Automotive News, Media & Press - Jeep SRT8 vs Trailblazer SS,Can SRT stand more power?

2006 March Car and Driver article
Can you guys believe the SRT8 Jeep? Ive been wanting to buy a Trailblazer SS for about the past 6 months. But after seeing the exact numbers on the Jeep I think im changing my mind. Although the jeep with no options is the same price as the trailblazer ss with plenty of options. For performance it seems to be quite dominant over the Trailblazer.

Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT8
0-60: 4.5
0-100: 12.0
1/4 mi: 13.2@104

Trailblazer SS
0-60: 5.5
0-100: 14.6
1/4 mi:14.1@98

Anyway I am going to buy one or the other in the next month. I was wondering if any of you guys know if the SRT 6.1L could handle a 150hp-200hp shot of nitrous. Im positive the LS2 can as i know people currently doing it with no problems. Im looking for a mid 11 sec. daily driver suv. I think the Trailblazer SS may have more potential for modifications as I dont know what size rear end and how strong the SRT's tranny is. Im sure the Trailblazer SS is strong enough as far as the engine,tranny, and rear end as i already know its specs. Let me know what you guys think!

Im looking for a mid 11 sec. daily driver suv.

This is the first time in my life when I can't think of something sarcastic to say... you just blew my mind. :)

You know what man. If i heard somebody else say that about a year and a half ago i would have laughed in his face. But now its not so funny anymore. With either one of these suvs its very possible to break 11s with nitrous,headers and a cutout. Especially in the SRT8!

Screw 'em both... get the Ram SRT10...

Whats better, an SUV that runs 11's or a truck that runs 10's lol

Now why can't we get some decent new muscle cars from chevy and dodge?

i work at chevy and ive drove the T-blazer ss and its cool and all but while i was sitting at a light a black srt 8 jeep pulled up and man doe sthat thing look sick. If it was for looks the srt 8 would be my pick. also performance. Our is pretty well loaded and we are askin 38,000 for our t-blazer ss. Its cool but man that srt-8 is soo sick lookin.

Well the LS2 is a proven engine, whereas Jeeps srt-8.....If you buy one have fun driving around in a rental while the POS gets fixed

Well the LS2 is a proven engine, whereas Jeeps srt-8.....If you buy one have fun driving around in a rental while the POS gets fixed
Do you guys think the SRT line is cheaply built? My cousin had a SRT4 and it ran 13.6s with just a k&n filter but it was a piece of shit as far as drivibility. He had constant tranny problems. What do you guys think about the SRT8 line as far as drive and dependability? Im hesitating buying a SRT vechicle because of all the problems he had with the SRT4. Sure,as far as straight line performance and raw power it was awesome but as i said it was a POS! What do you guys think?

Screw 'em both... get the Ram SRT10...

Whats better, an SUV that runs 11's or a truck that runs 10's lol

Now why can't we get some decent new muscle cars from chevy and dodge?
But the SRT10 isnt awd. So to me for everday driving,its useless. Plus it sucks gas even worse than the SRT8! Besides youd have to get the quad cab to have any room and the Jeep SRT8 will outrun the quad cab version 13.2@104 versus 13.6@102 for the SRT10.

Do you guys think the SRT line is cheaply built?

Nothing is built worse than a TrailBlazer (it's the Neon of SUVs). It's the epitome of bad quality. None of the other SRT-8s have any major issues at all.

http://www.carbuyersnotebook.com/archives/SRT8_Commercial.jpg (http://www.dcxmediaservices.com/videoptrs/wms/dctv/DCTV/Dec05/jeep_birds_hi.wvx)

:drive:

That is a sexy ass ride.

Srt8!!!

Sooo, do you guys think the SRT8 can withstand 150hp-200hp worth of nitrous? This is my main concern because whichever i choose will be getting sprayed after 5,000mi. And im already confident the TB SS can handle it. But of course i would rather start with the fastest one.

Not sure about the Tranny on the SRT8 holding that kind of power, but I think the SRT8 Jeep has a Dana 60 in the rear. That won't be breaking. You also need to look at the transfer case and front diff.

omggg!

Nothing is built worse than a TrailBlazer (it's the Neon of SUVs). It's the epitome of bad quality. None of the other SRT-8s have any major issues at all.
When they 1st came out yes they had some little problems. They are pretty well de-bugged now and have very little to no problems. I know this because im in and out of them everyday. ;)
Didnt this new designed Jeep just come out?....yea.

Screw 'em both... get the Ram SRT10...

Whats better, an SUV that runs 11's or a truck that runs 10's lol

Now why can't we get some decent new muscle cars from chevy and dodge?


srt10? u need a good driver with the regular cab to get mid 13s and the quad cab will prolly stay in the low 14s with its automatic.

running 10s? hmm maybe the $100,000 twin turbo hennessey srt10.

