do you think the I 5 is underpowered for the h3?

Do you think the I 5 is under powered for the h3?  A motorhead general motors lover at work was telling me that the I 5 is way underpowered for the h3 and it was like putting a 4 cylinder in a cadillac?  Do any of you think that it is that bad of a motor for the h3?

i wouldnt say its underpowered. the I-5 does just fine for 99% of my driving. it could use more power though. i think the v8 is a better fit.

That's a bit of a religous issue...lots of strong opinions and everyone thinks they're right.  Guess it depends upon the application.  I drive like an old man, on pavement, so I think it's fine.  I can understand how some off-roaders would want more power.  It doesn't pin me to the seat like the BMW I had prior to the H3 but that's not important to me anymore.

H34me

I feel that the I5 does provide suffecient power where it is needed like on the trail. Before getting my H3 I had a Chevy Blazer with a V6 and the H3 definatelly had a lot of getting used to. It greatly lacks the "GO" factor off the line, but then again the H3 is not built for speed off the line. I have found that as long as you ease on the gas instead of flooring it then you will take off faster. Really the only time that I really wish I had the starting power is when getting on the highway at places with short merge lanes like rest areas. All and all, I am satisfied with tht power of the I5 and even happier with the gas mileage vs a V8.
 
Stan

I'll be honest and say that it is underpowered to some degree, IMHO.  Passing on the highway takes some great planning ahead and the horrid gas mileage we all receive out of the I-5 is due to it working overtime in the first place to move the weight of a brick.  I would've much rather had the I-6 from the Trailblazer.  Now do I like the I-5? Yes, I do!  I already have a sports car so if I get a need for speed I just hop in it.  I think the power is just adequate to move the vehicle and the biggest attribute of the inline motors are the torque they produce.  Towing is a totally different story though.  I would like to see if the I-5 can pump out 150-200k+ miles.  Only time will tell I guess. 

Yeah I had a 96 jeep grand cherokee before this with the 4 liter inline 6 and I notice a lot more git up and go with the h3 than the jeep.  And the guy doesnt like the inline 5 due to the odd number of cylinders because he thinks it sounds odd and that there is something wrong with it. I think it sounds just fine.  

With all of the 400 and 500 hp cars of today it may seem underpowered but it still moves. Does it have the moves of my higher powered vehicles? No. Can those cars crawl over rocks, move up steep hills and wade through deep water? No. The H3, with the I5, has the power it needs. Even after moving up to larger tires, where it hurts power, I still think it's fine. It would be nice to have the V8 but to me, IMO, it's not worth the $$$.

Underpowered? No. Final answer.

I think it is slightly underpowered for some situations but not bad. There are a lot of applications that will help the I5 develop more HP and torque if you want it.

I would not say my 06 H3 was underpowered but Im not a speed demon anyway.
 
Wasnt the I5 beefed up in the 08's ??????
 
Cheers
Davyo 

I also don't think it's underpowered.  There's no freeways here in Guam so, passing other cars is not a problem.  Overall, I'm very happy with the power of my H3.

I think that's a personal choice. I drove my bro-in-laws I5 H3 and thought it was underpowered so when I went to look at a H3 for myself I went straight to the H3 Alpha. I like lots of power and giddy-up in my vehicles. Of course my driving habits also kill my mpg.

I personally am very happy with the power of the H3 so far. I can imagine that some may be use to more but I am satisfied. I bought my H3 knowing what it had and what I thought it could do. I didnt even expect the power it has so I am extremely happy!

The H3 has all the power it needs, with it's gear reduction I have enough power to get thru the toughest trails.

You could make an argument that the 06 is in fact underpowered.  All the road testing publications certainly gave it a lashing.
The 2007's 20 more HP and TQ help, but with the platform's weight, not a drastic difference.
 
What you need to do is get a CAT back exhaust, PCMforless tune, and an Intake kit with performance filter, then the I5 will actually be impressive.
 
My last GMC had all the goodies tuned with a crate 4.3 V6 motor (too many to name, but it had as much naturally aspirated power as you can get at truck TQ ranges), and while it could jump off the line because it was some 700# lighter than the 3, the 3 still has great mid range punch after the above mods.
 
I can pass anything on the Hwy w/o problem, the 50-75 mph range is plenty adequate.  After that, it falls like a stone, but I never drive this thing over 77mph anyway.
It's a brick people, not a car. 

quote:

ORIGINAL: coreyc

Do you think the I 5 is under powered for the h3?

 
yes, so I traded in an 06 H3 for an Alpha

I have a 5-Speed and sometimes have to rev it up a bit to get on the freeways and pass etc.  It easily cruises at 80 mph with the I5.  I bought it for it's off road ability and that it was available with a 5-speed and locker etc.
 
I am very happy with the gas mileage on and off road.
 
For towing and on steep grades and in the new pick up I'm sure the V8 would be better.
 
If the V8 Alpha had a 5-speed I might trade up. GM can you hear me??
 
 

would i notice a difference with a k&n cold air intake?

most say you can feel a difference, ive never driven an H3 only H2`s but what i hear is that is it very underpowered

quote:

ORIGINAL: coreyc

would i notice a difference with a k&n cold air intake?

 
Absolutely, add an aftermarket exhaust to that and you'll really notice a difference!

I have the 2006 with the 3.5 and I don't feel it's underpowered,.. and my daily driver sedan does 0-60 mph in about 3.2 seconds.
 
I'm sure the 3.7 is plenty.  Haven't driven one though.
 
I do feel it could handle better.  A bigger rear sway bar does wonders.

It is very underpowered compared to my C5, but I did not buy it for the same reason. When I get off road, I find it has plenty of power. I go fast in the C5. I tow my trailers with the diesel Ford SuperDuty. I have fun in the H3 at a much slower pace! And man does this thing turn on a dime!

I would just like to point out that the I 5 has more H.P. then the big block 454 SS Chevy trucks of the early 90's. I do however wish they had put the 300 horse I 6 in instead.

quote:

ORIGINAL: duckstu

I have the 2006 with the 3.5 and I don't feel it's underpowered,.. and my daily driver sedan does 0-60 mph in about 3.2 seconds.

I'm sure the 3.7 is plenty.  Haven't driven one though.

I do feel it could handle better.  A bigger rear sway bar does wonders.

damn wonder what you drive!

I must say she [The I-5] is a bit of a screamer when you really ride her hard,But that's the way I like it!
 
Seriously though I must say that once you spend more and more time behind the wheel you learn how to get the " Most" out of her! I cruise at 140km/h quite easly without to much trouble.

It's not just the power but how it's accessible. The upgrades to intake, exhaust and most importantly pcm tune help out a lot. I was frustrated a bit when I first got my 3.7 H3 with the highway passing - the shift points were all wrong and it wasn't fun to drive. With the upgrades the H3 is a lot more fun and the power is more accessible. If you don't like the I5 power and you have done these upgrades check out the million or so threads on pcm and pmcforless.