http://www.chevrolet.com/pop/trailblazer/4200_en.jsp

How did they get 291 HP out of this engine when we're only making 190? Would it be possible to buy comparable performance parts to make our engines the same (and, thus, make equivalent power)?

 

The 4200s are a straight six configuration with dual overhead cams, IIRC. The performance difference is from a drastically different design in the engine. If performance parts were available for the 4200, they would not even remotely be able to be used on the 4.3L v6 again due to the I-6 engine configuration.

 

This is a different engine than the one used on the Equinox, right?
That model seems to me like the predecessor of the Blazer but it has less power?

 

The Equinox is a smaller platform than even the Blazers. In the GM SUV lineup size scheme, it goes Equinox, Trailblazer, Trailblazer EXT, Tahoe, and Suburban. The s-10 based Blazer fits between the Equinox and the Trailblazer.

The Equinox is available with the 3.4L v6 with 185hp/210lbft and is either FWD or AWD.

 

So this means that @ a strip it's supposed to beat a stock Blazer?
If it's FWD or AWD, in theory, will have better grip @launch...

 

Not essentially true. AWD will have better grip, but when used, it also has a higher associated drivetrain loss. AWD also adds weight to any vehicle so equiped. FWD doesn't launch anywhere as nicely as RWD simply due to the weight transfer effect of acceleration on any vehicle with a center of gravity above the wheel centerline (pretty much any car out there). The primary reason everything went FWD for so long was the powertrain packaging and the inherent stability of having the drive wheels also be the steering wheels. Anyone who's driven a RWD only vehicle in the snow or adverse conditions knows that the back end can get screwy on you in a hurry if you aren't paying close attention.

I think it would be a close race between a stock blazer and an equinox simply because of the weight difference. The 4.3L has 40ftlbs more torque than the 3.4L and 5 more hp. The Blazer will have the jump off the line, but I don't know if it would be enough to beat an Equinox down the 1/4. A 2wd 2door blazer 4.3L vs an AWD 3.4L Equinox would probably result in a win for the Blazer, but other than that, it would be a drivers race.

 

Then why are those darn WRX's and Evo's so friggin' fast off the line? I've seen some beat stock porsches and ferraris @ the 1/4 mi!!!

Many people with trucks engage 4wd at launch in dragstrips because they say they go off better...which, by the way, I have never believe this...

 

They are fast because they are using the traction, if launched properly, a RWD will be faster overall, but in the case of the EVOs and STi's, they have so much power to weight from the factory that they would be much more of a challenge to launch if they were RWD.

AWD gives you close to double the traction, and allows for a much more forgiving platform at a launch. If you aren't spinning the tires, then all that AWD will give you is added drivetrain losses. One thing that no one ever remembers when 'drag' racing is that you can't just stab the throttle when the tree goes green. You have to roll into the throttle and know when to let off the brake. Anyone in a high horsepower car knows that they can smoke the tires whenever they want, it's getting them to stick that's the tricky part.

Think launching a RWD car is hard, you should try to launch a high hp FWD. Watchout! Torque steer is a real concern when you get up over 400hp in a FWD. I ran a friends GTP at Lancaster last year. Holy crap did it scare the crap out of me when it took a turn towards the wall off the line!!