The Coming Pickup Truck Powertrain Dilemma

[red_rider]

Originally Posted by tamatt27

I wonder is GM has seriously looked into a DI 6-cyl gas engine for the trucks... Direct Injection is more fuel efficient AND produces more power, why not have a DI V6 take over the roll for the 5.3? Have the DI V6 (gas), 2-mode 5.3 V8 (gas), small diesel, Duramax?

Or just a DI 4.8 or DI 5.3?

[C/K Man]

I think you still will see the 6.0L (or larger) gas V-8's in HD pickups. CAFE is not a factor, and many can't justify the added expense of a diesel if the vehicle isn't driven too much. BTW- diesel is $4.99/gal. where I am. I am not holding my breath for a 2-mode diesel hybrid. It would be way too expensive. As for the 4.5L Duramax, it looks like it will be an impressive engine, but I'll bet it will be an expensive option. I also wonder about the fuel economy.

[drew630]

Originally Posted by chakis24

because toyotas stock engine is pushing 400, and everyone else has around 330. image. and what are the torque numbers like?

Well, the 3.6L DI in the new CTS makes 273 ft-lbs @ 5200 rpm. The most current comparable engine in the current trucks would be the 4.3L V-6 which makes 260lb ft-lbs but at 2800 rpm (which is why its very popular in the marine industry). The next would be the 4.8L V-8 that makes 305 ft-lbs @ 4800 rpm.

I think that the CTS engine would have to work to hard to get the truck moving and you wouldn't see high enough fuel savings to over shadow its low torque numbers.

BTW, has anyone ever seen a new 900 with the 4.3L V-6? I, for one, have not. I didn't even realize that it was still an option.

[Joe in T.O.]

The S-10 used to have a diesel 4 cylinder option (early eighties). Anybody have one?

[thehemi]

We need a hybrid diesel w/ AFM...

[91 s-10baja]

Originally Posted by Joe in T.O.

The S-10 used to have a diesel 4 cylinder option (early eighties). Anybody have one?

Are you sure? Not saying you are wrong, I just have never heard?

[Ming]

Originally Posted by BigAls87Z28

plus





equals

That's right, BigAl. Why pay for insurance and maintenance on two vehicles when you can get the best of both worlds?

[383_torque]

Even though I am a 6.2 guy, I just found a source of $3/gallon Biodiesel. I want my 4.5L diesel Silverado NOW!

More torque than a 6.2, better mileage than a 5.3! Can't wait!

[RobertM]

Originally Posted by 91 s-10baja

Are you sure? Not saying you are wrong, I just have never heard?

This is true--they did have them. A buddy of mine in high school had an S-10 with the 4 banger and manual tranny.

[Tornado346]

I fully understand most of us here are participating in this arena of ideas with the intention of discussing ways GM can make trucks going forward that meet customer demands and also abide by the stupid regulations the same customers allowed their benevolent government to impose. That being said, I'd like to caution the use of a phrase.

I have read the notion several times here of what a person "needs" in a truck i.e. "they don't need that much truck." This to me is a bit dangerous. The environmentalist wackos run around trying to tell people what they do and do not need to be driving. They even have websites where you can input all your activities and they will tell you what kind of vehicle you "need." Who determines what size of vehicle I need? You, me, or are we going to set up some kind benevolent government agency to dictate what size of vehicle everyone "needs?" Oh, wait...we have done that with CAFE.

I firmly believe that going down this road of discussing what a person "needs" is validating the language of environmentalist wackos...playing into the hands of leftists and full-blooded sociaists. A person "needs" the vehicle they can afford to buy, choose to buy, can afford to operate, and choose to pay to operate. If the demand is for 10 mpg giant high powered trucks, that should be the customer's choice and the automakers should be allowed to fill that demand. If the demand is for a small pickup that gets good mileage and will haul the odd load here and there (like my lil ol' truck), ditto.

Now, if the CONSUMER demand is for a pickup that will do the same work with better mileage GM would be wise to meet this demand. If GM is not responsive to the demands of its customers, well...that is a different story. The free market will take care of that as other brands see this demand not being met and step up to the plate.