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Drew Dowdell

Editor-in-Chief
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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell

  1. Drew Dowdell
    I would want to upgrade my CTS to the XTS V-Sport suspension
  2. Drew Dowdell
    I was talking LT1 to LT1, if i am not mistaken the truck version has different internals to produce more torque at a lower RPM but less HP. in any case they are VERY low production as they are only available on higher trims. We can talk about the 5.7 and 6.4, and the Pentastar and how many different vehicles they are available in with the same exact internals if you want lol. Nope, just a slightly different cam and different VVT tuning, same block and everything else. The L86/LT1 is not low production, 30% of each model sold is a Denali when a Denali model is available. Not all Denalis are 6.2s though as the 5.3 is standard, compared with GMC's relatively low production, then the Denalis lower production, then not all Denalis being 6.2s......... I am still searching on the differences, per Wards: The L86 has a lot in common with the LT1: displacement, block, bore and stroke, 11.5:1 compression ratio, cylinder heads, crankshafts, continuously variable valve timing and other hardware. But the LT1 requires unique intake, exhaust and lubrication systems and tuning to meet the demands of a Corvette owner. "Exhaust" is not the engine. GM could hook the 3.6 V6 up to the corvette exhaust. LT1 has a dry oil sump I believe - for high G-turning. Different intake manifold too..... I thought they did have a different cam, but maybe it is just a different cam tune using the VVT system. Still not major changes that would cut into profits.
  3. Drew Dowdell
    I can't get past the new exterior design language. Well that and the CVT. I'd be inclined to at least try the Edge Sport at the same price point as the others. The CVT is super smooth and paired with the VQ is nicely refined. When you consider what the Murano is meant to be, comfy family cruiser rather than sports car, the CVT makes sense.
  4. Drew Dowdell
    it's interesting. Elio has been going around to all of the states to get this classified as a car instead of a motorcycle. I would like to do an article about that.
  5. Drew Dowdell
    well... yes... the old 5.3 was great... but it's not the same engine as the 5.3 that is being put into the trucks now.
  6. Drew Dowdell
    What do you mean by a chart?
  7. Drew Dowdell
    I was talking LT1 to LT1, if i am not mistaken the truck version has different internals to produce more torque at a lower RPM but less HP. in any case they are VERY low production as they are only available on higher trims. We can talk about the 5.7 and 6.4, and the Pentastar and how many different vehicles they are available in with the same exact internals if you want lol. Nope, just a slightly different cam and different VVT tuning, same block and everything else. The L86/LT1 is not low production, 30% of each model sold is a Denali when a Denali model is available.
  8. Drew Dowdell
    you guys are making me wish I had booked an extra day or two in Calgary, but I just couldn't swing it with my schedule.
  9. Drew Dowdell
    Not to correct you...but... a couple friends and I were at our local GM dealer(one of them wanted to get an idea of new truck prices..he was kindof in sticker shock) and I actually think 90% were either the 5.3 or 4.3.. But I understand what you're saying! lol "My" Buick/GMC dealer must move a lot of Denalis. And yes yes.. I know the "truck" LT1 is technically coded an L86, but it is the same engine in a different tune. Yeah there were only a couple Denalis on the lot.. but in all fairness we were looking something for him that was a little more basic so we weren't looking at everything let a lone everything that looked awesome.. but I do always like to look at price tags of the fully loaded ones.. Saw a 62k High Country..jeez. But that dark brown leather interior did look extremely fancy, especially for a truck. Random. But when we were looking the window sticker was kind of confusing actually. On the lower left hand side under "mechanical" a lot of them had the 4.3 listed. BUT on the upper right(outside fo the "box") they had the 5.3 listed. That's because the 5.3 is an option. That said, if he just needs something basic and doesn't need to tow a heavy trailer, the 4.3 is a fine engine. It has roughly the same power characteristics of the 5.3 from about 12 years ago. The instinct when buying a truck is always to go for the biggest baddest engine you can afford, but these new V6es from GM and Ford and Chrysler are plenty good enough for most folks who just want to haul mulch home from Home Depot. I really like the High Country, but it is very much Chevy copying Ford's King Ranch. My Mom drives a 2007 King Ranch with that dark brown interior.
  10. Drew Dowdell
    I am looking for feedback on the newsletters we have been sending weekly for the last month or so. Please let me know your thoughts in the poll and the comments section below. If you have not been receiving the new newsletter, you can subscribe to the weekly newsletter at this link.
