New L88?

[ae2598 at wayne.edu]

You know of course, there's two ways of looking at the OHV/DOHC
comparison.  You conclude that since GM didn't go with a quad-valve, DOHC
valvetrain, that their design must be inferior to the Ford 4.6L.  

However, if any of the counter-arguments are true (more HP, smaller
package, lower BSFC, etc.) then I would have to think that GM did a GREAT
job in designing that motor, as they've managed to beat Ford on several
fronts, using traditional, proven technology!  All things equal, you're
always better off using a time-tested, proven design.  And then maybe we
should consider the total parts count, especially moving parts that wear.
Seems to me that a quad-valve DOHC motor would have more parts to
potentially fail, no?  And then we could delve into the design and
manufacturing costs of the two motors.. 

Anyway, not to add fuel to a flame
war, but calling GM an embarrasment to the entire nation is a bit harsh,
don't you think?  (Maybe you're hoping the Ford IS guys will read your
e-mail and win you some brownie points?)


 On Mon, 18 Jun 2001, Gonyou, Jeremy (.) wrote:

> 
> Ok, I see your point.  And I can fully symphathize with the fact that DOHC motors take up space (I currently have a 3.4 DOHC crowding the bay of a cavalier).  However, low-tech solutions from the 60's *are* embarassing because they show zero engineering novelty.  Although Ford may be lacking with their DOHC engines, the imports have shown time and time again that they can get more for less.  The LS6 may be the king of the hill right now, but it's only a matter of time before some honda V8 blows it out of the water (new NSX?).  
> 
> So, I will continue to attack GM for using pushrods, because it shows that they are no longer the innovative company that they were in the past.  In a somewhat inderect way, GM represents the engineering prowess of our country.  The LS6 says that we haven't learned a DAMN thing since Ed Cole first designed the small block.  So *that* is why I'm shamefaced when I admit to people that I drive a Pontiac with a pushrod motor.  I'm American, I recognize sound engineering when I see it, and I should know better.
> 
> I don't mean to speak for ECMnut, but this is why GM is embarrassing...
> 
> Jeremy
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Eric Bryant [mailto:BRYANTE at ghsp.com]
> Sent: Monday, June 18, 2001 9:56 AM
> To: 'gmecm at diy-efi.org'
> Subject: RE: New L88?
> 
> 
> > From: Gonyou, Jeremy (.) [mailto:jgonyou at ford.com]
> > Subject: RE: New L88?
> > 
> > 
> > 
> > Ouch.  The thing is that the 4.6 is by no means a benchmark.  
> > Check out the Lexus V8s.  Remember the ZR1?  Imagine if Honda 
> > made a VTec V8 out of 2 prelude engines ... 400 hp out of 4.4 liters.
> > 
> 
> But the thing is, the 5.7 pushrod V8 is still physically smaller than a 4.0
> L DOHC motor (and even the 3.0 L Nissan V6).  There's no apparent mileage
> penalty for the displacement.  So, while the power-per-unit-diplacement
> isn't that great, the power-per-unit-packaging-volume looks just fine.  I've
> had this discussion with Dave Hill, and came away very satisfied with his
> argument. 
> 
> > But I don't think we have to fear a LPE option in the new 
> > vettes.  There's an article in the current Car and Driver 
> > about these engines.  It's actually a bored and stroked 350 
> > as opposed to the old big block 427 from golden years.  
> > Anyway, I have a hard time seeing GM selling LPE engines 
> > (should be the other way around).  
> 
> GM already had a relationship with Callaway over 10 years ago, so I don't
> see why they couldn't team up with Lingenfelter to produce some
> special-edition package.  
> 
> Eric Bryant
> mailto:bryante at ghsp.com
> http://www.novagate.com/~bryante  
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