What if GM bankrupts ?

[Michael Stoops]

Re: What if GM bankrupts ?

A buddy of mine and I were talking about Cadillacs yesterday. Can anyone enlighten me about the V8 they put in between 1980-85? I was told it was an engine that when it reached highway speeds, 4 of the 8 cylinders would cut out for increased gas mileage. Is this true? I also understand they had a major recall on these engines and they were a bad design.

Sounds like a great concept. As I am not mechanically inclined, I'd like to know why GM and other manufacturers don't try to perfect this technology.

I believe they may be doing it again these days, but I know for a fact that Chrysler is using cylinder deactivation in their 5.7L Hemi V8 fitted to the 300C, Charger and formerly to the Magnum. Technology has advanced a heck of a lot in the past 20 years so it's much, much better this time around. Several other manufacturers are using advanced stop/start technology whereby the engine will actually shut off at stoplights and then restart when the gas pedal is depressed. And this is NOT just in hybrids like the Toyota Prius. There's all sorts of new tech coming from all over the place these days. Diesel tech has advanced to a high degree as well; no more belching black smoke and no more horrible clattering from under the hood. Clean burn diesels that get incredible fuel economy with gobs of power are here. Heck, Audi has won the 24 Hours of LeMans the past few years with diesel powered racers - in the absolute top rank LMP1 category! Cool stuff.

[termigator69]

Re: What if GM bankrupts ?

GM was ahead of their time. It was a great concept, but I guess they rushed the development.

Honda is using that concept now in their V-6's. It's called Cylinder Deactivation. The engine will seamlessly shut off half the cylinders when car's computer determines that the engine can get by with less power, thereby saving fuel. My brother's Odyssey has it. A light in the dash turns on telling you when it happens. You really don't feel a thing at all.

[07g5gt]

Re: What if GM bankrupts ?

A buddy of mine and I were talking about Cadillacs yesterday. Can anyone enlighten me about the V8 they put in between 1980-85? I was told it was an engine that when it reached highway speeds, 4 of the 8 cylinders would cut out for increased gas mileage. Is this true? I also understand they had a major recall on these engines and they were a bad design.

gm still does that. its in most the V8s now. the grand prix GXP G8 GT impala SS and all there trucks do that. they run as a V8 till they need it then drop to a 4 or 6

my first car was a 91 honda civic SI hatchback. from the cracked dash to water in ever light and in my trunk to the oil comeing out the muffler i would not buy another one. i traded that in and got a 2001 pontiac Sunfire and i couldnt belive how difforent they where. i bought that car with 50k on it 3 years later sold it to my little cusion for her first car with over 100k on it and she is still driveing it. after the sunfire i bought a 2007 pontiac G5 GT and i love it. with 26k on it the dealer has not seen the car ones. alot of my friends drive hondas and acuras and everyones tranny has blown befor 100k. can honda build a tranny? my friends 07 civic SI his pops out of 3rd gear all the time and honda wont do anything about it he says.