The 3.8L (200HP/230tq) is totally old school with pushrods and 2 valves per cylinder.
Here are GM's new V6s, These are dual overhead camshafts(4 valves per cylinder) with variable valve timing motors. Compared to the old 3.8L you can see how much more power they make:
2.8L (210HP/194tq):
The Chev equinox's 3.4L doesn't count becuase it's imported form China, and the Vue's 3.5L doesn't count because it's a Honda motor.
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2008 Black/Black GXP, purchased 7/23 right off the train.
Mod#1 blacked-out headlights
Mod#2 GMPP Intake -I like to hear my turbo.
Mod#3 Special Sauce
Mod#4 Solo Street Race
'97 Burb.
"07 Charger R/T, Mama's car
Race #1 Charger 0 /Sol 1
Man, that 3.9L looks tall compared to the 3.6L in the CTS. And the 3.6's architecture and specs are better. Why not use that? Doesn't the Solstice already share the the CTS's rear end? And how about the Aisin AY6 6 speed manual as long as we're talking?
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#1 GXP at University Auto
Sly, 5-speed shifter, Ebony Leather seats w red accent stitching, Polished Wheels, Air, CD, Monsoon, Sport Metallic Pedals, Splash Guards and Premium Headliner.
The Cadillac's 3.6L would be awesome for the Sol or maybe even a better match in the Sky. My parents have a SRX with the 3.6L and that motor does and excellent job of moving that SUV around. It's pretty expensive though with the DOHC, VVT, aluminum block, etc.. It seems like a 6 cylinder Northstar. Wow four phases of valve timing!
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2008 Black/Black GXP, purchased 7/23 right off the train.
Mod#1 blacked-out headlights
Mod#2 GMPP Intake -I like to hear my turbo.
Mod#3 Special Sauce
Mod#4 Solo Street Race
'97 Burb.
"07 Charger R/T, Mama's car
Race #1 Charger 0 /Sol 1
Man, that 3.9L looks tall compared to the 3.6L in the CTS. And the 3.6's architecture and specs are better. Why not use that? Doesn't the Solstice already share the the CTS's rear end? And how about the Aisin AY6 6 speed manual as long as we're talking?
I don't think the 3.6 has a very large aftermarket following. I mean I know you can get headers & a cat back but beyond that & intake there isn't much out for them as far as I know.... because of that you can't take it too far w/o spending alot of money.
I have been very happy with the 4200 Vortech in my Envoy. I think it is a great engine and wondered why it wasn't in anything else except trucks. After seeing the posted pics earlier in this thread I see it is a tough fit in most other bodies. The 2.4 Twin Cam in my Grand Am GT has been a good engine. Other things with the Grand Am haven't been as solid.
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#1 GXP at University Auto
Sly, 5-speed shifter, Ebony Leather seats w red accent stitching, Polished Wheels, Air, CD, Monsoon, Sport Metallic Pedals, Splash Guards and Premium Headliner.
Man, that 3.9L looks tall compared to the 3.6L in the CTS. And the 3.6's architecture and specs are better. Why not use that? Doesn't the Solstice already share the the CTS's rear end? And how about the Aisin AY6 6 speed manual as long as we're talking?
The 3.9L is much much cheaper then the 3.6L so I'm guessing thats' why it would be in the SOl. I'm hoping the GXP gets the AY6. The T56 Speed is essentially a four speed with two additional over drives. The AY6 should be a close ratio 5 Speed with one over drive.
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2008 Black/Black GXP, purchased 7/23 right off the train.
Mod#1 blacked-out headlights
Mod#2 GMPP Intake -I like to hear my turbo.
Mod#3 Special Sauce
Mod#4 Solo Street Race
'97 Burb.
"07 Charger R/T, Mama's car
Race #1 Charger 0 /Sol 1
The 3.9L is much much cheaper then the 3.6L so I'm guessing thats' why it would be in the SOl. I'm hoping the GXP gets the AY6. The T56 Speed is essentially a four speed with two additional over drives. The AY6 should be a close ratio 5 Speed with one over drive.
I'm holding out for at least one more year. The GXP with the AY6 would be a great choice, but I have always lusted after the coupe. 255 hp / 252 tq in a NA engine would be a sweet daily driver.
