4th Gen V8 VS 5th Gen V6 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

tripowergto · 02-17-2011, 09:05 AM

I suspect there are quite a few 4th gen V8 owners here that opted for a 5th gen V6. I own a 2002 Firebird Formula 310HP LS1 V8 with Hurst 6 speed and am seriously considering purchasing a 312HP V6 RS Camaro with manual shift. Given the similar HP #'s I gather the seat of the pants driving experience should also be similar although the 4th gen F-bods were underrated @ 310(LS1 Vette was rated 340). Who here has made this transition and what are your observations?

mpiper · 02-17-2011, 09:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mpiper

The 4th Gen F-cars' LT1 differed in the valve train. Either the rocker ratio or camshaft. I forget the exact difference, but when that engine came out a lot of the enthusiast mags talked about what swap to make to match the Corvette horsepower. (Of course the crate LT1 was the Corvette one, only the factory built/installed F-car LT1 was different if I recall correctly.)

As far as seat of pants difference, the HP is definitely comparable, but the torque is lower than the LT1. So you'll be able to tell the difference from that perspective. I would describe the difference as this: The LT1 snaps you head back at takeoff, the LLT feels like a rocket where the afterburners kick in around 3,000-3,500.

(Disclaimer: I have an Automatic, so any stick people may have a different experience and I would bow to their expertise on that issue.)

Ignore the above. The LT1 and LS1 are VERY different animals. I misread what engine he was referring to.

Revo1 · 02-17-2011, 09:39 AM

While the 5th gen V6 is impressive, gen 5 SS is still a better race for my 4th gen.

LT1 models would probably be closer matched though. I'd like to see this Q put to the test....

LS1hawk · 02-17-2011, 09:47 AM

At first glance it may seem that the 5th gen v6 would be similar, it really isn't. My 02 Firehawk is very similar to my stock 5th gen SS when talking about seat of the pants and quarter mile times. Beyond that they are vastly different. If you have a LS1 4th gen I don't think you'll be happy with a v6 5th gen.

tripowergto · 02-17-2011, 10:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1hawk

At first glance it may seem that the 5th gen v6 would be similar, it really isn't. My 02 Firehawk is very similar to my stock 5th gen SS when talking about seat of the pants and quarter mile times. Beyond that they are vastly different. If you have a LS1 4th gen I don't think you'll be happy with a v6 5th gen.

My Formula is stock except I added the SLP Ram Air hood. I understand I'd be giving up torque with the new V6 but I'd like to believe the manual shift can mask that some. My other daily driver is a 361HP G8 GT so I need my 3rd car to be a bit more thrifty on both fuel & purchase price.

heRS · 02-17-2011, 10:07 AM

You should drive both. Buy which one feels best to you. I love my V6, and I've owned a few V8 Chevies to compare the feel. The V6 might surprise you.

halo8hkk · 02-17-2011, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LS1hawk

At first glance it may seem that the 5th gen v6 would be similar, it really isn't. My 02 Firehawk is very similar to my stock 5th gen SS when talking about seat of the pants and quarter mile times. Beyond that they are vastly different. If you have a LS1 4th gen I don't think you'll be happy with a v6 5th gen.

agreed.

tripowergto · 02-17-2011, 10:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by heRS

You should drive both. Buy which one feels best to you. I love my V6, and I've owned a few V8 Chevies to compare the feel. The V6 might surprise you.

My Formula comes out of winter storage soon(hopefully). I intend to drive it to a few Chevy dealers for a direct comparison with the V6 Camaro. Shared thoughts here are giving me more to consider.

MikeSVX · 02-17-2011, 10:38 AM

If your main consern is something economical, stay out of the SS. If you let talk you into testing it, you will be taking it home. If thrift is all your after check the Turbo charged Cruze. One of the other members he recently got one an sems to really enjoy the car from a practical stand point.

tripowergto · 02-17-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MikeSVX

If your main consern is something economical, stay out of the SS. If you let talk you into testing it, you will be taking it home. If thrift is all your after check the Turbo charged Cruze. One of the other members he recently got one an sems to really enjoy the car from a practical stand point.

I don't think I could go as down market as a Cruze and prefer a 6 cyl. I'll be coming out of a cheap lease G6 221HP V6 in April. I already test drove a turbo Regal but it's too pricey for its limited performance. The V6 RS Camaro seems to be in a sweet spot of performance value per dollar.

Turbo Regal Test Drive Review here:
http://www.realrockpro.com/cgi-bin/y...num=1293724766

LS1hawk · 02-17-2011, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tripowergto

My Formula comes out of winter storage soon(hopefully). I intend to drive it to a few Chevy dealers for a direct comparison with the V6 Camaro. Shared thoughts here are giving me more to consider.

I think you'll be really happy with a v6 5th gen as a daily driver, especially considering the other cars in your stable. If you didn't have the G8 and wanted a more performance oriented Camaro to be similar to your 4th gen I would go with SS. The v6 just has a different feel. Best bet is taking your Formula with you like you mentioned and see what you think.

Edge.128 · 02-17-2011, 11:25 AM

gearing, weight, tires, etc.. all play a difference. drive both and decide for yourself.

1BADLS3 · 02-17-2011, 11:45 AM

I've owned both 4th gen LS1's and now a 5th Gen w/ the LS3. I test drove a bunch of V6's before deciding on the SS.

The V6 is a great motor. Smooth, sounds good, decent power. But it doesn't make for a 'fast' car or anything that feels super extraordinary. It's a good power plant that balances economy and power very well. Note: It feels like most of its power is in the upper RPM range, so unless you're constantly flogging it, the thrill-meter is relatively flat and it feels like you're driving a V6.

