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Drew Dowdell

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Everything posted by Drew Dowdell

  1. Drew Dowdell
    Welcome to C&G. Feel free to post any questions you have or PM me directly.
  2. Drew Dowdell
    Downsizing and ever increasing use of Aluminum is pretty much a given at this point. Not sure it is a worthwhile effort to criticize one's marketing for pronouncing the fact they are pushing both. It would be great if the use of Aluminum in the F-150 were super effective, but they just barely undercut the GM twins that are all steel. The difference between the two is about one loaded tool box. Is the F-150 downsized at all? Comparable truck weight difference is about 350lbs. But it’s all relative. The new F-150 gained size and capability from previous gen, which was long in the tooth and heavy out of the gate, yet still managed to shed 500lbs relative to previous gen truck (up to 700 maximum lbs). Not an easy task. I presume if Ford were to keep the truck mostly steel with this new generation, they could have still shed about 150-200lbs, just as GM did with their new generation. It’s all relative. And more weight reduction is coming. They are not done. For that much aluminum (and bragging), I would expect a greater amount of mass reduction. The actual weight reduction is much less than what you cite, but even still, 300 is about how much lighter the CT6 is verses an all steel car of the same size and there is a lot less wiggle room for weight reduction in a sedan than in a truck.
  3. Drew Dowdell
    Downsizing and ever increasing use of Aluminum is pretty much a given at this point. Not sure it is a worthwhile effort to criticize one's marketing for pronouncing the fact they are pushing both. It would be great if the use of Aluminum in the F-150 were super effective, but they just barely undercut the GM twins that are all steel. The difference between the two is about one loaded tool box. Is the F-150 downsized at all?
  4. Drew Dowdell
    Where do you live that you still see Cavaliers on the road? Ho-LEE They're all over here too.
  5. Drew Dowdell
    Good new for Chevrolet Suburban fans. Back in March we reported that a Chevrolet Suburban HD would be available for the 2016 model year, but then later found that the Suburban HD would only be available for commercial and government Fleets. The commercial and government fleet version would come equipped with the venerable 5.3 liter V8 and some upgraded hardware. Now we can update you with some new information. The GM order guides for the Suburban just went live and now we can see that while there is still the Government and Fleet version, there is also now a 2016 Suburban 3500HD listed. There is no indication in the order guide as to if the 3500HD will be available to only fleets or if it will be available to retail customers as well. We have e-mailed a contact from GM for clarification and will update you when we receive a reply. The 3500HD appears to be available in four-wheel drive, however the guide is somewhat ambiguous on this point. It will come equipped with the familiar 6.0 liter V8 with variable valve timing as seen in the 2015 Silverado. Expect output to be the same at 360 horsepower at 5400 rpm and 380 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm as in the Silverado. Power is routed through a 2-speed transfer case which includes a neutral setting for dingy mode. All Suburban 3500HDs will come with the Z85 suspension package that includes automatic rear load leveler. The 3500HD's GVWR shows as 11,000lbs. New for the 2016 Suburban 1500 will be an optional Lane Keep Assist system available on LT and LTZ models. Lane Keep Assist detects when the driver is unintentionally drifting out of the lane and will actively turn the wheel to correct the vehicle's course. The system will only work between 37 mph and 112 mph. Lane Keep Assist does not appear to be offered in any trim on the 3500 models. LS buyers can gain these features by selecting the Enhanced Driver Alert package that includes Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Intellibeam Automatic High-Beams, and Power Adjustable Pedals. LTZ Suburbans gain an available 8-inch diagonal, re-configurable driver information center similar to that found in the 2015 GMC Sierra Denali and 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. Naturally, the display itself will be re-branded and likely reconfigured from the GMC version. No official word yet on when the 2016 Suburban 3500HD will go on sale, but we expect to see it later in 2015. Source: GM Online Order Guide View full article
  6. Drew Dowdell
    More information about "2016 Chevrolet Suburban Updates"
    Good new for Chevrolet Suburban fans. Back in March we reported that a Chevrolet Suburban HD would be available for the 2016 model year, but then later found that the Suburban HD would only be available for commercial and government Fleets. The commercial and government fleet version would come equipped with the venerable 5.3 liter V8 and some upgraded hardware. Now we can update you with some new information. The GM order guides for the Suburban just went live and now we can see that while there is still the Government and Fleet version, there is also now a 2016 Suburban 3500HD listed. There is no indication in the order guide as to if the 3500HD will be available to only fleets or if it will be available to retail customers as well. We have e-mailed a contact from GM for clarification and will update you when we receive a reply. The 3500HD appears to be available in four-wheel drive, however the guide is somewhat ambiguous on this point. It will come equipped with the familiar 6.0 liter V8 with variable valve timing as seen in the 2015 Silverado. Expect output to be the same at 360 horsepower at 5400 rpm and 380 lb-ft of torque at 4200 rpm as in the Silverado. Power is routed through a 2-speed transfer case which includes a neutral setting for dingy mode. All Suburban 3500HDs will come with the Z85 suspension package that includes automatic rear load leveler. The 3500HD's GVWR shows as 11,000lbs. New for the 2016 Suburban 1500 will be an optional Lane Keep Assist system available on LT and LTZ models. Lane Keep Assist detects when the driver is unintentionally drifting out of the lane and will actively turn the wheel to correct the vehicle's course. The system will only work between 37 mph and 112 mph. Lane Keep Assist does not appear to be offered in any trim on the 3500 models. LS buyers can gain these features by selecting the Enhanced Driver Alert package that includes Forward Collision Alert, Lane Keep Assist, Intellibeam Automatic High-Beams, and Power Adjustable Pedals. LTZ Suburbans gain an available 8-inch diagonal, re-configurable driver information center similar to that found in the 2015 GMC Sierra Denali and 2015 GMC Yukon Denali. Naturally, the display itself will be re-branded and likely reconfigured from the GMC version. No official word yet on when the 2016 Suburban 3500HD will go on sale, but we expect to see it later in 2015. Source: GM Online Order Guide
  7. Drew Dowdell
    Although, It would be cool to do a long-term test. You live in Michigan. You'd get to put the top down for about 15 minutes sometime in mid-August.
