up is a good move AS LONG as it offers increased performnce and IS NOT only a luxury and graphics package. Cobalt needs an SS to combat the SRT-6 and new Type-Rs, and so forth on up the models lines.

 

I don't see a 'common' SS motor at all.

Different car models tend to use different types of engines, even within Chevrolet itself...

I doubt there will be much commonality among them.

Exceptions to the rule would be when 2 cars are on the same platform (ie Monte Carlo and Impala)

 

Although I voted for the 5.3. your view makes alot better sense.

SS will be different depending on what it's in. It might mean Ecotecs fours with turbos or superchargers in Colbalts & Nomads, while it might (or will) mean 5.3 V8s in Impalas & Monte Carlos, or the 6.0 V8 in future RWD vehicles.

So when someone mentions a SS powerplant, it will depend on where you're sitting.

 

I'd say neither, If they(GM) intend on using the badging as Chrysler uses the R/T badging, it'll simply mean a High Output version of what ever powerplant that is TOP for a given model.
Like the ECOTEC + SC
The 5.3L with a HOT cam, induction and exhaust..
If this is the direction they intend on taking it, it MUST mean a High Output Package with the TOP motor enhanced with HIPO parts...