So you're saying that this old, push rod designed V8 engine is exceptional compared to the other similar push rod motors so that's why even today, it is still being utilized by GM?
It's an exceptional engine, period. It's very fuel efficient for the power it makes. It's very light. It's very compact. It's very cost effective to produce. Other than some occasional problems with the cylinder deactivation, it's very reliable. There's a reason that it's a common swap into basically anything it will fit in, and why the list of things it will fit in is much more extensive than, say, a Ford Modular.
GM, already pouring a massive amount of cash into a the biggest redesign the Corvette has had in 22 years (though it would argue against it being as big of a clean sheet as the C5 was, mid engined or not), would do very well to not try to overreach and also try to throw out some untested engine in a car that will act as their flagship. They already had that problem with the C7.
Let's go back to 2005. You're trying to Jumpstart the Cadillac division by launching a flagship Mercedes Benz SL competitor. It will more than have the performance credentials, since it is being built off of the bones of the brand new Corvette C6. You're going all out to make it the best car the brand has had in 20 years. How do you power it? Do you choose the "modern" 32 valve DOHC engine that you've just updated with stuff like VVT? Or do you use the one that the Corvette already has, the "dated" pushrod setup?
The former? Great. Enjoy your Northstar. Have 80 less horsepower, about 5 less MPG, a quart of oil consumption every 1200 miles and 60 extra pounds sitting higher up on the front axle.
Let's go back to just before the millennium. You're GM, trying to Jumpstart the Cadillac division with an imported model to slot in as the entry level to compliment the new Seville. You have two cars to choose from to do this from different markets. Same platform for both. Same rough market position for both. Same horsepower for both. One market version has a "modern" twin cam V6 that's only three years old. The other market version has a "dated" pushrod V6 that (more or less) dates from 1962. Which one do you choose to localize for the American market?
I assume you chose the former, because OHC. Congratulations on releasing the Catera. You can look forward to endless warranty claims and lawsuits over that drivetrain for doing exactly what GM did in 1997.
Go back a bit further. You're GM, trying to Jumpstart the sales on your GM-10 platform cars with a new performance version to take on the Taurus SHO. You have two engines to do this with. One "modern" V6 with its shiny new DOHC head. The other a "dated" pushrod V6 that (more or less) dates from 1962 (yes, the same one) which is half a liter larger
and needs a supercharger to match the output of the former.
Which one do you choose to put in your SHO competitor? The former? Congratulations. You've equipped an engine that requires the intake removed to change the spark plugs. It has two timing belts
and a timing chain. You'll be cursed by dealers and repair shops for decades. Make sure you keep building it long after the "dated" pushrod V6 is updated to be similarly powerful naturally aspirated and 70 pounds lighter (
with significantly better fuel mileage) than the maintenance hell you unleashed on an unsuspecting public.
Go back one more time. You need to downsize. You've no choice. Your attempts at early variable displacement and diesel engines were a disaster. You need a new engine for the Cadillac range. Only the best will do. Tick off all the boxes you can feasibly do. All aluminum construction. Standard fuel injection. 8 cylinders. Nothing less for Cadillac, and no one else can have it.
Congratulations. You've made made the High Technology engine. On the rare occasion that it's actually running properly and not grenading under the hood of every car you've sold it in for half a decade, hopefully the people who literally paid Cadillac money (back before that meant with thousands of dollars of incentives) don't find out that the "dated" pushrod V6 that (more or less) dates from 1962 (yes, again, the same one) that is in the cheaper Buicks and Oldsmobile that you
already had is both more powerful and not a time bomb as the all new engine you put in all of your marketing.
Hopefully the point is gotten.
