Wittom, I dont believe you did you homework on the 4.2 24 valve straight six in the Trailblazer,the torque curve is even flatter than our 5.4.The 4.2 in my wifes Trailblazer(with 3.73 gears) produces 95% of available torque(275 ft lbs)at 1600 rpm,and pulls hard all the way up to the peak at 4700 rpm(if youve ever driven a straight six you would remember how strong they pull at low rpm).It feels like it pulls harder down low than my 2002 Screw with 5.4.Theres alot of other engines to pick on out there(my coworkers 1999 Dakota 5.2 wont get out of its own way while guzzling 12 mpg)for having unusable(too high in the RPM range) power and torque but the DOHC 24 valve 4.2 liter Vortec straight six isnt one of them.

 

yup sure seems to be that chevy is the king of horsepower. comon ford, get off your **** and make some decent power.

 

Those inline 6 engines in the trailblazer's are getting excellent reviews and remarks. Very quiet engine with good mileage. Just hope you never have to work on one. The driveshaft goes through the oil pan.

 

I sure do hope I never have to work on one! We are impressed with the 24.5 mpg on the highway for an SUV with 270 hp, and a 6400 lb tow rating.We still love our 02 Screw though! It will be interesting to see what the new 3 valve per cylinder 5.4 can do.

 

Yes, you are correct. I didn't do my homework. (I vaguely remember posting something about that engine. You must have been digging, which is good because there is a lot of good stuff buried) Truth is, well I'm jelous. I claim to not be a brand loyalist but I guess in some ways I am. I think the Trailblazer sounds like a great SUV. My girls sister-in-law drives one. She is quite happy with it. I don't think she is all that interested in torque curves but she says it does a good job of hauling the kids around. I only wish Ford would have been the one to use an inline six like that.
So like I've done for Dodge with there HEMI, I will give Chevy credit for the 4.2. I might have been worried about being beat by one but now (that I've bolted on a hundred hp) I think I could take one.
I stand corrected.

Tom

 

It's a good engine, alright... but the majority of people I've talked to say the power is adequate at best.

A few quotes from Four Wheeler Magazine, Feb 2002:

"Avoid it if... You expect excitement when you plant your right foot."

"This engine's 4.2 liters, 270 horsepower and 275 lb-ft of torque all look good on paper, but most of our judges described the Vortec's power as adequate at best. It just doesn't deliever that push-you-back-in-the-seat sensation that the big V-8's and some of the V-6's provide. Mind you, we won't describe the TrailBlazer as underpowered, but it doesn't possess the performance that it's statistics promise."

Personally, I think it's kind of foolish to have the drive shaft and gears in the engine oil. You break an axle, and all the fragments are in your engine, destroying everything that can get you home. Not to mention if you develop an oil leak, there goes your front differential.

Just my $.02

-Flea

 

Edmunds did a test on SUVs and the Trailblazer was only slightly quicker than the 4.6 Explorer. In all fairness the 4.6 has the new five speed auto and is fairly quick. Looking at the output ratings, you would think the 4.6 wouldn't do so well compard to the Trailblazer.

 

Hey bill maier, what 3v 5.4?

 

It's the next generation of Tritons... they're gonna have about 300-325 hp and I'm not sure how much torque. They're gonna be powerful, though. I can't wait until the 3-v hits the Lightning...

-Flea

 

is this going to be available in the standard 5.4? when when when???

 

HI!... The way I hear is that the 3-valve 5.4 heads will be available in 2004. I've already seen a few pais at my buddies machine shop. They are sweet! There was no valve covers there but the heads were complete with valves and cams. They will be running 2 small intakes and one large exhaust valve. The spark plig ports are now relocated to the center of the head, meaning that most likely the coils will be sticking through the center of the valve covers. This eans spark plug changes will be ten times easier. I wish I could get some pics but it was NOT allowed. I definately WANT a set!!!!!! The way I hear the 5.4 equipped with these heads and spiecal inatake will be pushing about 300 - 315H.P (FLYWHEEL). but that's only rumor.

 

the chevy 4.2 is a nice engine. but chevy likes to advertise horsepower and their trucks are fast when empty. truck engines are about torque unless you're playing boy racer. that's why the 4.6 explorer is just as fast even though the horsepower rating is less. and the 4.6 would have to be better for towing etc.

 

well i would like a 270 hp 4.2, it has to be more powerfull than my 4.2 now my girlfreinds boss just got one, maybe he will let me ride in it to see what it acutally feels like.

 

I recently found out that a guy I know that works for Ford has driven the SC 5.4 24v. WOW, was the best description! It sounds like he get's to see a lot of SVT projects etc. as well as train or work with the SVT every now and then.

 

My lease is up in 2004!