Shelby-esque Sky for $47,000?

[Ahnuld]

Calm down... Hypothetical.

I was behind a new Shelby convertible this morning. 500hp. Looking at the ford site, the Shelby is $16,000 more than the Stang GT convertible.

So... if Saturn had an official 500 hp version of the Sky, with full warranty, that cost $47,000... would ya be interested?

Not that it would ever happen, as GM has the Corvette for that HP. I think Ford needs the Shelby Stang as they dont have seperate models.

just curious...

[Ahnuld]

Actually... 47,000 of corvette gets you 430hp. Which makes my scenarion in the first post even more unlikely... (A same prices sky with more HP).

But its still fun to speculate...

[2Kool4Skool]

There's already a 400hp Sky available for 45,000. It's called the Mallett Sky. Unfortunately the warranty from Saturn is void. If I'm going to pay 45-50 grand for a car I would buy an older viper, I like that body style better anyway.

[Darkwing]

IMO a $ 47,000 Shelby is still a Mustang like thousands of others on the road. Kinda like my Ford Focus tuner friends. If you put $ 10,000 into getting 300 HP out of a Focus in the end you still have a Focus. Skys and Vettes are more unique and more eye appealing.

[V8 SKY]

Originally Posted by 2Kool4Skool

There's already a 400hp Sky available for 45,000. It's called the Mallett Sky. Unfortunately the warranty from Saturn is void. If I'm going to pay 45-50 grand for a car I would buy an older viper, I like that body style better anyway.

Not true that the warranty from Saturn is void on the Mallett. All non-engine / drivetrain parts will retain their full warranty. Actually, so does the non-Mallett Drivetrain as it realtes to TSBs - I had my differential replaced UNDER WARRANTY for the leak and clutch pack issues.

Now, if my transimssion or differential should be destroyed because of the engine, I would not expect Saturn to honor any warranty.

I am totally happy with my Mallett SKY - well worth the $$$ and a very professional install. I did not want a Vette, I wanted a SKY - I just wanted to have a V8 as well.

[2Kool4Skool]

I'm sorry, I completely forgot to put the disclaimer "I could be wrong, but I think the Saturn warranty is void with the Mallett conversion. My bad, I didn't mean to state that as fact. Hey, If I had the money floating around I would totatlly do the Mallett conversion.

[marlboromike]

Mallet gives the warranty on their Corvette engine..I believe it is 2 years...meanwhile, get this, Mustang is coming out with the replica of the Steve McQueen stang...only 7 thousand will be built...Green with black interior and starting at 31K...a collectors edition if I ever heard one...they should give u the movie with the car..

[lostcause]

how does the mallet conversion affect the balance and weight distribution of the car? My understanding is that as it is, from the factory, the balance is almost perfect.

[Midnight Sky]

Originally Posted by Darkwing

IMO a $ 47,000 Shelby is still a Mustang like thousands of others on the road. Kinda like my Ford Focus tuner friends. If you put $ 10,000 into getting 300 HP out of a Focus in the end you still have a Focus. Skys and Vettes are more unique and more eye appealing.

I'm always getting these ricer guys popping up beside me wanting to race and I'm like, dude, no matter how much money you put into a POS Civic it will still be a POS Civic.

***P.S. I can say that because I traded a Civic in to get the Sky***

[Darkwing]

Originally Posted by Midnight Sky

I'm always getting these ricer guys popping up beside me wanting to race and I'm like, dude, no matter how much money you put into a POS Civic it will still be a POS Civic.

***P.S. I can say that because I traded a Civic in to get the Sky***

And I still own a Focus

[Ahnuld]

Ford Bullitt.... 31,000 and 315hp.... cold-air intake. Factory warranty

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/la_a...Rpb24tZm9yZA--


Please please please... dont take my comments the wrong way. I LOVE my sky. I GET that the Sky is better looking and more unique than the Stang.

My point is, Saturn needs to start upping the available HP from factory. I drool over all the enhancements people are putting into thier skys, but I dont want to deal with non-warrranty bs.

[Bogie]

Originally Posted by Ahnuld

My point is, Saturn needs to start upping the available HP from factory. I drool over all the enhancements people are putting into thier skys, but I dont want to deal with non-warrranty bs.

