If they want to call it a Vette, put the LT1 in it, but with an extra 1,000 lb. I don't think they will confuse it the SS with a Vette.
Do not agree. The aftermarket is what may make this car shine, and putting the tried and tested true LS3 in there from the get go means that once these SS's hit the streets, people will be aftermarket-modifying them to suit. Something as simple as "adding headers" currently isn't possible with an LT1 *(but it is with the LS3 in the SS)* due to all the changes within the engine design between the LS3 and LT1.
The LT1 with all new ECM and electronics will most likely take 2+ years to "reverse engineer" the rolling codes on the ECM encryption algorythm, meaning "stock cars" will stay stock for a while until the aftermarket catches up.
The LT1 may stop by in year 2 or year 3 of the SS, if the initial release of the SS is successful. Hopefully by then various Vette-performance-shops could have been hard at work at testing and upgrading the LT1 architecture, and by then, the upgraded powertrain should start to have a steady following of aftermarket accessories, tunes, and power adders to fully unleash the potential of the LT1.
I say the LS3/auto combination is a good start for GM, it's the "hit the grounder to get on base" ... now lets hope year two and year three are positive displacement enhancements in powertrain, looks, and overall fit and finish, and GM has a winner!
:judge:These are just my opinions, for what they're worth.:judge:
--zepcom