Sooo, do you guys think the SRT8 can withstand 150hp-200hp worth of nitrous? This is my main concern because whichever i choose will be getting sprayed after 5,000mi. And im already confident the TB SS can handle it. But of course i would rather start with the fastest one.

yes we know u are confident about the ls2 handling the n2o, but what about al the parts after the engine that need to handle that tremendous burst of torque? not so confident anymore are you

If you were going to buy one and not do anything mod wise, except maybe n2o, I would get the SRT-8. The LS2 prolly has more potential for engine mods and tuning than the SRT-8. The Motor Trend with the Challenger on the cover has an article on it.

Nothing is built worse than a TrailBlazer (it's the Neon of SUVs). It's the epitome of bad quality. None of the other SRT-8s have any major issues at all.
you own one? If not then shut up. I do, its been great. 2002 was a bad year for TB, Envoy and Bravada. Since then though they have been greatly improved. Comfortable, quick, and still able to tow stuff. And thats for the inline 6. (note quick is in reference to the inline 6's ability to move a 5000lb box)

I vote for the jeep and about the n20 there's only one way to find out

I can vouch for the TrailBlazer's ups and downs as far as the years and reliability. My sister has a 2002 LS (which my mom previously owned) and it's had its share of issues, and my mom has a 2003 LTZ which hasn't had many if ANY problems, but I will admit that their interiors seem a bit cheap. And my mom's '03 LTZ is MUCH more sluggish compared to my sister's '02 LS (as in sluggish tranny, slow acceleration) and I have no clue why.

Again, I dunno how the others compare to the TrailBlazer, but while they're very stylish and have plenty of options, the interior seems very cheap and I'll also admit the built quality seems questionable (atleast in a few areas).

Reguardless of these issues, I love the TrailBlazer/Envoy/Bravada/Ascender/Renier. I'm lookin' into getting an '04+ Envoy around the Fall. They're everywhere for under $20K with practically no miles, 4x4, mid-level trim, etc etc, and I hope the Envoy has a bit better quality to it.

The SRT8 seems to be a potent turner as well as burner though. I have seen the video of the C6 and the SS going through doughnuts on the track, but which of the two is the better turner?

On the related subject, either of those cars will probable need some drivetrain mods to handle the ammount of power you wish to place on them.

And, there is no reason to jump trishield, he is simply pointing out that the TB is rather ubiquitous and pedestrian, like a Neon. I did not take his comment to be a slam against the quality of the build of the modern TB's, but simple a comment on the commonality and quality of the TB in a non-mechanical manner. Our FBodies are not the epitome of quality, likewise the TB is not the epitome of quality.

Those are great ET's for the SRT8! It's obvious they are underrating the hp for that engine.

The SRT8 is a killer ride and looks nice (especially the interior) but if you want to mod the engine, the nod had has to go to the Trailblazer with the LS2. The aftermarket is virtually non-existent for the new Hemi engines because no one can crack the PCM's so far. My friend who is a die hard Mopar guy is very frustrated because of this and is the main reason he's waiting to buy one.

Those are great ET's for the SRT8! It's obvious they are underrating the hp for that engine.

The SRT8 is a killer ride and looks nice (especially the interior) but if you want to mod the engine, the nod had has to go to the Trailblazer with the LS2. The aftermarket is virtually non-existent for the new Hemi engines because no one can crack the PCM's so far. My friend who is a die hard Mopar guy is very frustrated because of this and is the main reason he's waiting to buy one.

http://www.gsmotorsports.com/

http://www.gsmotorsports.com/

Very nice! But the Hemi has a long way to go to reach the level of aftermarket support of the Gen III and even Gen IV support. I'm sure when the Challenger is produced the support will step up in a big way.

The TBSS with tuning is a whole new setup.....

There is a tune out that gets rid of all the crappy torque management that the car came with from the factory....I'm planning on getting it as soon as I get a little cash gathered up...

An AWD SS went 13.5 with just a tune and is also much more mod friendly as the motor has been proven in the past :)

Well the LS2 is a proven engine, whereas Jeeps srt-8.....If you buy one have fun driving around in a rental while the POS gets fixed

Yes well if you buy a TB SS have fun getting smoked by GC SRT-8s. :eyes: n00b brand loyalist much? Give respect where respect is deserved. For a while now people around here were talking shit about the GC SRT-8 saying that a TB SS would smoke it. Yah well anyone with half a brain knew DC would pull out all the stops. DCs SRT division always seems to think that it's not enough to beat the competition, you have to kill it. Case in point, the Ram SRT-10 Regular Cab that comes complete with a 6 speed manual.

