The 3.6 liter DOHC V6 found in the current generation Chevrolet Camaro is a fine engine and makes a solid 312 horsepower. This engine is actually rather simple and very efficient but the Camaro is a heavy car and 312 horsepower can feel sometimes boring especially when this engine makes most of its power up top. Chevrolet has decided to remedy that by going high-tech for 2012 and building special aluminum cylinder heads with integrated exhaust manifolds.
These new heads eliminate cast-iron exhaust manifolds, 18 total bolts, two gaskets and heat shields by combining all those things into one. This saves 13 lbs and ends the potential of head gasket failure. “It’s just like removing a set of golf clubs from your car when you don’t need them – ultimately it saves fuel. When combined with other mass reductions, the customer will see better fuel economy over time with better performance,” said Ameer Haider, GM assistant chief engineer for V6 engines.
The new heads on the V6 will not only improve fuel mileage and bring the EPA highway rating up to 30 mpg, but they also increase airflow by 7 percent. That increased flow-rate brings the horsepower rating up as well to 324. That is quite a bit more than the V6 Mustang and getting very close to the big V6 Nissan. “Emissions, performance, fuel economy, and noise all improve with the integrated exhaust manifold,” said Haider.
