The same is true here. It all depends on the make and model.

 

Its amazing what happens when you offer 4-5 different V8 engines at once. Up untill the 4th gen, there were always optional V8 engines. Hell, in 92, you had a choice of 3 V8's.

Had I had access to such numbers, I would have made my case for an L76 powerd Camaro even better. I can honestly say that an L76 option for the 2LT would have been awesome and given GM a killer vehicle and something to close the power gap from V6 to V8, not to mention put out a vehicle closer to the RT/GT.
If only the other Zeta cars were given the green light, this would have made a very cheap and easy move, IMO.

 

This was something that was considered or at least discussed, Al. The concern was the cannibalization of SS sales.

 

Well, based on the above info, having more V8 options means more options and more sales.
I think that having that V8 would stop anyone that says either
1) SS makes too much power
2) SS is too expensive
3) I want a V8 but without all the additional stuff
4) Anyone crosshopping the GT/RT.

 

Agreed. The SS is more car than wifey wants, therefore, I am stuck w/ her getting a V6. I know it's a great V6, but a major player in Fcars for me is the V8 sound. An L76, or heck, even an LS1 level engine, would have been an absolute deal sealer for us, wouldn't have canibalized any SS sales, and it would have made GM MORE money!

In 1992, it cost us $358 dollars to upgrade our RS from a V6 to V8. Today, that number is $6300 from a 1LT to a 1SS, or $6800 from a 2LT to a 2SS, that's about an 1800% increase in cost from the 1992. I know you get the brakes too, but frankly, we don't need em. A 360ish hp L76 V8 option on the 2LT would have had me dancing in the streets. Oh well.

 

Yep, and I honestly think that if there were more then one Zeta car at Oshawa, that the L76 would play a massive roll in the existance of such cars like the Impala and play such a large part in cars like the G8.
Camaro 2LT with 6.0 AFM with 6spd auto only, getting 26mpg with 2LT's brakes, starts at 27k, 2LT/RS is 29,995.
Seriously...it would sell like gangbusters.

 

I like the idea as it would be a nice competitor to the Mustang GT. It would be just enough car for most of the V8 buyers who find the Mustang GT auto to be a nice sporty car to enjoy.

I just wonder if deep in the meeting rooms that the decision was made to cut options like this because GM is really worried about CAFE. It would only stand to reason if it was a large factor in what almost killed Zeta that it would cut multiple V8 options for the any survivor. I think for them they'd rather have the automatic Mustang GT type buyer in the V6 Camaro.

 

I can understand, but I would figure that its cheaper to build an engine like the L76, combined with the more common suspension and brake system, that the profit margin would be higher on a L76 car vs the 3.6 or even the SS car, percentage wise anyway.

The LS/LT with 304hp is gunna be a fun car, no doubt. But some people just want a V8, and they dont want a V6.
If GM had more money, Zeta moved foward, and we had a full size cars, this would be a great way to increase market share in the coupe market for what seems to be a small price.
Only problem it would be ONLY automatic.

 

You folks are aware that GM and the other car manufaturers who have received assistance need to report to the taxpayers < government > about what actions are being taken to turn business around. Fuel economy and emission are somthing else being considered as well.

Who here would like to sell financing an intermediate V-8 program for a Sports car to Congress? Do you think you might possibly get a request to kill the higher horsepower offering in the process? Think V-8's are popular politics on Capital Hill?

 

I don't know, but I'm sure Obama liked his Chrysler 300 w/ the HEMI engine that he bought a few years ago...

And as far as selling V8s to congress, If the plan was a moneymaker, and could generate IMMEDIATE bottom line relief, I would think congress would be in favor of it, rather than asking GM to kill popular cars that people want to buy and force them to make money losing eco cars that nobody wants.

 

I bet I could pull off a better sales job then the three of them did.
Congress wants to see repaying of the loan, not that its repayed with "green" money.

But my plan would be before the whole economic disaster. Even still, a higher profit margin from a L76 car would be good for Camaro, and it captures people now that they dotn have 35-40k to spend on an SS, but stillw ant a V8 car. They could continue to capture people looking for an affordable V8 Camaro.

 

I'm looking for a pic of the President in either his personal V-8 or smoking a cigarette. Both of which I'm certain he does, but not a regular photo op offered up.

I salute your optimism regarding Congress being "for" whatever products turn a profit. It will certainly become apparent soon.

I think we all know how little politics or sacred cows played into the money delegated to save jobs this weekend.

We can all be confident it was all well thought out and crafted to be the best use of the money being considered.

 

How is an L76 a higher profit car? One can buy an SS for $31K.

I spend a lot of time with Camaro intenders. I'll grant it's not all intenders that are out there, but I will tell you that no mention is made about how great a lower HP V-8 would be. Believe me, I listen closely.

There's a lot of positive reaction over a 304HP V-6. Many that find the V-6 appealing say "That's all you need".

Many relish the L99 or LS3 numbers.

Any requests for different offerings have been requests for BIGGER HP numbers, not smaller.

I have heard no requests for a lesser V-8, ever.

Requests for a larger performance model called a Z/28? Well... it's a regular question..

I'm not selling your idea short. I just offer it's not a subject which car show attendees have ever brought up to me.

I hear LS7, LS9, LSA.... No mentions or requests for an L76.

There is certainly more discussion over interior lighting on the net than the lack of a Lower HP V-8.

 

While we're on the subject....

Many of us, (including me), having lobbied hard ----FOR YEARS --- on this one. And we won. Unfortunately, the predicament we find ourselves in now, pretty much precludes such a car from this gen.

My hope is that all that effort doesn't ultimately turn to vapor. That enough of the good people at GM, who saw eye to eye with us on this, still remain after all is said and done. And at some future time, we can get our Z/28.

 

One has to wonder whether car show attendees represent the average buyer, I think the answer is no. I would think most car show attendees are enthusiasts just like the participants on these boards. I would also guess that many "future buyers" will ask about options and packages that they will never buy, they want to know if the big engine is available when the reality is they will buy the V6. When I went to buy my first Camaro in '67 I wanted to know what all of the high performance options were "in case" I decided to get them, the reality is I bought the 2 barrel 327. What people talk and ask questions about is often very different then the reality when they have to put their money on the line. Would I be interested in an additional smaller V8 on the new Camaro? Probably not unless it was a special package like the DZ302 was back in the first gen.
Clyde