My point, now that it's obvious that the GC SRT-8 is faster than a TB SS, LSx whores will start trying to find things wrong with the SRT-8 knocking it's reliability and build quality. Yah umm, anyone remember when the TB/Envoy first debuted. IIRC GM issued a recall and informed customers to not drive their vehicle because of a major suspension defect. Funny how people bitch when someone posts about a Japanese car being of better quality but when it's one American car against another all of a sudden the one not built by GM is suddenly a POS.

Reguardless of these issues, I love the TrailBlazer/Envoy/Bravada/Ascender/Renier. I'm lookin' into getting an '04+ Envoy around the Fall. They're everywhere for under $20K with practically no miles, 4x4, mid-level trim, etc etc, and I hope the Envoy has a bit better quality to it.

What about the Saab 9-7x? GMs latest investment in badge engineering? :jest:

Have you guys seen this?
http://www.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=445045&highlight=SRT-8

FWIW if you're just going to be doing N2O, then got for the SRT, but if you're going to go for major mods (heads, cam, and the like) stick with the TBSS.
One of the limiting factors with the Jeep, is the lack of tuning software, DCX has the ECM pretty well locked up, there is no Hemi equivalent to LS1Edit/HPTuners for the DCX line of Hemi vehicles, so you're pretty much stuck with the stock tune, and while you can physically change heads and cam, you wouldn't be able to tune it, and depending on how radical you want to go, that becomes the limiting factor, the lack of tunability

Can we really trust the reliability of these numbers? i mean they did come from car and driver.

http://media.putfile.com/Battle-of-the-SUVs


This is from the other night. 3 trailblazer ss's. 2 silver and one black. 1 srt8 cherokee and 2 silverado ss's. The best runs of the night were the silverado ss and the srt8, the silverado is highly modified. The trailblazer ss's stood no chance for the srt8.

In conclusion, RIGHT NOW the trailblazer ss has more potential as in buying parts. The Jeep will be the better bet in the long run once some parts come out for it. Thats just my .02 cents

Nothing is built worse than a TrailBlazer (it's the Neon of SUVs). It's the epitome of bad quality. None of the other SRT-8s have any major issues at all.
I don't have any issues with my Trailblazer SS. :eyes:

I just got my Charger SRT-8 a little over a month ago. . .good info out on www.srtoc.com. . .might be a little "slanted" though. . .

This is cool though 0-100 in GCSRT-8: http://www.srt8oc.com/forums/showthread.php?t=341

300CSRT-8 doing an 11 Sec run: http://www.gsmotorsports.com/media/300srtvsZ06.AVI


The biggest issue is going to be the cost of an SRT-8 right now. Here in STL a local dealer has his 2nd GCSRT-8. First one went for $5k OVER sticker, 2nd (Black) is more of a "wait for a better offer" situation and it is already at $5k over as well.

I don't think the Car and Dirver Numbers are correct I have seen the off way to many times. I do think that stock for stock the SRT-8 is faster, but not by almost second! Come on we all know what it takes to be a second faster. I think that when the moding begins the SRT-8 is going to be runner up JMO and it doesn't matter I don't care either way I don't own either.

well guys i have made my decision. I will be buying a Trailblazer SS. My best friend just bought a brand new Ram SRT10 Tuesday,then that same evening he took it back because the 3rd gear synchronizer was fucking up already! Ive heard and seen too much on the SRTs breaking down,I dont care how fast they are,they break down and suck gas more than anything ive ever seen. So The TB SS does get 19mpg on the highway. Thats pretty damn good for a 400hp SUV! Plus it can haul 6700lbs compared to the jeeps 3500lbs. Thanks for all the input guys but i have made my final decision.

The Jeep SRT-8 can only tow 3500 lbs? That sucks! I was considering getting one, getting bored of the dually. But, if it can't tow, I'm not interested. I've driven the TBSS, and wasn't too impressed with the interior on it. I like the Jeep's looks far better inside and out.

The Jeep SRT-8 can only tow 3500 lbs? That sucks! I was considering getting one, getting bored of the dually. But, if it can't tow, I'm not interested. I've driven the TBSS, and wasn't too impressed with the interior on it. I like the Jeep's looks far better inside and out.

I do believe it is my turn for the next new vehicle..... :) :drive:

The Jeep SRT-8 can only tow 3500 lbs? That sucks! I was considering getting one, getting bored of the dually. But, if it can't tow, I'm not interested. I've driven the TBSS, and wasn't too impressed with the interior on it. I like the Jeep's looks far better inside and out.

Then start modding the diesel :devil:

Nothing is built worse than a TrailBlazer (it's the Neon of SUVs). It's the epitome of bad quality. None of the other SRT-8s have any major issues at all.

I am with you on that, the SRT8 is awesome and I am sure that could hold the NO2 very well

^ The new GC's haven't even been out long enough to be able to tell if their quality is higher or lower than the TB's. Give them time, as in a couple years or so, THEN decide whether it's better than the TB's or not. Of course a vehicle will be a quality piece when it hasn't even been out a year.

get the SS and throw the money you save into mods.. to me none of these suv's make any damn sense!

