3800 is heavy, doesn't have high RPM power, is wider then a 60* block, 60* blocks are balanced better inherently, it doesn't have provisions for DOD, VVT, it'* not as smooth, etc....

I'd wager the SBC is still the best lineage motor of all time. The Gen III and IV'* under the LSx moniker are IMO the best GM engine family to date by a long shot.


G8 is really an import, and options are basically the Aussie ones. If you're complaining about the lack of a HUD, stick with the old iron block V6 FWD chassis, while the rest of us get RWD v8 sedans with a significantly better chassis. I'll take all the driving dynamic upgrades associated with the G8 instead of another poor selling bonne model (00+) with a gimmicky HUD.


/soapbox...

3800s are also discontinued january of 2009

Just remember Do NOT jump to conclusions as to options. HUD, NAV, HID'* and Bluetooth until GM releases official ordering information. Since the aussie version of the car comes equipped with NAV who knows...

I agree! I am not making any conclusions. I am, however, going to look forward to seeing a G8 GXP. That thing should be bad a$$

Haha... I'm so gonna find a way to put an LS7 in one of those.

The 3800 is being discontinued due to it NOT being able to meet the ever increasing emissions requirements that automakers are being faced with in 2009. As well as the upcoming implementation of OBDIII. Items like D.O.D. would work on the 3800 as easily as it would work on the 3.6L V6 as it’* all software driven. So that’* a moot point. The 3800 while being a durable, reliable workhorse of a motor, does add unnecessary weight to a fairly well balanced GMX 282 platform. You guys do realize that the 3800 traces it’* lineage back to the mid 50’* (like the SBC) as a farm tractor engine, right! The thing has been around for nearly 50 years and has been pushed well past it’* design limitations in meeting current day usage requirements/emissions compliance and mileage capacity. So what’* the difference between it and the SBC V8 that continues on you ask. The SBC V8 was completely redesigned from the ground up in the early 90’* to be the next generation small block to last another 50 years. It was brought to market as the LS1. That LSx motor has generated several LSx variants, as well as the cast iron versions used in GM’* trucks, GM’* bread and butter vehicles, known as the Vortec series.

Anyway, this V8 engine IS NOT the LS2. It is the next generation of LSx architecture and is actually already in production and put into the current Escalades. It is the 6.2L Vortec V8.

Adeiano’*, converting to an LS7 isn’t as easy as you think. LS7’* for one, are dry sump motors and I don’t think regular LS2 oil pan will fit in order to convert it to a wet sump pickup. In addition, there is the platform, which works as an impediment to the oil pan swap. The current GMX281 platform that the GTO/Monaro/old Commodore ride on, are a rear steer chassis. I don’t expect this to change on the 282. Rear steer means that all steering componentry is behind the centerline of the front axle. Most cars are front steer. This rear steer setup is what makes longtube header installs on our cars’ a bitch! We actually have to drop the steering rack on the drivers side, but I digress. Our LS1’*/LS2’* in the GTO actually have a different oil pan and oil sump pickup than the LS1’*/LS2’*/LS6’*/Vortec’* used in Vette’*, Camaro’*, and the trucks further complicating any conversion due to this. Trust me, many guys have wanted to do this but unless you’re Mr. Moneybags, it really isn’t worth it when there are many other options on the market that actually net more power, are already available, and cheaper overall. Examples are stroker motors, blowers, turbo’*, NAWWS, and adding on a nice set of heads/cam to any of those packages. Then finally, there is the electronics. No PCM or harness other than the ZO6 and upcoming CTS-V are available and try getting one of those to work in a G8 would be like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole.

There wont be a hud, the cars are already being build as Commodores for the Aussie market, they get new fascia, and emblems, and are sent on a boat.

Ummm not entirely true... Since Australian cars do NOT meet Canadian Standards GM is now talking about making this car in NA.. I think they learned with the GTO about importing cars from Australia. Canada will not allow them point blank. and since they have not released an order sheet I'm not counting anything out. and the G8 is built off of the Commodore and I'm sure in the forum where i got the original link they said that the motors wern't the same but I dunno.

You are partially correct. Yes, it'* already being sold in Australia. However, where you're incorrect is that it won't be built in Australia. It will be produced in NA. The GMX282 platform is also what the next Camaro, and many other GM variants will be produced with. That level of production capacity outstrips Holden'* capabilities. Holden had three shifts working around the clock to produce the 18,000 GTO'* they did each year. That 18,000 was actually double what they produce for their own market!

So in order for GM to be able to produce it economically, in the numbers needed, it has to be built in NA. Rumor has it, in Canada.