GM Shows 2009 Changes!

[Masospaghetti]

Originally Posted by SwampFoxZ71

No, the 4.3L V6 lives on in the trucks. But the ohv v6 appears to be gone from the car lineup once the 3800 goes...

The China 3400, 3500, and 3900 are all OHV engines that still exist in GM's lineup. Hopefully the 3400 will be gone soon, but the 3500 and 3900 still live in the G6, Aura, Malibu (fleet version), Impala, and now the Lucerne.

Personally, I think the 3500/3900 would be a good choice for the Colorado and Canyon pickups to replace the mediocre Atlas engines.

[CadiEldo67]

Originally Posted by Masospaghetti

The China 3400, 3500, and 3900 are all OHV engines that still exist in GM's lineup. Hopefully the 3400 will be gone soon, but the 3500 and 3900 still live in the G6, Aura, Malibu (fleet version), Impala, and now the Lucerne.

Personally, I think the 3500/3900 would be a good choice for the Colorado and Canyon pickups to replace the mediocre Atlas engines.

I believe that the wonderfully built 3400 dies as of 2008, with the 3500 as its replacement. A good move as GM has had too many problems with their outsourced engine. Now that GM is eliminating most of its OHV varients, the HF V6 should include a smaller 2.5 and a 3.0 V6, for different applications across the board.

[Masospaghetti]

Originally Posted by atomicshark

It's good to see the Lucerne get a power boost with the 3.9L V6 but, it would have been better if it had the 3.6 that the cheaper Malibu and Aura have.

I bet GM has extra capacity for producing the 3.9, so this is by far a cheaper alternative...especially since the 3.6 only shines with the 6-speed, which GM also is short on capacity for.

[MrJamesMc]

On their website it even mentions bluetooth connectivity on the GMC Envoy.

It's as if I took over GM. =)

[skylark68]

The G5 is getting crappier every year unfortunately. The GT version doesn't even get a specific engine. Looks like all models are saddled with the 2.2 liter 4 now.

[ral1960]

Originally Posted by CadiEldo67

I believe that the wonderfully built 3400 dies as of 2008, with the 3500 as its replacement.

They haven't posted the Equinox yet, but the Torrent will still have the 3400 & 3.6.
I hope they keep the 3.5 around, but with GM cars getting heavier and the competition sporting DOHC, the magazines will rip them apart. As if we drive at 5000 rpm all the time.

[1487]

A GM rep in a MT interview said the G6 will be updated next year. I guess that will hold it over until a new EP2 model comes around in 3 years or so.

[DuSpinnst]

I want to upgrade to OnStar Generation 8 hardware. Let's hope GM allows for such things.

I wonder if people can upgrade older non-Nav-traffic Navs to Nav Traffic (for example 2008 Navs in the Lambda's to the 2009 system).

Both should work, in theory. The only question is wiring harness changes.

[BigAls87Z28]

Originally Posted by 1487

A GM rep in a MT interview said the G6 will be updated next year. I guess that will hold it over until a new EP2 model comes around in 3 years or so.

I talked to the man in charge of production development of Pontaic and Buick, there is no MCE for the G6 anytime soon.

[88ls1blazer]

Originally Posted by ogg vorbis

the LS1 block is $1500, while the 6L iron block is $500. 300% higher cost is not 'almost the same'. the C5R block is $6500 and can take 1000 hp. the LSX iron block is $1900 and can take 2500 hp. the 2JZ has a cast iron block, and street engines see north of 700 hp on stock parts.

the LS1 block was ALWAYS over priced. an LS2 block is usually ~800 new, and an iron ~500-600 brand new, 2-300 isn't much more.

I have NO idea where you get your HP figures from but LS* guys went bottom 8's 4+ years ago on stock cranks and a stock aluminum block. I am pretty sure in a 3400+ lb F-car it takes more then 1000hp to do so. As far as a C5r block, you would be insane to spend that much for what you got.

please explain to me how NVH is better on iron? Iron is a denser material then aluminum, automatically making it a more efficient transmitter of vibrations.

