ok, hows this sound RussStang:

3.9-250hp LT...$19,500-$21,000

5.3-325hp RS...$23,500-$25,000

6.0-400hp SS...$26,500-$28,000

LS7-475hp...$30,000-$33,000


that covers all the Mustangs and will take care of the Challenger, and if they can accomplish those prices, the Camaro comes in cheaper than the other two.

 

It looks good, except for the fact that I don't think we will ever get a 325HP v8 in the 5th gen. Also, I doubt the 5th gen will have 3 v8 engine options. I really did like the idea being thrown around awhile ago on this board of a blown 300hp v6 being the base for the Camaro. It would give the base a sporty feel, and help to bridge the gap between the power levels of all of the available models. I do realize that it is extremely unlikely we are going to see a blown v6 as the base engine, but it would be pretty awesome. The first v6 Camaro ever that doesn't suck.

 

I wouldn't worry about the engine too much. Mods and the aftermarket will take care of your power needs. I'll take a lower power engine over a higher power one if it means less torque management and a more development money for a stronger engine/drivetrain with more potential for later. Likewise, time would be better spent keeping weight down.

Anyway, I don't really feel stock power numbers sells cars other than to those who just like to brag about the number. Most people want a overall package, while the power crazy will want a car that they can modify.

 

the 325hp choice was in there for guys like Jason E who don't need the top engine, but want a V8 sound and feel. i think 4 engine choices seems like alot, but could work. think about how many 3rd gen RS V8s are around, then the 305 and 350 Z28s/IROCs. i still feel lack of choices was a real limiting factor with the 4th gens.

 

300hp to just feel sporty? Does anyone realize what exactly we are saying?! We are expecting the BASE V6 Camaro to have more power than a 1997 Z28. I wouldnt have a personal problem with the base Camaro having that V6, however, it might not be the wisest move, with insurance and other factors. A 250+hp engine would be plenty I think for the base model...as far as the V8's, of course id love to see the LS7 as the Z28 motor, but thats super far fetched, so id settle just fine for the LS2 as the Z28 motor with the SS having something between the V6 and the LS2

 

Personally, im holding my breath for a pair of Pratt & Whitney J-58JT11D-20's, that should be just enough power,and hell, who knows, maybe add a third one for a special model Camaro

 

i know the numbers sound high (can you believe we are complaining about ONLY 400hp ), but you have to look at where Ford and Chrysler are gonna be when the Camaro hits the streets. 450hp GT500, 450hp+ Challenger. GM has to step up to the plate with the performance models.

 

In a 3600lb car it will feel sporty. It is a Camaro after all. A base 300 Hp Camaro would not dictate a high insurance premium. My insurance quotes have never been based horsepower numbers. I paid more for my old Mustang GT every six months than I do for the Camaro, and I have been quoted as a Vette being cheaper to insure for myself than the Camaro.

About the 325Hp engine, I realize you threw it in their for guys who want a v8 but don't need all of the power. That being said, I still don't see a 5th gen getting 3 v8 options. This isn't the days of the 3rd gen any longer. To expect 3 v8 options in a single car line in 2008/2009 is somewhat unrealisitc.

 

why do people on here constantly keep wanting to reuse engine displacements that have been out for a long time now? The 5.3L and 6.0L engines came out in 99 with the trucks. They will be 10 years old by the time a Camaro hits the streets. Why not something original?

How about a 5.6L? Take the L92 block (4.065" bore) and put the LR4 (4.8L) crank (3.268" stroke) in it. 339cid It would be a modern successor to the 302.

Or even a step further and take the LS7 block (4.125" bore) and put the LS2 crank (3.622" stroke) in it for a 6.4L.

Or a step further than that with the LS7 block and LR4 crank for 349cid and 5.7L

Or since OEMs are getting more into small bore and long stroke engines, take the L92 block (4.065" bore) and put the LS7 crank (4.000" stroke) in to get 415cid or 6.8L.

And here is one that I think would be a great truck engine. Take the 4.8/5.3L block (3.78" bore) and put the LS7 crank (4.00" stroke) in to get a 5.9L or 359cid stump puller that would be great for emmissions.

I really could care less what 6 cylinder motor they use as long as it is competitive with the Nissan VQ35.

 

Does anyone remember an SS 339? or an SS 359? or how about a 415 Yenko?

the reason displacement numbers are "re-used" is because they have a reputation behind them. People connect with familiar names/numbers.

On top of that, it would make absolutely no sense to modify the existing engines. The Gen IV motors are perfectly fine as they are. The 5.3L and 6.0L truck engines are also different from the Gen IV motors. The 5.3L LS4 is not the same as the 5.3L truck engine, nor is the 6.0L LS2 the same as the LQ4/LQ9 engines. When the Camaro hits the streets, the Gen IV motors will only be about 4 years old.

