Ferrari Mailing List: Re: BMW Mods/Forced Induction/Modern V8s...Re: Ferrari Digest, Vol 5, Issue 51

[Fellippe Galletta (fellippe.galletta]

On 12/29/06, LS <lashdeep [at] yahoo.com> wrote:
> All highway mpg figures are quoted.
>
> OHC=modern technology yet modern OHV have less mass, more power and better
> efficiency?
>
> Has GM revolutionized the industry?
>
> Should Ferrari, BMW and Merc be ashamed?
>
> LS



I'm with ya....but, is it fair to compare medium displacement OHC motors
with large displacement OHV motors in terms of power?

And when the euros build to muscle car displacements, the results are
interesting:

6.0 liter Vette/GTO/CTS-V: 400hp/400 lb-ft
6.0 liter Diablo: 550hp/435 lb-ft

4.9 liter 512 TR: 428hp/360lb-ft

I think the general american design philosophy is to build a powerful motor
that can rev well, but to overbuild it on displacement so to not stress the
motor. Even the violent C6 Z06 motor with exotic parts is a little over 70
hp/liter. There really is no such thing, IMHO as a true exotic normally
aspirated domestic motor if judged in this regard...except maybe a Saleen S7
motor.

One motor combo that I've personally experienced that is definite
satisfaction:

5.4 liter supercharged DOHC V8 Ford GT: 550hp/500lb-ft

So to answer your question, I agree in terms of typical mass produced cars,
but on the very high exotic end, I'd prefer a DOHC motor.

Deep, are we losing you to the domestics? :)

FG