^ The new GC's haven't even been out long enough to be able to tell if their quality is higher or lower than the TB's. Give them time, as in a couple years or so, THEN decide whether it's better than the TB's or not. Of course a vehicle will be a quality piece when it hasn't even been out a year.

Not exactly. The TB was out for less than a year when GM issued a warning to all owners to have their vehicles serviced for a major suspension defect that was so bad owners were informed to have the vehicles picked up and not to drive them to dealers themselves.

Not exactly. The TB was out for less than a year when GM issued a warning to all owners to have their vehicles serviced for a major suspension defect that was so bad owners were informed to have the vehicles picked up and not to drive them to dealers themselves.

OK yeah that's pretty bad. :lol:

OK yeah that's pretty bad. :lol:

lol. It happens. And not just to GM either. A bunch of E46 M3 S54 inline 6 motors headed south on more than a few occasions early on as apparently exhaust valves were cracking and leaking sodium into the cylinders.

I do bodywork for a living and see parts of these cars you guys dont. I get to cut them appart and put them back together. The Jeeps have been some of the cheapest built vehicles out there. Structurally the Trail blazers are a better vehicle by far. The Trail blazer SS overcomes most of the negative issues that TBs had with the new engine, and SS specific trans, and rear. So your basicly buying a completely different vehicle in a TB body and the body is well constructed.

I will say The Hemi power plant and Dana 60 have more than proven themselves.

Now if only they would make a Colorado SS with an LS2!!!

well guys i have made my decision. I will be buying a Trailblazer SS. My best friend just bought a brand new Ram SRT10 Tuesday,then that same evening he took it back because the 3rd gear synchronizer was fucking up already! Ive heard and seen too much on the SRTs breaking down,I dont care how fast they are,they break down and suck gas more than anything ive ever seen. So The TB SS does get 19mpg on the highway. Thats pretty damn good for a 400hp SUV! Plus it can haul 6700lbs compared to the jeeps 3500lbs. Thanks for all the input guys but i have made my final decision.

LOL @ SVTKILLER. Over @ TrailblazerSS.com he came into my thread about my times and challenged me saying he took delivery of his Trailblazer SS on January 2 and it's got Kook's headers (made off the books, because they officially don't make them yet), CAI (not available), a $400 tune for $50, Torque converter, TNT Kit, all installed by a shop that kinda owned me for $500.

What a LIAR.

Offered as proof:

The link to trailblazerss.com (http://www.trailblazerss.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=431)

In case of denial the signatures at the two sites:

someone got owned

conclusion, RIGHT NOW the trailblazer ss has more potential as in buying parts. The Jeep will be the better bet in the long run once some parts come out for it. Thats just my .02 cents
Those are my thoughts as well. I know the tranny comes from one of the E series cars which is pretty much bulletproof. You'll have to be patient with thge mods, but any head that flows 360ish@600 when ported has my repect. I know GS motorsports slapped some ported heads and intake manifold on a stock 6.1L shortblock with only a catback exhaust and put down 450 to the rollers. That's with no tuning. :eek2:
BTW, shouldn't you be over on the SRT boards asking these questions??
Tom

LOL, call out of the century. I can't wait to see what he says.

Thats total BS. That was posted yesterday and the day before. Ive been out of town all weekend for the Super Bowl. Anyway ive never been on this trailblazer website before. The only car i currently own is my TA. Like i said i plan on buying a trailblazer but havent yet. When i got back in town i found out my brother had been on my computer. So my best guess is he decided to talk shit about having a trailblazer with the same stuff done to it as my TA. I read some of those posts since you were so "kind" and posted a BS link. Didnt you notice the mods. on the trailblazer were just copied off the TA mods. When i was out of town i used my cousins computer to post about changing my name on here. Honestly i dont know whats going on. I just know i didnt post that. Let me know if you see anymore posts like that. Ill make sure on one else gets on my computer

Ok its offical i called my brother and he admitted to it. He tried to make a fool of me and according to you guys he did. Its alright im gonna get his ass. Paybacks a mutha f*cka! Hey BLASST,what else did he say? Its funny to me because he doesnt know anything about cars or trucks! I couldve told him he wouldnt get away with anything like that! lol
Anyway,BLASST, i sent you a private message

TBSS recently went 13.3@104 with a tune/k&N...........thats it :)

If they could just do the AWDs with 5 or, preferably, a 6spd...you'd get better fuel mileage, better strength, and cheaper replacement and maintenance wise.


Who ever said LS2 in a Colorado, yeah, no shit...with a manual and AWD, awsome.

I was wrong about the GCSRT8 rear end. It is not a Dana 60 it is a Dana 44.

http://www.jeep.com/autoshow/news/grand_cherokee_srt8.html