I am not sure if this post is supposed to be sarcastic or not. The internet can lose sarcasm in its translation.

For the 1,345,680th time, I am not interested in the prices of the crate engines anyway. Maybe Pacer could chime in on this alittle better. I am really interested in knowing how much it cost GM to build the LS7. At that point one can add the cost of the LS7 to the 5th gen loaded base v8 model (probably around $28k ballpark), subtract out the cost of building the LS2 since the car won't be using it, and ballpark the price of an LS7 5th gen. Of course, this won't take into account the added running gear to come with such a package.

Also, I still really, really doubt it is only a few hundred dollars more to build an LS7 over an LS2. A set of good billet titanium connecting rods for a small block Chevy can set someone back $3000-4000 just for the connecting rods alone. The LS7 rods are forged, not billet, so that will help bring price down, and they are used in a high (relatively high as far as titanium applications go for automobiles) volume engine line, which will further bring prices down. I would still say that a set of 8 of these rods for each LS7 has to run GM at the very least $1k for every motor. This is just the connecting rods mind you, but it illustrates my point. Obviously the way the LS7 is currently manufactured is going to have a huge impact on its price, but its parts alone are still likely going to cost much more than the standard running gear in an LS2, even when used in volume. This is all speculation on my part, and I would love to have someone chime in here with hard numbers.

I do want to see the LS7 find its way into a 5th gen though.

 

People seem to forget, or perhaps they don't know but the 69 Camaro had the option ZL1 427. The engine option alone costs as much as the price of the car
($4000+$4000 rougly) If GM wants to put it in---they will.

Certification be damned--if Ford can do it with a 5.4L S/C 475hp (essentially a Ford GT-miuns a couple of things) V8 so can GM. Thats I have to say about that

 

honestly, I think with weight, gearing and suspension, they should build the Z/28 with 400 hp but completely able to take the GT500 by it's fat neck and choke it into submission. GM HAS the capability to make a fullout race suspension that can be changed with a switch to a comfortable ride. They can fit massive brakes, and gear the thing to all out stomp the competition. I will never see the better side of 140 mph in a street car again, and I honestly don't need to. If it is geared to 145 and weighs less than 3400, it will pimp slap the GT500 like she stole money.


Then, and ONLY then, should they intro a 500hp car SS, with more options, but the SS engine should be an option in the Z/28...... SS Z/28 anyone?

Kind of like a one two punch, actually 1-2-3, because if they make a 300 horse entry level V8, they will eat into Mustang's prime real estate.

But first of all, I think they will alienate the people who do think 400 hp is too much, and young kids who won't be able to swing the insurance (but will be able to afford insurance on a Mustang GT).

 

I was thinking about making a 396 stroker for a project a while back, god I would love to see that number on the side of a new camaro again!

 

These are the engines I think should be available:

Base Camaro: 5.3L 303 hp V8
Z28: 6.0L 400hp V8
SS: 6.2-6.5L 450hp V8

I would be happy with that. Leave the 7.0L 500hp V8 for the Z06.

 

Writing off the price of titanium due to larger volume is inaccurate. The price of material doesn't change if you buy in large volumes, especially Titanium. The company I work for (large aerospace machine shop) sees many different materials go through the doors, but Titanium is certainly not the cheapest. Even with Aluminum prices going through the roof, Titanium still costs 4x that of aluminum. Forging does bring the price down, but Titanium is at such a shortage right now, and the mining process (if you can really even call it that) of Titanium is very difficult and time consuming.

I guess I would love to see the LS7 in the Camaro, but I don't see it happening. They could save money by going to a steel rod, not cnc porting the heads, and running a wet sump system, which could bring the power down to 450-460 depending on many factors. I think this engine assembled on a traditional assembly line is the best bet as far as power and reliability are concerned.

 

As much as I'd like to see a 300 hp base model, I doubt we will. I think we will see something in the 240 hp range. Too much power and you start moving the target away from some women, and other demographics who don't want that much power. Sounds funny to us, but some people are scared of the HP and simply won't buy the car. The base model has to be user friendly and cater to a much larger audience than just the gearheads/car enthusiasts.

 

I think a lot of people are trying to get the base V8 in there, but keep the high HP versions too, and going with the 3 model restriction someone put on it, that squeezes out the V6.

I think they should do 240 hp V6
LSX 300 hp RS (or better yet 275 hp and 375 tq)
LS2 400 hp Z/28

Farm it out to SLP or ? to make the SS

That way, the volume will be enhanced by the lower powered V8, instead of depending on it.

V6 + lower power V8 = much higher sales.

ALL V8s = Lower Sales

V6 plus hi po V8s only = Lower sales.

 

even if the V8 gets 30 mpg, they will still ask for the V6 to save on gas and insurance.

 

By the time a 7.0L LS7 based Camaro were available, the Z06 will have already been upgraded to the LS9, which I believe is a 600hp 6.4L supercharged version of the same basic design. All I'm suggesting is rather than tossing the LS7, continue to develop it for the top Camaro.

Furthermore the reason the LS7 should be tied to the Z28 is they both have ties to road racing heritage. The SS is the luxury performance street car and always has been. Let the SS get the 400-450 HP V8. Additionally, I don't see a base V8 Camaro, just three versions:

Base: V6
Camaro: SS 400-450 HP V8
Camaro: Z28 500 HP LS7 w/ race suspension, brakes, etc.

The Z28 is only offered in a coupe. The base Camaro and Camaro SS are available in coupe or convertible with a boatload of options.

 

Exactly! I've been saying this all along!

DON'T hand build it, DON'T use a dry sump oil system, and to further cut costs, DON'T use titanium rods!

DO build a 427 cubic inch LSx engine.
DO make it between ~475 - 500 HP.
DO produce it, even if in limited numbers.

A Camaro with an LS7-derived engine won't affect the Corvette / Z06. But a Camaro with a 427 under the hood (can anyone say "ZL1"? ) would just be too amazing!!

 

no RS V8 and I am not buying. So there better be one!! I doubt I could afforde a 400 hp Z28 or SS.

Look at the Mustang

4.0L V6
300hp V8
350hp? (Mach 1 or Boss)--I know they are working on something
475hp S/C.

There is no reason whatso ever that the Camaro can't offer the same kind of engine lineup. If your listening GM.....