V8 GP

Anyone hear about the next GP w/ a V8?

You can order one starting tomorrow (3/17), and they should be in showrooms early April.

From the "beta" testing I've heard, sounds VERY nice. Smooth, nice exhaust note, gobs 'o torque .

I definitely should have waited, but what can ya do?

Although the GMCanada web site has allowed one to "build" / price a GXP for weeks now, the US site is still not updated.

Odd. . .

- Ray
Waiting, oh so very patiently . . .

What transmission does the V8 get?

I read that GM officially announced the hp for the GXP at 303 hp. Torque was about 340 something I think. They are going to be awesome.

I thought it was 290 and 303.
Jack

GXP pricing is on Edmunds.

Though the Pontiac (US) site still shows it under 'coming attractions' . . .

KBB site seems to have some 'issues'.

Official HP / TQ ratings:
“LS4 NEW! Engine, 5.3L 5300 V8 SFI (303 HP [226 kW] @ 5600 rpm, 323 lb.-ft. [438.0 N-m] @ 4400 rpm)” – from the GM Ordering Guide on line.

[Edit: The LS4 is all aluminum - and is reported to be essentially the same weight as the 260 / 280 S/C 3800 in the GTP. ]

My understanding is that production of units for customer sale began earlier this week.
- Ray
Ready for a test drive. Now.

Trans. behind (beside?) the GXP's V8 = Significantly upgraded / strengthened 4T65-E trans.

- Ray
With no list of precisely what upgrades or enhancements . . .

THEY BETTER BE GIVING BIG INCENTIVES. THERE STOCK IS FALLING, GAS PRICES SOARING.

So... I could replace my regular 4T65E-HD transmission with the upgraded/strengthened 4T65E-HD, and have the same as I do now, only better?
That's the way it should have been in the begining.

Why is it that I get this feeling as though it won't be so easy to swap the tranny?

It would be nice though.

I've got the same feeling. It sounds doable, but I'm sure something will prevent it from happening.

There's probably some stupid little thing that will prevent it. Like an PCM setting or something. Possibly mounting.

I heard 290 hp too, but I also heard that the engine is good wayyyy more than 300 hp!

They may just want to keep it below 300 so that it's not stomping on Bonny GXP territory. But if Bonny is heading out to pasture, pump up the ponies in the GP, GM!!

It will already beat the Bonnie, thats where my money is.

LOL, I love that Bonne GXP, I think they could have done a bit more w/ the styling though. I beleive the prototype I saw in Car and Driver would have beed the design to go w/. They always soften the design when they come out w/ the final product.

http://www.arifleet.com/production.html

Shows (as of today):

Pontiac Grand Prix
6-8
2WC69 GXP model is on hold

Odd . . .
- Ray
Curious . . .

http://media.gm.com/division/2005_prodinfo/powertrain/engines/05_car_engine_specs.html#ls4

Looking at the Graphs for 3 motors (the LS4 5.3L V8, the Northstar 4.6 and the ‘old’ L67) I find the following of interest:

= = = = = = 5.3L . . . . 4.6 . . . . L67

HP @ 2000 . 115 . . . . 100 . . . . 100
TQ @ 2000 . 300 . . . . 265 . . . . 250

HP @ 3000 . 180 . . . . 150 . . . . 160
TQ @ 3000 . 310 . . . . 275 . . . . 270

HP @ 4000 . 245 . . . . 225 . . . . 220
TQ @ 4000 . 320 . . . . 295 . . . . 280 (past peak)


[these numbers are approximate, from these dyno curves - trying to line this data up as a chart . . .]

Point being, compared to the L67 (a known and appreciated torque generator) and the Northstar (I have driven the new STS with this version of the motor – it is technically sophisticated, expensive to produce and I certainly respect it), this new 5.3L V8 quoted output is quite impressive. At least on paper.

I end up spending a LOT of my drive time with the motor turning between 2000 and 4000 rpm. The torque available in this range is more important to me (most of the time) than peak horsepower.

The 5.3L LS4 generates more torque and more horsepower at every point from 2000 to 4000 rpm than either of these other motors.

I am looking forward to driving this car.

- Ray
Admitted torque addict . . .

First GXPs have been delivered to customers.
Just f.y.i.
- Ray
With none shown in stock (according to GMBuypower) closer than 100+ miles from Atlanta yet (sigh) . .

Motor Trend sayeth:

0 – 60: 6.0
Quarter: 14.3 at 98.1

No “Estimate” (theirs or GM’s)

Interesting.

Now I must go read the article . . .

- Ray
Glad to see the 14.3 . .

I drove the hell out of one at the DC gm autoshow-in- motion. The car blows away the GTP comp G and bonnie GXP. Im sure the motor is going to be torque managed so 1/4 times will be slower than they "should" be just like the 04 GTP but if you can keep the tranny in it, its the best thing going next to the GTO. BTW it does have 303 hp, but I forget the torque number.

I loved it.

"I forget the torque number. "

323.
- Ray
Maybe test driving tomorrow PM . . .