Nothing can replace the sound and low-end snap of a V8 (unless it's a turbo 6, but the sound element is absent, then). To be honest, if I had to choose between a new LT1 with only 275hp, and the 3.6 Camaro, I'd probably choose the LT1.

JHL88 · 02-17-2011, 12:32 PM

no comparison IMO especially vs. the ls1's. i cant speak a lotfor the LT1's since ive never owned one but i have test driven one. LT1's have good low end torque but lack top end and they dont take to mods well compared to the ls1's. ALL ls1's were around 350 bhp range. regardless of what they rated them at from the factory. if i were you i would not trade in your ls1 for a v6 5th gen. well only if you wanted a new vehicle.

02-17-2011, 09:05 AM	#1
tripowergto WHEELIEFEST 22 ~ 8/14/21 Drives: 18 HW, 16 Vette, 09 G8 GT, 02 Formu Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: Rockin' Rowland PA Posts: 268	4th Gen V8 VS 5th Gen V6 I suspect there are quite a few 4th gen V8 owners here that opted for a 5th gen V6. I own a 2002 Firebird Formula 310HP LS1 V8 with Hurst 6 speed and am seriously considering purchasing a 312HP V6 RS Camaro with manual shift. Given the similar HP #'s I gather the seat of the pants driving experience should also be similar although the 4th gen F-bods were underrated @ 310(LS1 Vette was rated 340). Who here has made this transition and what are your observations? __________________ 18 Hot Wheels 2SS convertible 17 Silver Ice 1LT RS Camaro 6SPD 16 Torch Red Corvette 2LT 7SPD 14 Crystal Red Volt (traded) 10 Inferno Orange Camaro 2SS 426 HP LS3 "MAIDEN" (TOTALED!) 09 Stryker Blue G8 GT w/sport/prem/sunroof 02 Firebird Formula LS1 HURST 6SPD(1st new car)

02-17-2011, 09:39 AM	#3
Revo1 Don't Like it? Suggit. Drives: 2010 2SS/RS Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Fresno, CA Posts: 14,832 View My Garage	While the 5th gen V6 is impressive, gen 5 SS is still a better race for my 4th gen. LT1 models would probably be closer matched though. I'd like to see this Q put to the test.... __________________ "Tops off, tach up baby- loud and proud!" A Camaro lover from day one- 1996 3.8 V6 Camaro, to 1996 5.7 LT1 Camaro Z28, to the sold 2002 5.7 LS1 Camaro SS, and NOW, a [I]6.2 L99 VR 2SS/RS: XS Power stainless full exhaust, Airaid CAI, BMR drop springs and sways, custom tune by Cal Speed- 411rwhp

02-17-2011, 10:07 AM	#6
heRS Raised by Wolves Drives: IBM 2010 2LT RS M6 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Spokane, WA Posts: 5,980 View My Garage	You should drive both. Buy which one feels best to you. I love my V6, and I've owned a few V8 Chevies to compare the feel. The V6 might surprise you. __________________ Tori click the sig pic to view my build thread

02-17-2011, 11:25 AM	#12
Edge.128 Drives: 2010 Camaro LS Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Canada Posts: 1,911	gearing, weight, tires, etc.. all play a difference. drive both and decide for yourself. __________________ 2010 Summit White Camaro LS / M6 MRT V2.0

02-17-2011, 12:32 PM	#14
JHL88 Drives: 02 z06 Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Virginia/south carolina Posts: 416	no comparison IMO especially vs. the ls1's. i cant speak a lotfor the LT1's since ive never owned one but i have test driven one. LT1's have good low end torque but lack top end and they dont take to mods well compared to the ls1's. ALL ls1's were around 350 bhp range. regardless of what they rated them at from the factory. if i were you i would not trade in your ls1 for a v6 5th gen. well only if you wanted a new vehicle. __________________ 1997 RS wrecked 1998 Z28 sold 10 SS sold 2002 torch redc5z06 - sold :( '13 z71 4x4 - DD www.fquick.com/JHL88

02-17-2011, 09:47 AM	#4
LS1hawk Drives: 11 SGM 2SS/RS Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: PA Posts: 479	At first glance it may seem that the 5th gen v6 would be similar, it really isn't. My 02 Firehawk is very similar to my stock 5th gen SS when talking about seat of the pants and quarter mile times. Beyond that they are vastly different. If you have a LS1 4th gen I don't think you'll be happy with a v6 5th gen.

02-17-2011, 10:38 AM	#9
MikeSVX The magic smoke genie.... Drives: Jewels (2010 RJT 1SS) Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Escondido, CA Posts: 2,294	If your main consern is something economical, stay out of the SS. If you let talk you into testing it, you will be taking it home. If thrift is all your after check the Turbo charged Cruze. One of the other members he recently got one an sems to really enjoy the car from a practical stand point.

02-17-2011, 11:45 AM	#13
1BADLS3 Drives: Sold: 2011 2SS/RS Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: United States Posts: 1,896	I've owned both 4th gen LS1's and now a 5th Gen w/ the LS3. I test drove a bunch of V6's before deciding on the SS. The V6 is a great motor. Smooth, sounds good, decent power. But it doesn't make for a 'fast' car or anything that feels super extraordinary. It's a good power plant that balances economy and power very well. Note: It feels like most of its power is in the upper RPM range, so unless you're constantly flogging it, the thrill-meter is relatively flat and it feels like you're driving a V6. Nothing can replace the sound and low-end snap of a V8 (unless it's a turbo 6, but the sound element is absent, then). To be honest, if I had to choose between a new LT1 with only 275hp, and the 3.6 Camaro, I'd probably choose the LT1.

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