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#1 GXP at University Auto
Sly, 5-speed shifter, Ebony Leather seats w red accent stitching, Polished Wheels, Air, CD, Monsoon, Sport Metallic Pedals, Splash Guards and Premium Headliner.
I think that it is the plastic hats that they put on new engines that make them more powerful and economical. After all you never saw those kinds of numbers before the hats.........think about it
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BIX A BEL Cool, Ebony leather, Chrome, loaded, no XM/onstar Founding member of the "Lost Sols Club"
Deposit (1100) - 9/29/05, 1101/1102 - 2 Feb 06, 2500 - 7 Feb 06, 3000 - 8 Feb 06, 3100 - 13 Feb 06, 3300 - 13 Feb 06, 3400 - 14 Feb 06, 3800 - 24 Feb 06 (112544), 4000 - 24 Feb 06, 4150 - 24 Feb 06
dealer expected deliver 6 March, arrived 28 Feb, picked up that night w 3.2 miles on the clock :)
NOT WAITING ANY MORE!
I think that it is the plastic hats that they put on new engines that make them more powerful and economical. After all you never saw those kinds of numbers before the hats.........think about it
GM has finally learned what so many others have know for awhile.... Plastice engine covers make it faster
I guess those plastic hats are supposed to keep the noise level down...? Has anyone taken theirs off their Sol yet? It would be kind of cool to remove the hat and polish up the valve cover on the Sol.
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2008 Black/Black GXP, purchased 7/23 right off the train.
Mod#1 blacked-out headlights
Mod#2 GMPP Intake -I like to hear my turbo.
Mod#3 Special Sauce
Mod#4 Solo Street Race
'97 Burb.
"07 Charger R/T, Mama's car
Race #1 Charger 0 /Sol 1
I guess those plastic hats are supposed to keep the noise level down...? Has anyone taken theirs off their Sol yet? It would be kind of cool to remove the hat and polish up the valve cover on the Sol.
Someone had it off and did some sound clips with and without. There was talk about polishing the valve cover and leaving the hat off. If I remember correctly there wasn't much noise difference, but I don't think he took it down the road.
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BIX A BEL Cool, Ebony leather, Chrome, loaded, no XM/onstar Founding member of the "Lost Sols Club"
Deposit (1100) - 9/29/05, 1101/1102 - 2 Feb 06, 2500 - 7 Feb 06, 3000 - 8 Feb 06, 3100 - 13 Feb 06, 3300 - 13 Feb 06, 3400 - 14 Feb 06, 3800 - 24 Feb 06 (112544), 4000 - 24 Feb 06, 4150 - 24 Feb 06
dealer expected deliver 6 March, arrived 28 Feb, picked up that night w 3.2 miles on the clock :)
NOT WAITING ANY MORE!
I don't plan on doing anything for awhile as the wife will crap if I rip the motor out before I have it for at least a year.
I was looking at Turbocharged 3800 V6 because it is readily avail. and tuner parts are fairly cheap and my mechanic came out with a tape measure a level and about two hours later said he could do it. Another friend builds trannies for a living, another is an old school body man that makes parts for old insanely expensive car restorations. They all think 3.8 is the best cost/performance ratio. The article on the Mallet talks about the need for traction and that is exactly what all of these guys said. Since my abilities are limited as well as my pocketbook, this option makes the most sense FOR ME.
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Not the one I ordered but love what I got: Cool, ebony int.,polished, ABS, LSD, all others but XM, On Star and I will miss the Monsoon. MSRP and nothing more.
I have been planning a twin turbo V8 for my kappa since the beginning. With that much power most everything else needs to be upgraded too. When it shows up its going straight into the shop and its going to be torn down to the frame and built back up from there. If you guys are interested I might be able to setup a side business selling performance solstice parts, suspensions, brakes, bodys, pretty much anything other than the frame. The engine I have planned will be a destroked LS1 with aftermarket twin cam heads, and a few other goodies. I still have a long ways to go before this car hits the track but if all is done correctly then I should have one of the fastest kappas.
Another devilish idea I had was to move some things around and shoehorn in a BMW V12, I know it wont fit without major mods but just imagine that exhaust note!
and YES I probably should be committed
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Starting up a business to make parts for you guys! Let me know what you are interested in!
Avatar is the 1954 Corvair Dream Car, My most favorite car of all time!
GM has finally learned what so many others have know for awhile.... Plastice engine covers make it faster
