Are they coming back with Impala SS??

[fajita23200]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

That piece of junk is faster than the '94-'96 Impala... so if the new Impala is crap, the old one is worse than crap.

The 96' Impala Was/Is awesome.Would it beat the new Monte Carlo(a big bad supercharged v6,heh,heh,heh??) Who knows,but I doubt that ugly, square piece of cheese looking, Monte Carlo could win.I might be wrong.But,look at the re-sell on the Impala!!! I would'nt pay that much for a car with that many miles.But, alot of people will.

[Michael_S]

*sigh* I popped into the wrong forum. I should have remembered that big loud, muscular V8s are a religion to some people.

I know better than to argue with religious fanatics.

[Master Tech Dude]

Hey guys ! I caught word yesterday that GM is working on another full size rear wheel drive car, no doubt with a V8 again...who knows, maybe they will revive the Chevelle SS. That would be awsome! I guess we will have to wait and see, but I suspect they will closely watch the new GTO sales before they decide on final production. If anybody else here has any news about GM's plan on this let the rest of us in on it. Dude

[fajita23200]

It would be interesting to see if they are going to make something worth buying/driving this time.Okay,I have not driven the GTO.Maybe it's loaded with performance.It's like if you go out to eat.They give you something that everybody says tastes great,but it looks questionable.You'd be a little bit reluctant to try it.But,let's wait and see.

[Jared 80]

The new GTO looks sweet but it does weigh 3700lbs the same as a Thunderbird! If GM can make that much car proform well I will be impressed. Anyway I want the Camaro back.

[Master Tech Dude]

A little bit overweight it is but you can't get an LS1 in a Thunderbird!

Dude

[Michael_S]

Originally Posted by Master Tech Dude

A little bit overweight it is but you can't get an LS1 in a Thunderbird!

Dude

I was going to say the same thing. The Thunderbird is a 3700 pound two seater convertible with 290 horsepower. The GT0 is a 3700 pound 4 seat coupe with 350 horsepower. The T-bird has the retro looks to match the name plate, but the GTO has the beastly performance to match the name plate. I know which one I'd rather have.

[h3llphyre]

Originally Posted by Jared_80

Who cares if they supercharge that piece of junk let me know when they make it a RWD again. FWD sportscars are for chicks that cannot drive a real sportscar.

Yeah, and your '87 corolla is an awesome car right?

Having owned a FWD, RWD, and AWD car, I would have to say that I do agree that RWD is the best for a car that is going to be a serious contender at the track, but isn't necessary for anything slower then 12 second blasts in the 1/4.

The supercharged ImpalaSS is out. They are moving some of the FWD cars to a new V8 (not the northstar). I believe it is a 4.4L V8, based off the same tech as the northstar, but just freshened up a tad.

There are quite a few rumors about GM going back to RWD, but a lot of their cars will stay FWD for cost reasons. I am sure they will have a RWD 4 door, but I highly doubt it will be an impala. The FWD impala is one of Chevy's best sellers right now, so they have no reason to mess with it. Do however, expect a Chevelle based on the new upcoming GTO platform that will be built in the US.

[Michael_S]

The 2005 (or is it 2004?) Pontiac Bonneville GXP is going to have (or already has) the 4.4 L V8 you mention while remaining FWD, and I would be really surprised if the high end Buick Park Avenue - or its replacement, if there is one - didn't get the same treatment.

Of course, the current Cadillac Seville and Deville have FWD with the NorthStar 4.6L v8 tuned to 275 and 300 horses, respectively. Everyone I know who's driven one said they are a blast.

[h3llphyre]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

The 2005 (or is it 2004?) Pontiac Bonneville GXP is going to have (or already has) the 4.4 L V8 you mention while remaining FWD, and I would be really surprised if the high end Buick Park Avenue - or its replacement, if there is one - didn't get the same treatment.

Of course, the current Cadillac Seville and Deville have FWD with the NorthStar 4.6L v8 tuned to 275 and 300 horses, respectively. Everyone I know who's driven one said they are a blast.

Correct, the new 4.4L (290hp) V8 is going in the bonneville. No more supercharged 3.8L. Most of the other cars are going to get the 3.5L V6 motor (DOHC) that makes 250hp.

As for the northstar. It is a ballsy motor, but has some serious reliability issues. The main girdle LOVES to leak oil after about 75K miles. As long as you don't mind adding a quart every week or two, it isn't a big deal.

