snizzle

Haha....

That Saturn has them, but future Saturns will not btw.

xrider01

why is GM going w/FI cars? like the cobalt and ion redline? why not just put in a larger engine? it will be easier to maintain IMO. less moving parts = less maintenance/easier to fix right? as far as gas mileage goes, it would be about the same still right?

therm8

Because they have the 2.0L Ecotec, which has been running in boosted Saabs for quite some time now. They aren't in the position financially to be developing or adapting engines to new platforms. And an FI engine, especially a turbo one, is easily modable. GM is trying to break into a tough market, and modability makes the car that much more desirable to the tuner crowds.

I don't think a DOHC V6 would fit on a kappa car, and the I-5 might be a stretch. Plus weight balance would be thrown off.

I love factory turbo cars. Chip them to up the boost and make timing and a/f more agressive, and it's a whole new car. My Volvo jumped 40hp/50lb-ft, and my highway mileage went from 25 to 30, with just an ecu tune. A mod that pays for itself is a beautiful thing.

Japan8

A Chevy V8 crate motor apparantly fits. Someone is dropping them in Solstices. My father was telling me about the booth for them at a recent car show he went to (and won 1st prize for his category!).

Backup7

Essentially all new Saturns now are rebadged Opels, which is definitely not a bad thing. However, I wonder why GM does not simply change the signs at Saturn dealerships to Opel and be done with it. Even if Saturn does make great cars, it will be a while before the public can get past the bad thoughts associated with Saturn.

snizzle

Mallet cars is doing the conversion.
http://www.mallettcars.com/solstice-conversion.htm

$19,995 plus 20K base minimum for the car itself.

Runs a 12.8 @113, 0-60 in 4.4

snizzle

I don't think it's that simple. I agree the public has a negative perception of Saturns even if it is unfounded but I don't think you can just drop it and be done w/it that easy. They will try to build back brand image first since the public is already pleased with the customer service oriented culture.

snizzle

As therm8 says, the 2.0L Ecotec has proven itself in FI form. Many think that is one of the reasons they aren't using the base 2.4L boosted instead.

therm8

True, the LS2 will fit, but at what cost to handling? Granted the OHV V8 probably weighs considerably less than a DOHC V6. It is also more compact, vertically. But GM's not gonna make a Vette killer out of the Solstice/Sky, and they won't be using any OHV V-6's any more either, so the best option remains the boosted Ecotec.

xrider01

20k for an extra 4 cylinders?! ouch!

i'd rather pay that for an extra rotor and turbo and still have about 5k left over

snizzle

They also have a 600HP S/C package. I still can't figure out why the Solstice doesn't get better numbers than a base C6 with the same engine though.

20K is expensive but they include a warranty and labor.

snizzle

Some rumors....
http://www.saturnfans.com/Cars/Futur...onrumors.shtml

Text:

Over the past week a variety of news and rumors have surfaced regarding production, launch plans, and availability of the 2007 Saturn SKY. These tidbits have not been officially confirmed by Saturn.

• SKYs with manual transmissions are being built every day.
• Automatic equipped SKYs are now being built in pre-production form.
• All saleable SKYs that have been produced to date will be held in at GM's Wilmington, Delaware manufacturing plant until mid-March when the first batch of vehicles will be shipped to retail facilities around the United States. Sources tell SaturnFans.com that this is being done to ensure that all retailers receive at least one SKY at about the same time at launch.
• Pilot builds for SKY Red Line turbo models will reportedly begin sometime in April. If testing of the pre-production models go as planned, regular production SKY Red Lines would be available for mid- to late-summer delivery.
• Automotive News reported today that GM will spend $32 million in its Pontiac, Michigan metal stamping plant for innovative sheet hydro-forming equipment used to stamp much of the sheet metal for the Saturn SKY, Pontiac Solstice, and the future Opel roadster. According to the publication, "sheet hydro-forming uses water pressure to mold pieces of steel around dies to form structural components.

conedodger

I think the Sky looks great. In fact, I'll probably be considering one next year when the lease on my 8 is up. The Redline Version, dependent upon positive reviews, would be my first choice. I love the open air and miss the T-tops of my Camaro.

xrider01

the extra 5k is probably the 2yr/24k mile warranty

BaronVonBigmeat

Is the ecotec iron or aluminum? If it's iron, I wouldn't be surprised if the LS2 is lighter, esp. with the extra weight of the turbo or supercharger. Hinson supercars recently put a LS2 into a 240SX and actually saved 120 lbs. over the factory 4.

Also, part of the high cost of conversion is due to the fact that it's a small shop doing the work, not the factory. GM could probably sell them for $30k~$35k, but then they might eat into Corvette sales. Which is ironic, because a V8 Solstice is closer to the early Corvettes than modern Corvettes are.

bascho

In a word.......Traction. Power means nothing without traction. Back in 1997 Saleen made two versions of the Saleen Mustang, the S281 and the S351. The S281 was actually faster in the 1/4 mile because of traction. The S351 melted tires off because all the power.......but no way to stick it.

PoorCollegeKid

It's aluminum. IIRC, the Ecotec weighs ~350lbs, while the LSx weighs in at about 100lbs more than that. An extra 100lbs in the nose of the car wouldn't be a good thing, but it wouldn't destroy the dynamics of the car, either.

therm8

As PCK said, aluminum block. But the 2.0 FI Ecotec is comparable to the Z06's LS7 in being "built". For example, sodium cooled exhaust valves, forged crank, aluminum pistons, aluminum heads, forged steel connecting rods, 9.5:1 CR, and (on the Cobalt SS/Ion Redline) 12.5psi on the M62 blower (not sure what turbo the Saabs use or what boost they run). It's one nice motor. It used to be built in Germany, and I assume it still is, with it being used primarily in Saabs.