What if the "midlevel" V8 were around 400 hp? Just throwing that out....

 

That would be a dumb move. 400hp is too much for the average person. Hell, the 300hp in a mustang GT is too much for most people.

Everyone keeps talking about how the sheer performance of the 4th gens put off a lot of people and then we talk about things like a 400hp midlevel v8. If the car weighed 3900 to 4000lbs, then it might be acceptable. Even then it would still run ls1 times!

 

Guy, I sorta get what you mean, but not entirely...

I believe the SS will have its own engine. Lets assume at this point that the SS slots below the Z28, and the SS will get the LS2/3/whatever the hell a 400-425hp V8 is at that time. Can we still work under the assumption we will get 2 different displacements, with a Z28 getting a blown version of the SS motor?

The reason I bring this up now is simple...in the past, some people have mentioned about V6s like Nissan's VQ having 330hp in the next few years, which would make a 325-350hp 5.3 Camaro look weak. Others have mentioned a mid level engine should be a V6 because a mid level buyer might be turned off from a V8 due to MPG penalties, whether they be real or perceived...

I say bullsh*t to the above...

The Mustang GT is selling like hotcakes near $25k with a 300hp V8. Bring out a 5th gen with a comparable engine at a comparable price to a Mustang GT in 24 months, and it too will sell like hotcakes...

Who here, who PLANS TO SPEND THE MONEY, would not want a 5.3 DoD M6 Camaro coupe for around $26k that could get 32 MPG highway, SOUND like a V8, FEEL like a V8, and keep with a Mustang GT?

Ok, now who would want the same car, with the same power, with 2 less cylinders under the hood, and comparable MPG??

That's what I thought. BTW, I want people responding to this post who WILL ACTUALLY BUY A CAR LIKE THE ONE DESCRIBED ABOVE. I don't need HP junkies who couldn't care less...to me, this is pretty damn important to the program, and myself personally. I want my V8 Camaro, and I don't want to spend $30k to get it...

Charlie,
I know exactly where you're going, but I can't see GM offering that kind of power at a Mustang GT price level...I just can't. If they did? I wouldn't say no...but I don't need it. I'd prefer a 325-350hp 5.3 that runs on 87 and gets 32 MPG to a 425hp 6.2 that gets 26-27 MPG on 93...

 

I would love for the base Camaro to have the LS4 with 303hp (or whatever that engine is putting out in 2009). The idea of having the base Camaro have more displacement, more torque, more horsepower, and better gas mileage than a Mustang GT really sits well with me.

Unfortunately, 303hp is probably too much for most buyers, and would turn some potential buyers away. So taking that into account, I think the 240hp 3.9 HF V6 is probably the best choice for a base powerplant.

Alternatively, a good traction control and stability control system makes 303hp fine for the average driver... it'd be great to get that stuff as standard equipment. I want to be able to completely and independently disable both systems, though!

 

At first I thought, Well all I want is 320-350HP (10-11lbs. per HP) and a price around $26K...but then I got thinking I can't imagine paying that much for a Camaro with out a V8. I'll miss that rumble too much

330HP 5.3L DoD that gets 30mpg hwy on regular would be the perfect engine for my price range.

I think there will be a lot of people that don't get insurance

Then the top engine would be either a 6.2, 6.4, or 7.0L hmm...

 

Again just throwing this out there....

What if, it had 390-400 hp, ran on unleaded, got 30 MPG and sold for, oh say $27-$28K?

What position would that put Mustang GT in?

 

Deep sh*t, probably...

I don't know...the 5.3 seems to make so much sense, but I understand your argument...

 

So basically what Guy is saying is what I was already suggesting...

Camaro's base motor could be a V8 and there would be another "bigger" V8 for the Camaro SS.

If these trim levels are priced competitively with Ford's offerings, I don't see a problem.

 

So you're saying that Camaro should top out at around 400 hp, right?

 

And I'm not disagreeing with you Jason. Just playing devil's advocate.

 

That’s great! but..........

When we get this 400+hp motor who here will actually buy the 300+hp 5.3L?

No one, none of us enthusiasts will care, we are all going to buy SS's and Z28's. (Well except for you Jason)

I think for marketing value a V6 sounds better to the common person.

The most successfull set up in my eyes?
2 V6s
2 V8s
Something for everyone

 

If GM powertrain could do a "base" LS2 that incorporated everything you just mentioned, it would make the purchase of a similar-priced Mustang GT seem a bit foolish. I just don't know how possible that would be.

We have the DOD 5.3 LS4 running 303 HP on 87 octane right now, so it would seem like the proven, logical choice for the economy-minded V8 enthusiast. Heck, the LS4 is getting near 30 MPG in front drive applications with a 4 speed auto as it is...imagine what we could get with the T56 behind it.

 

You have to remember we are going to have all new V8s and V6s by the time the 5th gen hits the streets.

I think its ok to throw out current powerplants names for comparing power levels…….

But……..

Don’t think for a second we are actually going to see any of these current engines in a few years.

 

Who said anything about an LS2?

 

I disagree. If the vehicle has the suspension and brakes to match the output, it will not put off a lot of people. I would love 400HP for the least money that we can get. As long as the suspension and brakes can competently handle it, I say bring it on!