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A V8-powered Solstice?
Count on the aftermarket to step up and offer what GM won't provide. Mallett Cars, home of some rather fierce Corvettes and a supercharged CTS-V that won the sedan class in Car & Driver's most-recent supercar shootout, recently announced they will be offering a V8 version of the upcoming Pontiac Solstice and Saturn Sky. Given the relatively light weight of the 400 HP LS2 (perhaps 175 lbs or so heavier than the Ecotec I4 it replaces), it's unlikely that handling will suffer much; until the throttle meets the floorboards, that is. Pricing has yet to be announced, but it wouldn't be surprising if the cost of the conversion approaches that of the original sticker price for the car. Only 100 per year will be built, and for those people, the cost will likely not be a major factor. No word yet on what drivetrain modifications will be required, but it'd a bit unreasonable to expect the stock rear diff and Aisin transmission to be up to the task. How long until someone decides to drop a LS7 crate engine into one of these? More importantly, how long until GM decides to offer a V8 from the factory, preferably in a coupe wearing a historically-significant name?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Dan 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
"More importantly, how long until GM decides to offer a V8 from the factory, preferably in a coupe wearing a historically-significant name?"
About three months, when the new Monte Carlos come out.
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fbcjr 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Monte Carlo? Ugh. Firebird/Trans Am is more like it!
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B 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Awesome, the Monte Carlo is one sweet hoopty.
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Joel H 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
As long as they can make the coupe incorporate the top as well as the Cayman incorporates the top from the boxster design-wise.
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Blake 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
http://www.seriouswheels.com/pics-pqr/Pontiac-Solstice-Coupe-Concept-Rear-Angle-1600x1200.jpg
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Finished.Law.School 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
A V8 solstice - sort of like the V8 Miata's that I heard about not too long ago - people still making those? I think they were dropping a Ford V8 in those...
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Maxx 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
According to information on the Solstice forums, the basic conversion will be roughly $15-18k (above the price of the car itself.) This will include the engine, electronics, brakes and an upgraded rear end (shared with the CTS.) The stock transmission and driveshaft will be retained. Aparently, Mallett has already had access to the car to determine what fits and what doesn't.
Mallett is taking $10k non-refundable deposits currently to have them build one for you.
I am sure they will offer modifications above and beyond what has already been listed.
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DrakeGTA 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Id go for a V8 solstice, no matter what they called it; but considering the car is basically a small no frills economy car, a name like Nova might fit really well. I think thats a really good idea, GM should shell out a V6 version, and call it the Nova, and a V8 called the Nova SS. Personally, Id rather see it keep its soft top then in a coupe version.
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Mog 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Hmmmm 400hp on those bicycle width tires. Sounds like a no-traction disaster!
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David Thompson 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Given that the Kappa platform was specifically designed around an inline 4 and Holden had to widen it more than a bit to fit the 3.6HF V6 in the Torana concept, one wonders just how they plan to wedge a 6-liter V8 into a Solstice.
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md 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
David, they might not have to widen it.
The above mentioned miatas that had Ford 302s swapped in could fit the V8 block, but engineers had more trouble fitting a V6 into the same car. maybe the same will hold true for the Solstice
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Jack Yan 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Sounds like the idea a chap called John Zachary de Lorean once had at Pontiac. Find the smallest car in the range and put a huge engine in. I like it.
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Lee Stewart 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
Swell :-)
Solstice...with V6 and Turbo or V8 straight up...350+ Horsepower if you please...Go For It !!!
Coupe...I suggest a Snap On Hardtop ala Miata...or a fold down Hardtop ala SLK...both would work even better...keeping the headrest bulges on the rear deck for Sex appeal...and you would have the Best of Both Worlds :-)
Wider Wheels Please...to handle improved horsepower...problem is putting wider fenders on it given the seam locations between the front and rear body panels close to the bumper panels...The aftermarket will need to do a lot of work in this area...Build It and They Will Come :-)
And Pontiac...could we have an "All Tan" interior option...PLEASE...I thought Black and Tan was a Beer cocktail?
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Andrew 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
I am on the list to get a v8 solstice and they quoted me $8000 for the basic 400hp ls2 swap! on top of a $20,000 car, that doesn't sound too bad!
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Andrew 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
I am on the list to get a v8 solstice and they quoted me $8000 for the basic 400hp ls2 swap! on top of a $20,000 car, that doesn't sound too bad!
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tigger 10:25PM (12/18/2005)
You guys will need to check out the upcoming December issue of Hot Rod magazine. Theyre working on putting the 440 hp, supercharged Northstar motor in that little car.
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