Here is some fairly reliable information for the '04 Izuzu/GM powerplant: There is nothing here about how power will be managed with a 6-gear, I assume it would be straight thru to the wheels. This is designated as the "LLY" option - the current powerplant "LB7" will be discontinued in Dec 03 - some will likely stray into the '04 calender production.

As for interior and other "issues" discussed here, you can order a 60-40 split bench similar to that of the D-C product - unless you have your heart set on some Leather. In GM's wisdom, you can only get leather with the buckets and the "small-country" ??? in the middle. No updates on fuel cells expected. It all comes down to what you want to drive.

The bulk of the '04 model year powertrain changes won't be in production till sometime in January.

Here's a brief rundown:

1- Scalloped valve covers that position all fuel return lines to outside the engine. Should solve nearly all fuel/oil dilution problems.

2- New Garrett variable vane turbocharger - better low speed response - better high speed response.

3- Somewhere between 340 and 360 stock horsepower. The new turbo is responsible for most of that gain.

4- The added power will only be available in gears 2 through 4. Power will remain at 300 for 1st and 5th.

5- The Allison will get a freshening to handle the increased power. Some of these changes are in programming, some are in hard parts.