  11. Drew Dowdell
    Not to correct you...but... a couple friends and I were at our local GM dealer(one of them wanted to get an idea of new truck prices..he was kindof in sticker shock) and I actually think 90% were either the 5.3 or 4.3.. But I understand what you're saying! lol "My" Buick/GMC dealer must move a lot of Denalis. And yes yes.. I know the "truck" LT1 is technically coded an L86, but it is the same engine in a different tune.
  12. Drew Dowdell
    Its only 3 years away...if we count it as we do birthdays...technically, the 2016s are coming in a couple of months...so...in reality...that is only 2 model years away...for a vehicle that sells the way it does...in a niche where buyers have gone SUV crazy...again....for a vehicle that DEFINES the genre and niche...it aint no biggie...OK...come 2018...Jeep might feel a slight decrease in sales due to the fact that it has been that long...but Im sure it will still outsell its competition at that point in time regardless. Maybe by then Jeep will have to start discounting a bit. Right now, it is darn near impossible to get a GC at any discount compared to much of the competition.
  13. Drew Dowdell
    Wolf
  14. Drew Dowdell
    If you send me your contact details. i'll get it over to the Chevy folks.
  15. Drew Dowdell
    uh, the LT1 is available at any Chevy or GMC dealer in the truck section. Stand in the middle of the truck lot, throw a tomato, and there is a really good chance you'll hit a truck with an LT1.
  16. Drew Dowdell
    It's as if I type things, you see them, but don't read them. Saturn Astra, all of Pontiac, Ford Probe, Chevy Trailblazer, Chrysler Pacifica....... these vehicles are as much an indictment of the internal combustion engine as your list is of electrification. But lets break your list down. Tahoe/Yukon/Escalade - one of the most technologically advance hybrid systems at the time and since.... but also by far the most expensive. It was effective, but cost so much that it didn't pay the buyer back ever. It also reduced tow ratings which is important to this class of SUV buyer. Durango/Aspen - take the most expensive hybrid system available and put it in two of the ugliest and poorest selling SUVs of the day... I can hear Chrysler Management saying "Where did we go wrong?!? Who's fault is this!?" Escape/Mariner - Victims of the "One-Ford" policy. We already know the fate of Mercury. Ford tried to claim that the new 1.6T would match the fuel economy of the previous hybrid, but that hasn't been the case. (2015 Escape 1.6T FWD 23/32/26 v 2012 Escape Hybrid FWD 34/31/32). Ford sold about 25k Escape/Mariner hybrids a year ... or roughly the same rate that they are selling C-Max hybrids today. However, I still believe that Ford is leaving sales on the table because crossover hybrid buyers will not automatically switch over to a smallish hatchback hybrid just because it is a hybrid. Those of us who require AWD are effectively locked out of hybrids at Ford now.
  17. Drew Dowdell
    I got word back: Fleet sales only.
  18. Drew Dowdell
    The new Murano is really good.
  19. Drew Dowdell
    Except GM doesn't have a 700hp car period, and the Hellcats' power makes for nothing more than good burn outs. I for one applaud BMW on realizing how stupid this power war is. I'd much rather them focus on making their cars lighter and more involving than chasing outright horsepower. The funny thing is the haters complain either way. When their cars aren't tops-in-class in handling/steering, people say they focus on speed too much, and they're too soft. When they try to adjust their philosophy on the next car, people decry them for complaining about the lack of increase of power. It's a lose-lose. Hating on BMW is just the cool thing to do these days, and people will always find a way to jump on the bandwagon somehow. Nevermind that BMW offers manuals in probably more cars than any other maker. I don't hate BMWs.... can't hate something that bores me so much. The distance between a 650hp Z06 and 700hp Z06 is just an underdrive pulley away. The 7-speed manual can handle it.
  20. Drew Dowdell
    9-speed auto!
  21. Drew Dowdell
    I've had 3 of them as rentals (plus two Chrysler 200) lately and I think the transmission issue is put to bed.
  22. Drew Dowdell
    I like the interior of the new Camaro much much better than Mustang. The mustang's interior is a bit of a let down after seeing the sexy exterior..... plus, I still loath Sync.
  23. Drew Dowdell
    I wonder if/when we'll hit a practical limit. What's next, a Ram 3500 with 1,000lb feet of torque? What for...pulling submarines out of the ocean?
  24. Drew Dowdell
    Welcome... I'm the ring leader around here..... if you have any questions or issues you can post them here or PM me directly.
  25. Drew Dowdell
    You're probably seeing the TDIs Very true, did not think about that but then why does the Duramax not do the black cloud thing when you stomp on it compared to the TDI's of Audi? Because they have so much torque they alter space-time and send the coal dust into the future.
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