gm performance

so how many ppl here would like gm to make performance parts for the aurora?

Silverbullet, I certainly would love to see this come true. But I will belived it when I see it.

the engineering department in gm is reviewing to see if they'll make performance parts for the aurora I contacted them.

Why would they make performance parts for a car that has been discontinued?

Why would they make performance parts for a car that has been discontinued?

The Northstar engine hasn't been discontinued - they were probably talking about the Northstar 4.6 that's in the Bonneville.

so I guess there shouldn't be any more perfomance parts for camaros right cuase they are discontinued.

dont forget trans am/ firebirds...and the deadly 3.8 turbo v6 8)

Why would they make performance parts for a car that has been discontinued?
They still make the stock turbos for Grand Nationals. I could order one through where I work for 1200 bucks.

Manufacturers work this out the same way aftermarket companies do. They base it on the popularity of the vehicle, not it's age. In short, I have yet to find any high flow heads, a roller top end, and equal length headers for my '88 Delta 88.

The internals of the Aurora 4.0 is pretty performance oriented to begin with. Its has 10.3:1 compression, 3.71 gears etc etc. With simple bolt on mods and some tranny work, the Aurora is easily a 300HP car.

I looked into headers but found that the work involved vs. gains wouldnt make it worth the while. That being said, what does GM plan on doing?

It's simple marketing economics 101. Product, Placement, Promotion, Price. I think it's safe to say the the demographic for most Aurora owners (as well as those of Caddy's) is somewhat out of step with aftermarket performance parts.

The Aurora was never marketed to the 20-somethings. Whilst it was priced and styled to compete with the BMW and others of that ilk it's main-stream buyer was a 40-something or more. So while the few of us that correspond on here think it might be "cool" (I like the vehicle in its stock form) most owners probably don't share our enthusiasm.

Finally, when one compares the total production volume of the Aurora to say camaros, or Firebirds, other performance oriented vehicles I'm confident that we would see a multi-fold difference in both total production logevity and total production volume.

The economics simply make little sense.

why is everyon so neg about this

While at the same time you can get bolt-ons and styling kits for an ACHIEVA. I said ACHIEVA. get real.

Check out GM part no. 24502570

Motorpsort Aurora V8 Engine Handbook.
This is the IMSA prep handbook for the
Aurora 4.0liter IMSA WSC engine.
Although this lists many modifications
which would make the engine not
pass emissions (heh-heh..) there are
parts listing and modifications which can
be made and will work within the standard
chassis.

This book lists parts suppliers on page 35.

GuMan
:p

While at the same time you can get bolt-ons and styling kits for an ACHIEVA. I said ACHIEVA. get real.

If I’m “hearing” you right I detect a note of sarcasm regarding add-ons for the Achieva versus the Aurora (as in why for the Achieva and not the Aurora). Whilst I have no idea regarding the total production volume of these automobiles I do have an awareness of the original and previously owned price points. The Aurora listed for much much more than did the Achieva (a styling disaster to say the least in my opinion).

So, there are still the market forces of demographics, affordability, and product (style). First, the Achieva’s price-point was relatively low and intended to hit a middle-class commuter market. The Aurora’s price-point was aimed at a completely different market – let’s call it upper-middle class sport sedan. These two factors meant that buyers would be segregated along economic lines. In terms of the products themselves, I doubt that many folks would argue that the Aurora is a much more stylish automobile (they may not like the style, but it’s more stylish than the Achieva).

When combining the rich styling of the Aurora and it’s demographic I suspect that we might generally find that the Aurora owner’s affluence directed their purchase of a stylish sport sedan. Conversely, the Achieva’s buyer most likely had lesser means yet was still biased to the Oldsmobile brand. So, we have a stylish upper-middle class Aurora, compared with a basic middle-class commuter car.

As a class, the Aurora owners are probably very satisfied with the stylish performance that the vehicle offers out-of-the-box. Conversely, as a class, the Achieva owner might have a desire to “beef-up” their commuter car to make it more stylish and therefore more attractive to them. So, if I were to take some guesses at decisions being made by aftermarket suppliers, I suspect they are focused on a market segment that wants to incrementally “improve” their vehicles styling and performance (the inference is that this is a necessity in the case of the Achieva). As the AM supplier I’m going to make bolt-on, add-on, jack-it-up, pump-it-up, speed-it-up parts for the Achieva long before I’m going to make them for the Aurora.

Oh, and by the way, I'm not negative on the matter....simply realistic...free markets will deliver the right product, for the right person at the right time, at a price that compliments the perceived value.

Gm aimed the Aurora at the 45-55 affulent market. This is not a market that generally modifies their car.

The achieva market average buyer is the type more so. Though most of the type that would buy the Achieva and concerned about style bought a Grand Am, I got the GA GT. Gotta tell ya, with out my Razzi kit I wouldn't own an Aurora, I figure the Razzi kit lowers the average age to mine.

Wow, Ugsrich, I was starting to feel like I was in Economics class again. Big words are hard for a short attention span to keep up with! Just kidding, I understand the whole supply and demand issue and how it relates to various cars. I just find it amusing and at the same time annoying that the AM tends to the lowest performing cars on the market. I was really just making a crack (because I hate Achievas), but it does irritate me. I'm actually amazed that there are any aftermarket parts available for the Aurora at all. The AM aims to please highschool/college age 'kids' that want to take a wimpy car, 2 years old that they got for next to nothing, and add a noisy can under the bumper, ground effects, a 3 foot tall wing, and oversized wheels so they can feel like they've got something. Weekend bolt-ons. Not my cup of tea. If you didn't build it, it ain't yours. I would, however love to add that Razzi kit to mine, when the bank allows it, I'm extremely impressed with how it looks and keeps the lines of the car flowing without interruption. I know there is aftermarket options for exhaust too but I just couldn't keep my hands out of this one. I built it all from the 'Y' back myself, went up to 2" pipe, 12" glasspacks (don't laugh, you'd be amazed), and I'm working on the tips right now. Put it next to a new Z28 and close your eyes, you wouldn't know which is which. I wanted this car so I had something for the woman to drive that I wouldn't mess with. It worked for awhile, now it's all I want to mess with and I'm disappointed with my lack of options, that's all. What we have on our sides, though, is the poor resale of luxury class cars. I bought mine for $3500 with VERY few problems and I knew quickly what they were/are. With the decreased price, people in the market for high-end cars are going newer and newer while these cars get older, meaning younger age groups are picking them up. Sooner or later, hopefully, the AM will catch on to this and begin adding Christmas presents for us in their wishbooks.