From a guy working on the Holden production line

Just an update, they are coming down with bonnet scopes on them. They are sort of like XB GT scopes.


He has also said they have LS2 engines and dual exhustss exiting on both sides. Just so you know what XB GT scopes look like:

http://www.damage.fi/slas/images/cars/FALC_1.jpg

look familar? watch mad max again ;)

Looks exactly like the scoops Ford used on the Mustang in the early 70's. doubt Pontiac will go with it.

Someone educate me on the LS2, what kind of power we talkin?

Any pictures would be nice!

Hang on the pilots cars ie the protypes are comming down the production line?? At what piont does this seem like wishful thinking from the old school GTO boys? :flush:

...........

Originally posted by edge929@Dec 10 2003, 05:44 PM
Someone educate me on the LS2, what kind of power we talkin?

Any pictures would be nice!
LS2 is a 400HP 6.0L Gen IV V8

I could see the GTO getting that hood, The SLP GP already has one like it http://slpeng.com/vehicles/grandprix/index.html

http://slpeng.com/vehicles/gallery/gtxgal1.jpg

Originally posted by Murray@Dec 10 2003, 11:40 PM
Hang on the pilots cars ie the protypes are comming down the production line?? At what piont does this seem like wishful thinking from the old school GTO boys? :flush:


That is from a guy who works in the Holden factory. He has given many people a heads up on whats coming soon from Holden as he gets to see it. Having pilots cars going down the production line is normal practice for Holden it seems.

Yeah every Friday after the 2 hour lunch they let the line workers have freedom of expression for the rest of the day. Whatever comes out at the end is the next pilot vehicle. ;)

ugh, hood scoops :flush:

With a 400 pony LS2, Corvette sales will sag to much and the 350Z beating it out this year for best sports car sales is a blow to GM. I really don't think they're gonna put 400 ponies in the GTO for the 05 model. Maybe 06 and later, but not 05.

So far, I like the "Tiger King" sketch the best (gold colored concept sketch posted on these forums) with the scoops and everything. That one is way more feasible than anything else I've seen or heard.

But if this guy is right, then tell him to take some pics when no one's looking!

You don't think he's referring to the Autocross version? :drevil:

They have 400 ponies and dual exhaust, but no scoops..... yet

Originally posted by zAp@Dec 11 2003, 02:11 AM
Yeah every Friday after the 2 hour lunch they let the line workers have freedom of expression for the rest of the day. Whatever comes out at the end is the next pilot vehicle. ;)
LOL I bet we would have some much better stuff if that were true!!

:laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce: :laughbounce:

the guy said the vehicle/s have minders which follow it on the production line so no pictures are taken

Originally posted by edge929@Dec 11 2003, 03:13 PM
With a 400 pony LS2, Corvette sales will sag to much and the 350Z beating it out this year for best sports car sales is a blow to GM. I really don't think they're gonna put 400 ponies in the GTO for the 05 model. Maybe 06 and later, but not 05.

So far, I like the "Tiger King" sketch the best (gold colored concept sketch posted on these forums) with the scoops and everything. That one is way more feasible than anything else I've seen or heard.

But if this guy is right, then tell him to take some pics when no one's looking!

You don't think he's referring to the Autocross version? :drevil:

They have 400 ponies and dual exhaust, but no scoops..... yet
Vette won Car and Drivers Best sports car.

I don't think a 400HP GTO will steal sales from the 400HP C6 Vette. Remember the GTO will be about 500-600lbs. heavier. Camaro SS/ Firehawk/WS6 Didn't steal sales from the Vette, the GTO won't either. They are 2 different types of cars (2+2 lux coupe vs. 2 seater sleak sports car)

If they're so different, then why did I come 2 days close to buying a Z06 instead of my reserved GTO?

I guess some people would put them in the same category. The only reason I'm not getting the Z06 is becuase I need an everyday-er car that's reasonaly practical. The 2+2 of the GTO gives me that, but I still have power to play with on the weekends!

Oh, I was referring to the current C5's

Moving to the news section:)

get the z06 you wont regreat it. iran 12.18 with 200 miles. ;)

Wow thats weird...my ol man's 02 zo6 ran consistent 13.2. None of us could get it in the 12's even with slicks. :unsure:

could be elevation.

Wow thats weird...my ol man's 02 zo6 ran consistent 13.2. None of us could get it in the 12's even with slicks.


Or drivers ;)

Could be the year too. The 01 is less powerful than the 02 and newer.

Hi guys. I just registered. I like this site already and I love the new GTO. I plan to acquire one in the next year or so. I don't care if the 05 and later models have scoops or not. Actually one of the things I like best about the car is that its styling is a little understated. I always thought Pontiac styling was a little too "busy" which is why I went shopping for a 96/97 Camaro SS last spring and not a TA. A little more power would be nice. The best change would also be the cheapest. Give it a proper dead pedal for my left foot when it's not working the clutch.

