If it doesn't get a SC engine, I can see the top Camaro V8 being a 6.2 with an LS7 level of tune.

Below that, I can see a 6.2 tuned more conservatively but with similar output as the current LS2.

Below that, some version of the 5.3.

And below that a V6.

Or, perhaps a more powerful V6 that would replace the last two.

The debate we should be having is, will the midlevel motor be a 5.3 or a 6.2?

 

It could be something like this,
LS3 450hp. replacing the LS2

three levels of LS9, all s.c. replacing the LS7 and starting at 550hp. up to 650 hp. two engines and one truck engine with different h.p. and torque ranges.

 

Midlevel?

 

Personally I think a naturally aspirated 6.2 in a state of very mild tune is the more likely alternative to a 5.3 in a state of higher tune. It would make sense to me from a manufacturing standpoint that the 6.2 be used as a midlevel motor, and could also be used as a high level motor, with a very performance oriented tune, or a form of forced induction. I am extremely suspicious of ever seeing the 5.3 in the 5th gen at all.

Also, for all you guys that are desperate to see 87 octane being recommended for the midlevel v8, I think the 6.2 is the way to go about that.

 

This one is for Jason E:

What if you could get a midlevel 6.2 for what we assume the price would be for a midlevel 5.3?

 

I think the LS2 will be phased out in favor of the LS3. With the winds blowing in the "no LS7" direction it is looking like:

V6 -- ~250hp
5.3L V8 (LS4?) ~325hp
LS3 ~430-450hp

<----non-winkie club

 

No, because its either going to be massively detuned or its going to have way too much HP.

If the jump is from a 250 or even 270hp V6 to a 375hp V8 then the "mid level" idea is worthless, as big hp scares off many buyers.

 

Yeah Chris, but what if the V6 puts out substantially more power?

 

Then we run the danger of over HP-ing the whole lineup.

Even if the V6 is 320hp its still not a V8, and with a lineup whose lowest HP V8 is at or near 400hp leaves a massive hole for people that want modestly powered V8 coupes.

 

Alright, here's my .02...

Without a doubt, the 6.2 probably costs GM no more money to build than a 5.3, seeing as how they both are aluminum blocks/heads, similar construction, same amount of pieces, same DoD technology, etc. The THEORY I have been working under from Day One here regarding the 5.3 as the base engine option is...

1) A 5.3 will inherently get better MPG than a 6.2...can you say 31-32 MPG with DoD and an M6?? If the LS1 got 28 with an M6, 31 doesn't seem like too far of a stretch! Also, the concept LS2 claims 30 MPG...

2) 87 Octane, anyone? I imagine the 6.2s will be calibrated for premium, although no one is stopping GM from making an 87 octane version. I HOPE GM is not so silly as they are with the LS4 in the Ws, and expect a $25k V8 buyer to slurp premium in their new Camaro...

3) I doubt GM will give you 400hp for $25k...that just seems to be too good to be true. 340 or so will more than do at that level...325 is fine, too. If they give the base V8 too much power, people might not step up to an SS. If they don't give one at all, then we're back to the big gap we had with the fourths...less sales, more $$$$ for the entry into V8 world, etc...

4) They need a docile V8 engine option...granted, I don't view 325hp docile in a 3,600 lb car, but that seems to be where the market is going...

5) The Mustang GT, at its price and performance level, needs to be mirrored. Its a grand slam in the marketplace. We need a 325hp or so car at $25k...we NEED IT.

6) Charlie, what is up with the theory that the 325hp V8 may be too close to a V6? Are we talking a 300hp base engine these days? Did I miss something here? I was working under the assumption the 3.9 was a shoo-in...and at 240hp, it seems great...

Just my .02...

 

Here's a thought I haven't heard yet, which engine will likely be more accomodating to hop up? plus, there could be a marketing scenario to offer a lower cost V8 that would allow people to spend that cash on motor and/or body mods.

If you're about to ask why someone would initially save money on the engine to put it right back in again, I couldn't tell you, but in this segment, the 'tinkering' crowd is pretty big. Maybe they are really into super-or-turbocharging, and by getting the base V8 they have the cash to get the blower they other wouldn't be able to with the premium engine. Or the base V8 lets them dress the car up first and then work on the motor, and subsiquently, the suspension?

 

All this close to or above 300hp V6 talk is stupid. If you look at all the cars that have that much hp in a V6, the V6 is their only engine, and its the top of the line. We dont NEED that with the Camaro, we need a cheap reliable V6 engine that no one is afraid to buy because of insurance costs or because it MIGHT have too much hp. 250-275hp MAX is whats needed for the new Camaro. I mean for christs sake, my Z28 only is rated at 285hp. The V6 model is not meant to be the burner, its meant to be just what it is, the cheap base model. As ive said a million times, a 325-350hp V8 is needed for the next step up in performance, then a 400+hp model, then if we are all super good kids and get super lucky, maybe a 475+hp model as well.

 

AMEN

 

Like I said in the other thread . HP figures keep climbing and with even better fuel economy and emissions per variation , I dont see anything to curb it . It seems not very logical now , but I wouldnt bet against the NA 6.2L LS3 being the base V8 ....possibly with a less aggressive cam profiles in the Camaro version , coupled with a little more restrictive exhaust manifolds , it could come off the 450 hp rating a bit . Rated at 400 hp to stay true concepts claim , I lost count how many times they preached 400 hp with the concept . But actual output may be a little closer 425 hp . GM underrate a engine , noooooooo The fact that the Camaro is gonna be piggy weight wise , makes me think even more its gonna take 400 or so hp Camaro to run with a 2002 LS1 powered Camaro SS . What is 400 hp GTO with a LS2 . Its a very low 13 sec car . Look at the big difference there was from the 350 hp LS1 in the GTO to the LS2 GTO . A lower output V8 would make for car possibly slower than a 04 GTO . In a 3700-3800 lb car , I would tend to wanna take the higher HP of a LS3 , and take some of the bite out with a less aggressive rear gear . Less gear = gas mileage Why strain a lower output V8 to tug along a fat car? That to me = less efficiency and less gas mileage .

As far as the top motor . I still think the cowl hood on the concept is there for a reason . Its not functional one bit , but it should would make alot of clearance for a blower , just like what they did on the STS . The nostalgia of small cowl I think is just a nice side effect

 

I don't know, in a couple of years, Nissan's V6 will have 330hp.