If you look at the design and engineering decision that went into the Solstice (and I presume were carried into the SKY), engine size and relalated weight issues were critical to the design. Bigger/heavier engine puts more weight up front (messing up balance, changing suspension needs, and ultimately messing with cornering engineering), it requires heftier supports (more weight) and more capable drive train (more weight), and the inertia requires bigger more capable brakes...and to take advantage of the power you need wider 19 inch tires, running past the design margin of the wheel well.

Folks like Mallet do an excellent job in engineering their enhancements. You can't just slap a bigger engine in and go. You gotta do a lot of engineering. In fact, GM engineers were nicely surprised at what Mallet was capable of doing with a kappa. But there is a big difference between "custom" enhancements for a thousand or so vehicles being sold to individuals who should know what they're getting into (literally and figuratively) and doing the engineering for an assembly line production model that must meet all sorts of tolerance, warranty, and legal (law and liability) thresholds.

In a nutshell, the Solstice and SKY were ENGINEERED as the complete package you see today. You may see some incremental enhancements that might push 'em into the 300+ HP realm (using same or similar size/weight engines) in the few years to come, but I can't see any production models sporting anything larger or heavier. Of course, if the models do indend create their own long-term tradition (like the Vette, with a significant model shift ever five years or so), then you might see a bigger engine. But I can't see it with the current line. The big engines take a major re-engineering effort that only comes with full blown long term engineering development.

[Ahnuld]

Originally Posted by Bogie

If you look at the design and engineering decision that went into the Solstice (and I presume were carried into the SKY), engine size and relalated weight issues were critical to the design. Bigger/heavier engine puts more weight up front (messing up balance, changing suspension needs, and ultimately messing with cornering engineering), it requires heftier supports (more weight) and more capable drive train (more weight), and the inertia requires bigger more capable brakes...and to take advantage of the power you need wider 19 inch tires, running past the design margin of the wheel well.

Folks like Mallet do an excellent job in engineering their enhancements. You can't just slap a bigger engine in and go. You gotta do a lot of engineering. In fact, GM engineers were nicely surprised at what Mallet was capable of doing with a kappa. But there is a big difference between "custom" enhancements for a thousand or so vehicles being sold to individuals who should know what they're getting into (literally and figuratively) and doing the engineering for an assembly line production model that must meet all sorts of tolerance, warranty, and legal (law and liability) thresholds.

In a nutshell, the Solstice and SKY were ENGINEERED as the complete package you see today. You may see some incremental enhancements that might push 'em into the 300+ HP realm (using same or similar size/weight engines) in the few years to come, but I can't see any production models sporting anything larger or heavier. Of course, if the models do indend create their own long-term tradition (like the Vette, with a significant model shift ever five years or so), then you might see a bigger engine. But I can't see it with the current line. The big engines take a major re-engineering effort that only comes with full blown long term engineering development.

Great information... thanks for taking the time to type out the detail

Honestly... I dont care about a bigger engine size... (I have many Mopar buds who get caught up in "its a 440")... what really matters to me is HP and I guess, torque. I'll still take the 2.0 engine, but put on a factory authorized CAI, factory ECM tune, tweak a few other things... and lets get this 2.0 engine pumping out 340hp.... under warranty! or, if the discussions are true that i've read, how about a Super Sky model that cranks out 500hp!? (dreaming, I know) Actually... I think its cool that a 2.0 engine can out perform a 5.0 or larger engine!

Sort've like the old saying... "Then don't want to know what's in the sausage, they just want the sausage"

[skillz1981]

http://www.opel.com/brand_sites/opelgt/flash.html

I'm new here and haven't seen the rest of the threads, but no one in this thread has talked about the 2.0 turbo ecotec that GM has for the Sky. Made in the US, but not sold here, the engine is fitted to the absolutely cool Opel GT. Bringing HP to 264 with a factory turbo, this engine would produce much more with a few tweaks. This car looks even better the the Sky (hard to believe with the great looks of the Sky) even though basically the same thing due to the differences in standards between US and the EU. 5.7 seconds 0 to 62 is respectable when comparing to the other cars in it's price range (est. 44k US). (0 to 62 is was not a typo. The only info I could get was for 0 to 100km)

BMW Z4 Starting 40k with 3.0
255 horsepower and the ability to go from 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds.