Welcome aboard!!
:ph34r: :ph34r:

LS2 stock? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

The C6 isn't even officially out yet, and drivetrains from the Corvette aren't really used in anything else until the current model cycle is near completion.

The GTO will remain status quo through it's three year production, with things like hood scoops added (and I hope to GM that they're functional and not just for looks).

We might see a special edition with and LS6, but the only place you'll be seeing LS2s is under the hoods of Corvettes, at least for the foreseeable future.

Trishield,
This has been discussed on this and the sister forum quite a lot. There are a few very good sources that say the ls2 will be in the 05 GTO. Also check out www.ls1.com.au where one of the Holden employees has test driven the ls2 GTO and has pics. Doesn't mean 100% will happen but it cannot be easily dismissed.
:ph34r: :ph34r:

Tails~

You know I have been right on with the GTO information up to this point, why would I make up stuff now. LS-2 in 2005!!!

Hope you get your car soon. Did you get a VIN yet?

Take it for fact Trishield.

chotton

Thanks for the tips. As a follow up, any "buzz" on whether or not an automatic as well as a manual will be offered with the LS2?

Personally, I'm a little disappointed that the 5 speed automatic wasn't offered with the new C6 Vette and it just gets an upgraded 4 speed. Having a 5 speed auto with some sort of tap-shift/manumatic would be nice.

:)

The 5 speed auto was tested but could not handle the power. They are currently working on an upgrade to correct this. Posted on GMInsidenews.com

I think you would find that GM have said that one of the plants that make the 4 speed autos will be converted to make 6 speed autos that will be able to handle the power of the LS2/LS7.

I dont have any 100% correct information on the transmission front. My guess would be since the Vette isn't getting it the GTO wont either.

As for a tap shift type of trans. If they do it it better be better than the gimick of a trans that is in the Grand Prix comp G. It shifts way to slow. The GTO needs a tranny on the lines of the SMG (semi manual gearbox) that is offered in the M3. On the M3 this tranny is costs in the arounf $2,500 so it's not cheep but VERY VERY good.

Originally posted by crYnOid@Jan 11 2004, 11:45 PM
I think you would find that GM have said that one of the plants that make the 4 speed autos will be converted to make 6 speed autos that will be able to handle the power of the LS2/LS7.
prolly not... doing that would require adding space in a plant to deal with an additional planetary...

right now, there's 3 plants making the 4l 60, none of which are remotely suited to making a 6 speed. there's one plant (ypsi transmission, which isn't operational) that will be making the rwd 6 speed... and based on all press releases, and the timelines that have been shown, there's no plans for *anywhere* else to make a rwd 6 speed in the remote future...

matt

<edit>

although you're sort of right, cause YTO (ypsi trany operations) is being made in the middle of Willow Run, who currently makes tons of components, torque convertors, and the 4L80. But even though it will physically be in that plant, it will be completely blocked off from the rest of willow - YTO workers will have a separate parking lot, cafeteria, etc. and large walls will block the workers from entering any part of the willow run plant

i got a question about the new 05 gtos. Since it is going to have a 400hp engine, im pretty sure its going to be manuel. Does any one know if it has automatic as a trans? Or is it just going to have a 6speed?
THANKS

Why would you think that a 400 HP engine equates to a manual? The standard tranny for the 350 HP '04 is an automatic.

Originally posted by kev555@Jun 15 2004, 05:08 PM
i got a question about the new 05 gtos. Since it is going to have a 400hp engine, im pretty sure its going to be manuel. Does any one know if it has automatic as a trans? Or is it just going to have a 6speed?
THANKS
It'll have an automatic...some are praying for a 5 speed auto. Not sure if that'll happen for '05 though. :type:

how sure are you that it will have a auto trans. And im just asking if it has a auto trans, because why would they make a 400hp muslce car with a auto. You would be lossing more hp due to the torque convertor, at least thats what one of my friends has told me. I was also just wondering if it came with a auto trans, because my fathers cobra came stock with 390hp and it only comes in a stick, so my point was that if the gto has 400hp, the only trans would be a manuel.

It will come with the old standby 4L60E Hydramatic 4 speed automatic as stated in the 2005 GTO information that was posted earlier but pulled due to GM's screw up.

The Vette will have the LS2 and the automatic also.

The engine won't be "losing" any horsepower. It may have slightly less rear wheel horsepower than the manual but not that much.

It WILLL, I repeat, it WILL have an automatic. :)

Originally posted by kev555@Jun 15 2004, 10:02 PM
You would be lossing more hp due to the torque convertor, at least thats what one of my friends has told me. I was also just wondering if it came with a auto trans, because my fathers cobra came stock with 390hp and it only comes in a stick, so my point was that if the gto has 400hp, the only trans would be a manuel.
The amount of horsepower doesn't matter. The loss is around 15% for a manual and 22% or more for most autos. In actuality, the difference in acceleration between an automatic and manual gets less the more power the car has.
The Cobra is manual only because ford is trying to pass it off as an ethusiast car, not due to mechanical reasons.