So in your mind (just to clarify) this is how aluminum looks:

300% more expensive then Iron (because companies LOVE to spend obscene money on parts used to production when a cheaper alternative is available)

Iron is stonger (yes, durability on engines is at an all time high, the use of cast iron is at an all time low... connection anyone?)

an Iron liner is difficult to deal with (companies like to make their workers LESS productive right?)

the aluminum barely helps with heat because it still has an iron liner (even though the iron liner is thin enough to rapidly dissipate heat into the aluminum which then cools at an even faster rate)

And aluminum engines lose combustion efficiency (even though increasing compression ratio with less heat adds efficency when compared to a lower cylinder pressure with more heat)

Am I understanding you logic correctly?

[SierraGS]

Some good stuff and still some misses, some items I noticed with a first glance:

Chevrolet
GM still needs a better equipped mid-level Malibu 1LT to compete with the Camry LE and 2LT to go against the SE.

GM needs to make some power train changes to the Colorado, it’s great the 5.3L V8 was finally added but GM needs a higher MPG base engine – be nice to see the Solstice 2.4L 5M/5A power train added, allowing GM to drop the 2.9L I-4 that from what I can gather is not a high MPG engine.

The 3.7L I-5 will be fine as a mid-level engine and will no doubt go on as long as the current Gen Colorado does.

GM did make some overdue 2009 HHR Changes
(ASF) front and rear outboard head curtain side-impact air bags are now standard on all models
(U2K) XM Satellite Radio is now standard on all models
(US8) AM/FM stereo with CD player and MP3 playback now standard on all models
(JL4) StabiliTrak electronic stability control system is now standard on all models
(NW9) All-speed, full-function traction control is now standard on all models
(JM4) 4-wheel antilock, front disc/rear drum brakes now standard on all LS and LT models
Front console now has 3 front cup holders except on SS models with manual transmission
(AA5) Solid rear quarter panel is now available on 1AU46 SS
Window switches moved to door
Revised dome lamp placement
Seat bolster material change

GMC
Sierra Denali finally gets some new paint colors as Steel Gray Metallic replaces Silver Birch Metallic and Sonoma Red Metallic is added

I was hoping Midnight Blue Metallic and Stealth Gray Metallic would have made the addition list too, but at least a backup camera and heated and cooled seats were added along with E-85 capability

As above the Solstice 2.4L 5M/5A needs added to the Canyon for MPG.

One question: Does anyone know when the 4.5L Turbo Diesel is to be added to the GMT900?

Thought it was 2009 MY but not sure, and it maybe added later as NSAP stated this is not a final list by any means.

[TimR]

Originally Posted by PositiveAboutGM

On the half-ton pickups, no regular cab trucks get the 6-speed.

If true, that stinks. Everyone else offers any of their engine/tranny combos in the reg cab yet GM always treats them like second class. More lost customers (including me at upgrade time) if they don't smarten up.

[SAngelo]

When will we see the rest of the 2009 changes ? I think there will be minor interior changes to the G6 ,mainly to the center stack like a Corporate Radio and maybe brushed aluminum which is all this car really needs before a totally new one comes out.

Now since I know the Lucerne/DTS and Impala won't receive the 6 speed in any engine variant due to the inability of the W or G-Body to handle the additional gears, I think GM should bring the Holden Park Avenue, a new Impala etc here ASAP. You can't continue to hold onto these dated platforms before it really starts affecting sales and perception if it hasn't already. I know the Impala sells but a big chunk are fleet sales. What is a realistic timetable for these two platforms to go away in favor of the new ones ? Ridding themselves of these platforms in favor of new models with 6 speeds, GM will be on their way.

[JM9777]

FYI

If you go to the Discussion area of the forums, under each brand is a thread containing all of the 2009 changes and links to the full Model Information books for almost every model, all posted by caddycruiser.

[DuSpinnst]

Originally Posted by JM9777

FYI

If you go to the Discussion area of the forums, under each brand is a thread containing all of the 2009 changes and links to the full Model Information books for almost every model, all posted by caddycruiser.

CaddyCruiser has a lot of time on his hands obviously.