 

Ok I’m going to try and reel everyone in one more time…..

First off don’t expect more than 3 engines total.
Keep in mind that 3 is pushing it too. It cost lots of money to certify each engine.

Even the 4th gen LS1 had to be certified twice for the SS and Z28.

Second, hp will not sell this car to the masses. Don’t even try to argue it.

Yes, I know…. around here performance is everything, but to the everyday person it doesn’t matter. Ford is selling thousands of GT’s with only 300hp.

Don’t expect the LS7, LS9, forced induction V6 or V8, blah, blah, blah ,or any kind of complex expensive hand built engine.

We keep complaining about cost of the over all car. It doesn’t make sense business wise to go spend millions certifying a motor that will only sell to enthusiast and won’t even sell that many units.

Once again only a few enthusiasts will spend just under $40k for a Camaro.

We all know we will have V6 base car, obviously the 3.9L seems to be the choice. 240 hp will be more than enough.

That leaves two more motors.

Realistically speaking who here thinks the average Joe need more than 350 hp on the street as a daily driver?

Shoot I don’t even think the average guy needs that much.

Yes I realize the competition with have a Challenger with 400+hp and a Mid range Mustang that will soon have probably around 325hp.

But realize this...... the Challenger will cost close to $35k to $40k.

We can have a 350hp midrange Camaro that easily beats the Challenger price and isnt that far away from its performace....and remember this is our mid level Camaro..

Then for just a few thousand dollars more this Midlevel SS can beat the 300 to 325 hp Mustang in both the twisties and the drag strip.

That’s why a 5.3L 350hp mid level SS makes sense. If you have to have an SS with more hp, I say let the LS2 be an option.

But give the LS2 to the Z28 as its only motor choice. I’d say a realistic estimate would be between 425 to 450 hp. But that’s maxed out.

There it is, 3 engines with a realistic outlook.

If you want more hp GM will be backing this cars aftermarket and so will everyone else.

Does anyone in here honestly plan on keeping their car stock anyway

I Know I’m not.

(Sorry for the long post, but it had to be said)

 

You're really close to me Stars. I'm thinking along the same lines, only.....
Base-3.9, optional 5.3

SS-standard 5.3 (but SS gets the rims, spoilers, hood, suspension, ect. to differentiate it from the base V8. Optional 6.2 or 7.0....whatever the top engine is

Z/28-top engine only. All the performance stuff, limited fluff.

 

Yes, we are aware of that. The point has been made over and over again on this board. The car that the masses flock to is typically the v6 though. There are some v8 owners out there that actually care what kind of power their engines make. This is extremely true for the highest performance Camaro. Those are sold based on their performance. Look at how many 03 Cobras sold compared to 01s. I am sure it is no coincidence.

240 seems like too little. The Dodge may be in the 270s, and te 3.5 Duratec that could find home in the Mustang in a few years will be around 255.


We have yet to hear another confirmation on this, but the 400+Hp Challenger won't be going for $35k-$40k. If the info to this point has been accurate, it will go for $28k, and it won't be the highest model available. Its the Mustang's job to get its *** kicked around by all of its competition, not a Camaro's. The Camaro will need to be making more than 350HP, if it wants to remain competitive from a performance aspect, if the information on the Challenger is accurate.


I have always been suspicious of a 5.3 actually finding its way into a 5th gen. I honestly don't believe it will happen, unless somehow the car actually has 3 different v8 options (which I doubt). I am also hard pressed to believe it will have DoD, being that even the mid level Camaro is a performance car. I guess only time will tell. The thing that will sell this car is its styling. People will put up with any of its vices if they think the car is cool. Some of you guys want the new Camaro to be a full sipping, 300hp luxury mobile, which the car is not. I wonder how many new Mustangs would not have sold if the engine drank premiuim instead of regular? My guess would be that the sales numbers would still be pretty similiar.

 

I don't like a 240hp version, I'd like to see it at least comparable to an import V6. We've had 240hp 6's for nearly a decade...
I'd like to see it, right now, between 260-275hp...ofcourse w/o the grunt of 8 cylinders, it won't be as fast as an older Z.
Here's my list...
3.9L = 275hp
5.3L = 325hp (+50hp)
6.0L = 375hp (+50hp)
LS7 = 450hp (+75hp)

Even a Pacifica V6 has 250hp, and a PT Cruiser GT has 230...it's gotta compare to the likes of these, powerwise, I would think?

 

I agree on the v6 part. 240 is getting alittle stale now. A v6 Accord comes with 240, and you can get an v6 Altima with more than that. The v6 Charger comes with more than that as well. If 270 could be done out of the GM v6 without a noticable addition to cost, I say go for it. This is a sporty car. Don't let the current sedans on the market have more hp than it.