Crazy Pontiac Solstice

[masraum]

Hot Rod Magazine is performing an engine swap on the Pontiac Solstice with the help of the GM Performance Division.

What happens when you take one of these:



and then add one of these

[img]http://www.corvet****seum.com/specs/2006/images/LS7_Drawing.jpg[/img]

If you think the glory days of hot rodding were the '60s, then you wouldn't be interested in dropping a 427ci, 550-plus-hp killer small-block crate engine into a modern, 2,800-pound roadster.

Here's the article
hotrod.com/projectbuild/hdrp_0605_pontiac_solstice_project_v8_engine_build/index.html

[Moses]

Linky no worky.

[scottmandue]

There was some other performance shop that was going to do a V8 swap into a solstice... don't remember their name, I will see if I can dig it up.

[fastpat]

They're blocking a direct link, go to http://www.hotrod.com/ and it's on the list of articles, later you may have to use their search engine, using Solstice V8 as the key words.

[widebody911]

Is it just me, or does the solstice look like a miata with a bad grille transplant?

[lendaddy]

I like the Solstice, in person it is a much more bold design. I just get the idea that 5k miles in she'll develope the "GM rattle and hum" if you will.

[scottmandue]

Did someone say Miata?

http://www.ls1miata.net/gallery/miata?page=14

[tchanson]

Is this different from what Mallett is already doing?



You should see that grille when there is a front plate hanging off it...


Tim

[masraum]

Originally posted by tchanson
Is this different from what Mallett is already doing?



Tim

It's a little different. The Mallet cars are 400hp from a smaller V-8. THe Hotrod car is using a 7.0L engine putting out 575hp.

but yes, very similar.

[MichiganMat]

I bet it handles like a dream too, with that monster motor hanging halfway over the front axle. I have a vision of this thing roasting the tires off itself for lack of rearward weight, and the understeering itself straight into a ditch.

[scottmandue]

Originally posted by tchanson
Is this different from what Mallett is already doing?



You should see that grille when there is a front plate hanging off it...


Tim

That is the "other" car I was thinking of, thanks Tim

[masraum]

Originally posted by MichiganMat
I bet it handles like a dream too, with that monster motor hanging halfway over the front axle. I have a vision of this thing roasting the tires off itself for lack of rearward weight, and the understeering itself straight into a ditch.

Do a little more reading.
http://www.corvet****seum.com/specs/2006/LS7.shtml

LS7 engine

Block configuration cast aluminum with pressed-in cylinder sleeves and 6-bolt, forged steel main bearing caps

Crankshaft forged steel

Connecting rods forged titanium

Pistons cast aluminum

Cylinder heads CNC-ported aluminum; 70-cc chamber volume

Valve size, intake (mm / in) 56 / 2.20 (titanium)

Valve size, exhaust (mm / in) 41 / 1.61 (sodium-filled)

Because the front axle is so far forward on the car most of the engine is way back in the chassis. I bet the car still handles pretty well.

Don't think that just because the engine is big that it has to be heavy. I believe it's been shown here on Pelican several times that a small block chevy is actually lighter than the engine out of a 911 turbo. Hell, at 427ci the thing must be mostly hollow.

[masraum]

Some info that I found online for the LS1/LS6 engine which is basically the same, except that the LS7 should be lighter due to some extra titanium bits

TOTAL, COMPLETE, FULLY DRESSED, FULLY OILED, crate ls1 from GM is 458#s

This is with manifolds, and a clutch.

Clutch tips the scales @ 49#s, and the cast iron manifolds are 13 each. Subtract this from the motor, and you get 383#s, with oil, intake, coil packs, Water pump, pan, filter, TB, you name it, sans manifolds and clutch. Not bad!

BTW, a complete head with valves and springs is 24#s. FYI

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by widebody911
Is it just me, or does the solstice look like a miata with a bad grille transplant?

Naw, you're right...which means it still looks better than a Boxster.
Actually,all the little roadsters look pretty much the same to me...I'm not trying to be funny here. It's hard for me to distinguish one from another at 100 yards.

I'm still a subscriber to HOT ROD...have been since high school.
Don't knock the small block chevrolet V-8. It's really a pretty impressive piece these days. Weight to power ratio, it probably walks all over the P-car engines. I don't have the exact number at hand. But if I had to bet, I'd bet that pounds/ horsepower, the Z-06 engine wins over the GT3 Porsche...

[tobster1911]

I love the fact that they are bringing back the 427 engine. My dream car would be a '67 or '68 vette with the L88. From the corvette history site

"1967
The 427-ci L88 engine with about 560-hp debuts on the 1967 Corvette. Only 20 are sold this year; price for the engine alone is almost $1000. "

[Jims5543]

The Solstice looks like it "should" have a V-8 in it IMHO. Every time I see one on the street I stare for a second then remember it has a wheezy 4 banger in it.

400+ HP in that thing? Thats scary.

Thanks for the weight on the LS1 you have no idea how ofter people argue in the RX-7 workd over that engine weight. They always compare a stripped, dry, LS1 to a long block, wet rotary.

All I know is 2 people can lift a Rotary off the ground and carry it with ease. We even picked one up and put it in my truck once.

That car with a V-8 is will be one scary ride.

[fastpat]

Originally posted by tobster1911
I love the fact that they are bringing back the 427 engine. My dream car would be a '67 or '68 vette with the L88. From the corvette history site

It's displacement is the same, but it's based on the small block, not the old big block.

[pwd72s]

Originally posted by fastpat
It's displacement is the same, but it's based on the small block, not the old big block.

Exactly...pretty impressive development, considering that the small block chevrolet V-8 first hit the streets at 265 cubic inches, back in 1955.

[tobster1911]

Originally posted by fastpat
It's displacement is the same, but it's based on the small block, not the old big block.

I am aware of that. Thanks though.

[fastpat]

That's the same engine a friend of mine just had installed in his ZR6, but that car weighs a lot more than a Solstice.