4.2 I6

Raczar · April 23, 2001

I'm thinking about trading a 98 Explorer V8 LTD for a 2002 Envoy. Mainly because of the positive tech specs and press it's getting in the media. What's the real story? Is the engine totally new or has a variation of it been used in other vehicles ? Does it really have a 7 qt oil pan ? What testing has it undergone ?

Thanks in advance for the info.

Frank S · April 23, 2001

It' really a fairly new design so their may be some risk involved on that end but of the tests I've seen,I haven't heard anything bad about it.

It is supposed to have good torque and horsepower through a very wide rpm range and it is also supposed to be a very smooth running engine.

Welcome to the site.

Zane · April 24, 2001

The new I-6 is really all new. Yes it has a large oil pan, but i'm not sure the exact capacity.

GM claims that the new 4.2 is one of the most toughly tested and best enginerred engines they have made.

I'm planning on driving a new Trailblazer tomorrow, and i'll give you a report to how it feels.

Raczar · May 18, 2001

Re the oil quantity, I recently test drove a 2002 Trailblazer and checked out the owner's manual. Seven quarts with the filter. I'd like to know what made the engineers decide to go with a 7 qt pan.

Shaners · May 18, 2001

There's nothing wrong with a larger oilpan. The oil will become contaminated at a slower rate.. These new GM vehicles monitor oil life and tell you when it needs changed via the "message center".

From what I've read this new motor will make your Explorer feel like it has a V-6 instead of a V-8. Yhe beauty of an inline versus a V-6 is that it has low down torque and will run silky smooth. That's why all the European manufacturers offer inlines versus V configurations. It gives the performance numbers of a V-8, but it idles and accelerates linerally.

delphi · June 12, 2001

I had the TrailBlazer for a day. It doesn't feel like it has 270hp to me. I expected it to have gobs of power. I think my disappointment comes from the fact that it develops peak horsepower at 6K RPMs. Just stomping your foot to the floor doesn't make the car leap from a stand still. You have to wait until you're rolling before any decent power can be appreciated.

Not only that, but I've found that dropping your foot to the floor while traveling around 35mph doesn't seem to do it either. The tranny dropped down one gear and still didn't bring the RPMs high enough to impress me or my passenger. At around 50mph you can wind out the motor and see some significant passing power.

I'd guess that if you're going to be trailering Jetskis on the beach, the 17" tires are going to be significantly better than what was on last year's model, but you may need to leave it in 4wd Low in order to get the engine in the best operating RPMs. Low range will probably also be necessary to get 1st, 2nd, and 3rd gear ratios a little closer together so that the shifts will take place without bogging down the engine.

This car's accelleration feels like a turbo charged 4 cylinder in a heavy car and I think you'll have to drive it like one to make it go fast.

Maybe the 4 liter v8 from the Aurora would be a nice power plant for this vehicle.

The i6 may not feel like a v8, but I'm sure it's fuel economy is more comparable to a v6.

JohnGMC · July 2, 2001

I drove a GMC envoy yesterday,I have a 95 S10 Blazer,and to be honest,I expected a lot from the 4.2,after reading all the write ups on it,All I can say is,it is smooth,but very underpowered IMO.The engine is very peaky,and doesnt come on until 4800 RPM's,at whick point it hits hard,and pulls to 5500-shifts and falls out of the powerband again.My Blazers 195hp 4.3 feels much torquier,and is not as soggy down low.The problem to me is-it weighs about 4750 lbs,and needs a V8-simple as that,4.2 liters is not enough to move that weight comfortably.I couldnt imagine a 5K trailer behind this thing,you would need to keep it at 5 grand to pull any hills.I absolutely love the rest of the truck,and would have bought it if it had decent power.

Bonedoc · July 16, 2001

"turbo charged four cylinder"??

Hmmm, well... maybe the 4.2 you drove feels like

that, but I've had a TB 4.2 4wd for about 1000 mi,

and while I'm not stomping on it all over the place,

it has significantly more power than my friends

V8 Explorer! No questions. It is 'smooth' at the

start and those who comment on the peaking power

are correct. As the RPMs climb, it does push you

back... the engine is remarkable quiet, never sounds

busy. From about 30 or so, the kick down is to first

and there is gobs of power... Maybe 'mine' is

"special" but I doubt it. Most of the reviews also

indicate superior power in most ranges.

Now I'm looking for the 'dual exhaust' for this

TB... anyone know if they are made yet?

Thanks.

Doc

delphi · July 16, 2001

I've driven:

TrailBlazer LTZ (1 day, 100 miles)

Bravada

Envoy (with 3.4 and 3.7 final drive ratios)

Is it possible your car has the optional 4.1 final drive ratio? If yes, are you getting close to the same fuel economy as a v8?

I plan on driving a v8 Explorer/Mountaineer. If this is slower and gets worse fuel economy than the GMs, I guess ity's time for me to look at the v8 Pathfinder.