[Michael_S]

I know this is a little off topic - I hope no one minds.

The 3.5L DOHC 250 horsepower V6 is already in production in the Cadillac CTS and the SRX, and it was announced for the Buick Lacrosse, if I recall correctly. On the other hand, the new Pontiac G6 will have as an optional engine a 3.9L pushrod 245 horsepower V6 as an option. Most existing GM sedans with V6 engines use either the 3.4L or the 3.8L pushrod.

The Cadillac Deville, Seville, SRX, and XLR all use the 4.6L DOHC NorthStar V8. The Corvette and GTO use 5.7L pushrod LS1 and LS6 V8s. if I recall correctly most GM pickups, SUV, and vans with V8 engines use pushrods too.

I don't understand why GM uses both kind of valve systems for their V engines. From what little I know of car engines, you have to use an overhead cam for an inline engine like the I4s in the economy cars or the big I6s in the base level GM SUVs. So obviously if GM wants to use that type of engine an SOHC or DOHC is the only choice. But why make two different types for everything else?

I used to be a big fan of DOHC over pushrod, but not any more. DOHC gives more power per cubic inch of cylinder displacement, but since the valvetrain and such takes up more space, the pushrods tend to make more horsepower per pound of total engine mass. That's better both for keeping vehicle weight down and fitting larger engines into smaller engine bays (like the LS6 in the Cadillac CTS-V).

[Jared,80]

Originally Posted by Master Tech Dude

A little bit overweight it is but you can't get an LS1 in a Thunderbird!

Dude

Very true, but in the corners you will feel every ounce of that.

[h3llphyre]

Originally Posted by Michael_S

I know this is a little off topic - I hope no one minds.

The 3.5L DOHC 250 horsepower V6 is already in production in the Cadillac CTS and the SRX, and it was announced for the Buick Lacrosse, if I recall correctly. On the other hand, the new Pontiac G6 will have as an optional engine a 3.9L pushrod 245 horsepower V6 as an option. Most existing GM sedans with V6 engines use either the 3.4L or the 3.8L pushrod.

The Cadillac Deville, Seville, SRX, and XLR all use the 4.6L DOHC NorthStar V8. The Corvette and GTO use 5.7L pushrod LS1 and LS6 V8s. if I recall correctly most GM pickups, SUV, and vans with V8 engines use pushrods too.

I don't understand why GM uses both kind of valve systems for their V engines. From what little I know of car engines, you have to use an overhead cam for an inline engine like the I4s in the economy cars or the big I6s in the base level GM SUVs. So obviously if GM wants to use that type of engine an SOHC or DOHC is the only choice. But why make two different types for everything else?

I used to be a big fan of DOHC over pushrod, but not any more. DOHC gives more power per cubic inch of cylinder displacement, but since the valvetrain and such takes up more space, the pushrods tend to make more horsepower per pound of total engine mass. That's better both for keeping vehicle weight down and fitting larger engines into smaller engine bays (like the LS6 in the Cadillac CTS-V).

GM uses both because they don't feel like spending the money to develope new engines, not to mention that pushrod engines are cheaper to manufacture.

The weight difference between DOHC and pushrod is not a huge deal. If it was, most of the exotics would be fucked, because they ONLY use DOHC technology.

Yeah, i forgot the CTS just for the new global 3.5L V6. not a bad motor at all. Competes with the imports at least.

I am not quite sure why the vette keeps it current motor design. I tend to think it is for two reasons.... the first... GM is scared after the LT5 in the ZR-1 back in the early to mid 90's. It was cost prohibitive for them to keep producing the car (the motor almost doubled the price of the car). But, rumors say the next Z06 (or Z07) will have 3V per cylinder, but still remain a pushrod motor. There are aftermarket heads available for pushrod motors that give is 4V per cylinder, but they are pricey. The only real advantage that DOHC has over pushrod is the extra valves, which CAN be added to a pushrod motor, as I have stated previously. Ah well... I'm done for now.

[h3llphyre]

Originally Posted by Jared,80

Very true, but in the corners you will feel every ounce of that.

Not if the car is designed correctly. The new GTO is race bred and the tbird is not. The GTO has a race inspired suspension (IRS), as well as the motor and drivetrain. There is nothing race inspired with the tbird. Even though a car is heavier then another, doesn't mean it won't handle as well. Try taking a new gto to the track vs a base model neon... I am willing to bet the GTO will murder it in the corners.