Porsche Boxster Starting at 45.8k
245 horsepower 0-60 in 5.8 seconds

Now the price estimate I gave included importation to Germany and included VAT. The car is made in the same plant as the Saturn and Pontiac so no importation would be needed and those taxes would be gone as well. Given this info I would believe that a Saturn Sky with this turbo engine would come in at 35k tops, well below the rivals.

Based on looks the Sky would win hands down and the couple tenths of a second slower 0 to 60 wouldn't stop me from getting one.

SO...Lets get GM to give us the cars we want. The first gen Sky was a start now lets get the power right. Then start getting the European cars like the VX220 turbo (same size engine, built by Lotus, better looking the the Elise, targa top, MR engine configuration, and handling to do real world roads that don't go straight or in a circle.) Note: I know this car is no long produced, but Lotus still can do so if Vauxhall (AKA GM) would ask for it.

Sorry to rant in the last part, but I'm tired of seeing the American built cars I want sent across the Atlantic and the US being stuck with limited engine sizes and mid-ranged performance. The guy who has the Focus should know what I mean. The Focus RS has much more power with a turbo and a crazy front dif.

If we want these cars we have to show the demand to the companies who make them.

[JeffInDFW]

My problem is, I like the instant torque of a small block V8. I love the SOUND of a small block V8. I love putting a cam with a 112 lobe separation in the V8 so you get that awsome lope......I want a Kappa with a V8. I don't remember the exact weight difference, but the aluminum block and head LS1, LS2, and now LS3 only weigh a small amount more than the turbocharged 2.0 in the Sky redline (along with its intercooler, and extra piping, etc). It is nothing like you would think.....

I know a lot of people say, "then get a Vette". Well, I like the smaller size of the Kappas. I also think they are better looking. You also get something unique with a V8 Kappa.....I just wish I could get one factory. SO, to answer your question, yes, I would stand outside the dealership in the rain waiting for them to open with check in hand and sleeping bag ready to wait for them to deliver my dream car......a V8 Kappa. Come on Bob Lutz, you know you would love one also!!!

[Blue04RedLine]

Originally Posted by Ahnuld

Ford Bullitt.... 31,000 and 315hp.... cold-air intake. Factory warranty

http://autos.yahoo.com/articles/la_a...Rpb24tZm9yZA--


Please please please... dont take my comments the wrong way. I LOVE my sky. I GET that the Sky is better looking and more unique than the Stang.

My point is, Saturn needs to start upping the available HP from factory. I drool over all the enhancements people are putting into thier skys, but I dont want to deal with non-warrranty bs.

There was a "Bulllitt" edition in the last body style stang as well, same deal just different body style (I think 330hp).

As far as the HP upgrades from the factory, that's what the stage kits are going to be for. Give it 5 months or so (give or take a month) and you will have factory backed stage kits to increase power in all sorts of ways. GM took the idea from Mopar (on the Neon SRT4) and applied it first to the LSJ market (Cobalt SS and Ion Red Line) with their own stage kits, in 3 different levels (and yes, they took forever to come out). Stage 3 came with a "off road only" PCM with High Octane Mode (for race gas) and a control for nitrous. That's just to show the extent that GM went with their previous stage kits. As great as the performance is with the LNF cars, GM purposely held it back from the levels it could easily (and easily will) reach in order to sell these stage kits in the futre. It's a smart ploy on their part, and the kits will still ratain factory warrany completely (as long as you let them do the install).

[Ahnuld]

Originally Posted by Blue04RedLine

...As far as the HP upgrades from the factory, that's what the stage kits are going to be for. Give it 5 months or so (give or take a month) and you will have factory backed stage kits to increase power in all sorts of ways....

Coolness. This is what I am looking for. 5-6 months isnt too bad right now, with winter coming in.

[Sierra Shark]

Originally Posted by Midnight Sky

I'm always getting these ricer guys popping up beside me wanting to race and I'm like, dude, no matter how much money you put into a POS Civic it will still be a POS Civic.

***P.S. I can say that because I traded a Civic in to get the Sky***

Reminds me of the old Jay Leno joke. When he was a guest on the Johnny Carson Show he claimed that Johnny was the only guy he knew of that had a $ 500,000.00 Chevy Chevette. A $3000 car with $497,000 worth of accessories. If I'm in market to spend $47k that cars name will start with "P" and end with "ORSCHE". That's why I bought the Redline. Most bang for the buck.