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Pickups Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon - V8 for 2008
60 messages, Last post on Jul 16, 2008 at 3:38 PM
You are in the Chevrolet Colorado and GMC Canyon Forum. Your Host is kcram
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Replying to: greenjeanz (Feb 23, 2008 7:48 am) |
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| I did a lot of research on what this could entail as I'm very close to buying a 2008 Colorado. The best sources for model changes are the suppliers, as they need lead times of at least 6 months to get the prototypes built for testing on the assembly line. Looking at models from sister companies sharing the underpinnings is another way to look ahead. Wards has listed very few 355 platform contracts. Due to key interior supplier for the 355 platform Plastech going into bankruptcy, GM will most likely have little chance to get much new into the interior of the Colorado/Canyon/Hummer (Isuzu is dead as of July so not in the mix). Exterior changes appear to be in the front fascia with the rumor being a new face like a junior Silverado/Sierra being the sole 2009 change. The H3t interior showed very few new items with a prototype multi-function steering wheel the biggest change. Under the hood will most likely include the rumored V-8 with displacement on demand technology and a revised shift on the fly 4x4 setup. A diesel is most likely not in the early 2009 build mix based on the lack of contracts for key diesel accessory pieces. Some 2.9 L 4 cylinder changes indicate the engine may be ULEV/50 state for 2009 in all trim levels. General appears to have the tire contract into 2009 based on volumes contracted. A third suspension option appears to be part of the V-8 package and has been contracted. That's all I could find in the quasi-public domain. Unless you want a V-8, I don't think it's worth waiting for the 2009 models. | |
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Replying to: greenjeanz (Feb 23, 2008 7:48 am) The extra weight of the beefier rear diff and axles is 60 pounds. It is all steel/iron unlike the aluminum rear in the 5 cylinder unit. Since the base frame is a very light duty deal, there will be some stronger cross members added with stronger gussets where the rear bolts to the frame. To see the new rear in the flesh, go look under an 08 baby Hummer with V8. If GM is smart, they will offer an SS version. |
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Replying to: kcram (Feb 20, 2008 2:30 pm) Years ago, local governments could get very long term fuel contracts for diesel fuel and gasoline for their fleets. These old contracts could last as long as 2 or 3 years but now most contracts are only 1 to 3 months. This changes everything because you can still get long term contracts for propane. Again, i mean 2 year contracts. All diesel trucks now come from the factory with catylitic converters which added at least an extra $2,000 to the selling price on every truck. Why pay $10,000 extra now for a diesel engine on a pickup or small 5 ton truck when you can run gasoline or a combined gasoline/propane duel fuel system? Lets not forget the significant tax deductions for a car, bus or truck running LPG which offsets about half the cost of a propane conversion. For school buses and municipalities, they get 100% cost recovery from the Feds for a propane conversion. Diesels are for dino's. Are you still living in the past? How can you start a diesel engine every single time when it is minus 30 degrees? You can't. All the above facts speak for themselves but some people are thick headed. Some of the diesel fuel sold in North America comes from crude supplied by OPEC American hating countries. None of the LPG is sourced from any country that is unfriendly to the USA. OPEC does not control propane prices as the majors in the oil industry gave up on propane 40 years ago. That is why the posted pump price of propane rarely changes. Expect to get a 20 cent minimum discount per gallon for a propane fuel contract IF you deal directly with the major LPG companies. This means your price will be around $2.00 per U.S. gallon for propane in the winter and less in the summer months. Let's not forget that it is 105 octane and has 18% hydrogen which is why it burns so clean and completely. For the past 6 years now, propane port fuel injection systems have been used which gives 15 to 20% better fuel mileage than old tech propane carbs. I can put you in touch with shops in Buffalo, N.Y. and Pontiac, Mich if you want the best LPG conversion. it is a duel fuel system and leaves thae gasoline sytem in place in case you run out of propane. It automatically swtiches between fuels after it starts on gasoline. No problem there starting at minus 30 or minus 40 degrees. V8's rule. This is 2008, happy New Year. are you still in 1988? |
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Replying to: mark4biodiesel (Feb 24, 2008 2:00 am)
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Replying to: dmathews3 (Feb 24, 2008 2:49 am) |
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Replying to: mark4biodiesel (Feb 24, 2008 2:00 am)
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Replying to: poncho167 (Feb 25, 2008 12:11 am) Ford dropped the CNG option on it's full size Crown Victoria because natural gas gives poor fuel mileage compared to propane. CNG also produces less horsepower than LPG and anyone who wanted to run a cleaner greener vehicle looks at where they can get fuel when travelling long distances. CNG never worked in that regard but propane is readily available in every city and in many farm areas at farmers co-ops. There is a LPG conversion shop close to me that i have used for 26 years for conversions and any minor problems which have been nothing to speak of over the years. That shop maintains over 800 car, trucks, buses taxi's and airport limos. They have been in business for 34 years now and they know what they are doing. Six years ago in January, they were chosen to be the first shop to install a port fuel injection system. That system is dual fuel and heats the LPG inside a very small section of the end of the fuel tank. The car starts on gasoline and after the water temperature gets to about 80 degrees, it will switch automatically to LPG sending warm propane to the fuel injectors. This allows very long life for the fuel injectors with a 300,000 to 400,000 mile lifespan. Sending very cold liquid propane to the engine does not make good sense as it is so cold, it will burn you when putting it into the tank if you do not wear gloves when handling the hose. That is why the LPG liquid injection system does not get good fuel mileage as it cools down the engine. Another factor is performance in which warmed up propane works better. Remember heat is energy and the hotter most engines run ( within reason ) the better HP and torque they will have. We used to add a hotter thermostat in the winter months ( 200 degrees ) on propane and a cooler one in the summer ( 180 degrees ). This was for commercial operations where the car or truck was running non stop for 10 or 11 hours on end per shift. We always threw the old thermostat away, so twice a year the car would never ever have a problem with stuck units causing overheating and major downtime ( and cooked transmissions). Time is money so throw that cheap metal $6 thingie away and save thousands. The only problem ( once ) i had was the LPG fuel filter which slowed the car or truck down ( V8 Chev ) when it was dirty much sooner than expected. I suspect because the fuel tank was not properly cleaned out at the factory. All the 2006 and up GM and Ford/Lincoln with V8's have a higher compression ratio than in the past and you need that to take the best advantage of the 105 octane of propane. The engine computer will advance the timing to take advantage of the 105 octane giving better fuel mileage and performance. Most of the airport taxi's and limos put on 400,000 miles in 5 years so there is a lot of feedback for these LPG port fuel injection systems over the past 6 years. They get at least 15% better fuel mileage than the old type propane carb type of fuel system and that means thousands of dollars in fuel savings and better performance. I have driven over 80 commercial cars and trucks on LPG. Go with a bigger engine if you have an engine option for your car or truck and buy a bigger car so you can have some trunk space left after you add the propane tank. Send me a message before you decide to buy a New car or truck and i will give you some great advice.
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Replying to: mark4biodiesel (Feb 26, 2008 12:33 pm) Thanks! kcram - Pickups Host |
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Replying to: mark4biodiesel (Feb 26, 2008 12:33 pm) |
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