While there may not be a huge efficiency savings between the 4.8 and 5.3 keep in mind there isn't a AFM version in the smaller displacement. I'd actually like to see them go even smaller; perhaps has small as 4.0L. It would be interesting to see how a DI/AFM 4.0L V8 would compare in both efficiency and power to say the current DI V6. I would think 350-400hp could be possible with a slightly better highway fuel mileage in 4-cylinder mode.

 

I think the High Feature V6 can go as large as 4.0L. I see no reason to build a V8 with the displacement of a large V6. That would be like making a 2.4L V6, whats the point. Your spending all that money on extra parts, why not make them a little larger to get some decent power.

The smallest I can see doing a V8 is 5.0L. Even Fords 4.6L doesn't look too good up against modern V6's. It is only 9hp ahead of the Camaro V6. 4.6L vs. Ecoboost V6, forget about it.

 

I agree; however some people have a stigma against anything but a V8 as the top Camaro drivetrain. I for one would love to see a turbo version of the current 3.6L DI/V6 and would have nothing against seeing them move toward that direction. But, if folks demand and want a V8, a smaller more efficient V8 might be able to achieve the same performance without being boosted.

 

Any guesses on Gen V fuel economy numbers?

 

I personally wouldnt mind seeing a smaller displacement , direct injected , and turbocharged series of V8's . That would be one viable option for both higher hp figures and high fuel mileage .

 

Oddly enough I was asking someone at Bosch about that last night and got an interesting response. Tuning for emissions vs power vs mpg are all different - but now it has come to tuning for one govt regulation or another. As such, I don't think you'll see much of a difference on the window stickers, but as far as CAFE is concerned the GenV will be a good improvement.

In trucks - 7-10% once the dust has settled and a year or two of refinement has gone by. Cars a little better, maybe as much as 13% in cars with lower drag like the Vette (especially combined with smaller displacement engines and some weight reduction). I could see slightly higher though as time goes on.

But again, the gearing and tunes will probably be more optimized for CAFE testing, as that is now the bigger worry. Anyone who's going to buy a Corvette won't care about 2mpg more vs 3mpg more. But CAFE will care a LOT.

If I were a betting man, I'd bet if you took a C7 and held 65mph in Montana for 800 miles, you'd average in the upper 30s for mpg.

 

Being the owner of an AFM car, I'm not all that impressed. The G8 runs in AFM mode infrequently, and when it does, it's a 3.0 liter 4cyl without a balance shaft. You give up a fair amount of peak power too by adding valvetrain mass.

I know from your previous posts that you like the small V8s. But I believe there's a very good reason you don't see very many of them.

 

I think the bigger statement is that a C7, or any non-hybrid car, could go 800 miles on a take of gas....


As for this, I guess the question is what would you rather have, given that they would put out the same power, the twin turbo 6 or the V8?
This brings up yet another question involving the M3. Lots of 3 series guys have found that they could a lot more power out of the 335i over the M3.
Id like to see the V8 remain under one of the Camaros, but I do wish for the TTV6 to make its way to the Camaro as well.

 

Oddly enough at 13 the car that got me hooked on Camaros was a 68 SS/RS 396. However I've never owned a car with a "big engine". My first car was a 67 Chevelle with a 283. My daily driver is an 02 Tahoe with the 4.8L. Even my current 67 Camaros started life as base V8s with the 210hp 327. (Although one currently has a Vortec 350.) My ideal truck today would have a 4.8L V8 and a A6 (sans AFM). However I really do like what GM is doing with the 3.6L DI/V6. Truth be told, if they offered a turbo version that put out L99 hp, I don't think I'd get an SS. (The V6 Camaro simply looks cleaner without the mail slot.)

My idea for a small V8 is simply to appease the "Camaro must have a V8" crowd. A smaller, lighter 6th gen probably doesn't need 450+hp. So if GM can get 5th gen V8 performance out of a turbo V6, I'm all for it. (But I seriously would love to have a turbo diesel option.)

 

If it was overbuilt like the mustang guys got with the Cobras, then yes. If not, no.

Europe does things differently for insurance purposes, vehicle taxes and emissions nonsense, which helps explain why BMW was so set on staying with the I6 for so long - and now with the 335i I wonder which engine is cheaper for BMW to build. I wonder which will eventually win in the long run for BMW...

For Camaro, I know a DI DOHC V6 is more expensive than a DI Pushrod V8. Add intercoolers and piping, the turbos themselves, higher heat rated components and more durability testing and the TT V6 is a very expensive proposal where you can kiss your profit margin goodbye. Then you'll likely have higher warranty costs as well.

That eats the bottom line straight out from under you - and is one major reason the V8 won out for the Mustang.

The major problem with the G8 is simply the vehicle weight. If the vehicle were 300lb lighter and had less drag, it'd run a lot more often and show better fuel numbers. Luckily, Direct Injection will make the AFM more effective by helping with wash-down and generate more power when in 4cylinder mode, making the AFM advantage more substantial at the pump.

 

Actually, I belive that the TT3.0 will be replaced with a single turbo, and that a higher output one will replace the V8 in the next gen M3, much like the twin turbo V8 will replace the V10 in the M5.

 

3V heads? Why? Especially on a pushrod V8? It would add cost, complexity, size, and weight when it's not neccessary. The current rectangular port heads are under-utilized as it is.

 

Good point, the new L92 heads flow like a monster, no need for the valves.

 

didn't read thru the entire thread -- but there are only two choices in this poll - so I guess my question is: Why do a poll if you aren't going to offer more choices????

 

So "top dog" might not be TT V6 or NA V8?! TT V8?! Sweet!