  8. Drew Dowdell
    LOL @ you guys and your complicated relationships. Anyway... why do some used car dealers insist on hosing down a car, inside and out, with Armor All?
  9. Drew Dowdell
    It really depends on the type of crossover they try and build. If it is just a glorified tall wagon like the X3 or Mercedes GLC, then there is likely little extra development time to it at all. Make it a long roof, change the suspension geometry, 95% of the interior would carry over especially if it is a two row, same power train. See also: Sales in Europe.
  10. Drew Dowdell
    The reason you're getting down-voted is because you're basing your judgement of the car on the current Cruze hatchback and not the one that will be revealed shortly.
  11. Drew Dowdell
    It's just a test drive. We don't get to keep it for months and months
  12. Drew Dowdell
    $33k for a truck with that type of capability and power is actually really good for this day and age. Edit: Doh! I was fooled! That's the price for the gasser. The coal burner is about a $9k upcharge.
  13. Drew Dowdell
    Tesla charger compatibility would be a huge boon to Fisker.
  14. Drew Dowdell
    Yes. The media drives are late summer / early fall. More than likely, William or I will get to test one out to give you our opinion. Because the best time for convertibles is when the sun is hottest or winter is approaching??? I love GM but sometimes they really do drag $h! out to times that are simply insane. In fact.. I still remain confused as to how and why a Camaro.. which isn't even out yet is on the same platform as an ATS that has been on the market since 2013.. is getting a convertible and the Caddy isn't It has more to do with when the car goes on sale. Early to Mid-September is perfect convertible weather in my view.
  15. Drew Dowdell
    They should probably offer both.
  16. Drew Dowdell
    Yes. The media drives are late summer / early fall. More than likely, William or I will get to test one out to give you our opinion.
  17. Drew Dowdell
    The 3500 and 3900 were designed at the same time and were distant cousins of the old 2.8 liter V6 which begat the 3.1 OHV which begat the 3.4 OHV. The 3.4 Twin Dual Cam was related to these also.
  18. Drew Dowdell
    Oh good, just what no one wanted.
  19. Drew Dowdell
    The 3900 was in no way related to the 3800. The 3800 had a 90 degree cylinder angle, the 3900 had a 60 degree cylinder angle. The 3900 was a very advanced engine and it was only due to the drumbeat of the uninformed like you who chase high horsepower per liter that killed it. It had 240 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque with a turbo-charged like torque curve. 90% of max torque was available from 1,500 rpm - 5,500 rpm. It had variable valve timing, variable length intake manifold, and on the Impala it had Active-fuel-management. It was surprisingly efficient even in the big cars. It is also substantially physically smaller externally and lighter than any DOHC V6 made of the same material.
  20. Drew Dowdell
    I don’t think that’s the case at all. From what I recall about acoustic properties, sound and electrical wave properties are very similar. I don’t recall the unit of measure, but it is a lot like impedance or resistance to pressure. Thus, aluminum resists both more than steel, which is more excitable due to it’s density. And combined with the fact that aluminum bodies are typically much thicker gauge, and any specific materials properties now have to consider volume. In fact, I am no recalling an F-150 document that mentioned how optimization for strength and sound in critical areas, is easier with aluminum, because you are not paying a huge weight penalty by adding needed local thickness. Anyway, chipping away at sub system weight with exotic materials and processes only nets you so much reduction. Even when taken to the extreme, and unless shaving fractions of 1/10ths of seconds on a track is your goal, there is little other benefit. Fuel economy gains are minimal. So as we all cheer for the automakers to double the price of our family sedan to gain a leg up in bragging rights, maybe we should pause and gage the real benefit, which is seldom realized. Hey, it keeps me employed, but I like to question everything. The benefit in the CT6 is a 740i sized sedan with a 335xi weight. As long as the sound reduction properties are what they say they are, I think the benefits are rather obvious. The use of steel in place of aluminum in the CT6 was specifically around the floor pan, firewall, and passenger cage.
  21. Drew Dowdell
    A Bonneville SSEI wouldn't be a terrible choice either. They're big, but they only weight like 3500 lbs.
  22. Drew Dowdell
    Not with a 3800 it doesn't. I saw one in person when I used to work at a state inspection station. It had a 3800 and it was in a white Pontiac G6 two-door with a six speed manual. I remember it very well, he had a car seat in the back and the interior was a friggin mess I pulled it out of the shop after the inspection. I wish I could have taken cars for "test drives" sometimes when I was working there. you saw a 3900, not a 3800. Or someone did a rather strange swap.
  23. Drew Dowdell
    They won't be going to more aluminum in the Omega unless it is some sort of sport car to be loud. They specifically left steal in certain areas because the weight of the steel alone was less than aluminum + required sound deadening material. Steel has some acoustical properties that aluminum doesn't have. Going with both let them net out to a lower curb weight.
  24. Drew Dowdell
    Not with a 3800 it doesn't.
  25. Drew Dowdell
    He's hard to buy for... but I put together this video of the 1972 Kawasaki H2 sports bike that he has restored and modified.
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