SamIAM™
10-06-2003, 09:45 AM
It's even better than that according to MotorTrend.
It will be a 6.3! liter V8. Even more interestingly, it will incorporate a 3 valve per cylinder design. And still OHV/pushrod design of course.
The more amazing part in the story is that it will turn safely all the way to 7000 rpm and although out-of-the-box, fuel cutoff will be soon after that, this engine is certified for 8000 rpm runs with no problem! The engine will make 500 HP at 7K and this figure might be revised by next year (I am guessing upwards).
What's amazing here folks is that GM managed to have their cake and eat it too. Here is why:
In general, we have 2 schools of thought when it comes to engine design. The ones that make good power by reving higher and keeping displacement low (usually DOHC designs) and the ones that keep revs lower and displacement high to also make good power. And we all know about the torue curve differences.
To make a 6.3 liter engine that uses pushrods to rev to 7K rpm reliably, I believe, is impressive. Because I am guessing the advantages of the OHV design will be maintained with this engine. Things like low end grunt, low gas consumption and very high reliability. Oh and dont forget the most important of all. LOW COST.
We know we got the Displacement On Demand functionality incorporated with this 4th Generation small-black GM engine.
So what was missing was high revs. And now we got that too. Comparing the Italian school (hint: Ferrari), where high revs is the name of the game for high HP results (although displacement has been reaching USAmerican levels lately), I believe, GM wins.
Why? Because, the OHV design is so much cheaper, moderately more reliable, uses a lot less gas and makes so much more low end and mid range torque, you cant but call it a winner.
Final note: 6.3 liters from 8 cylinders = 787.5 cc per cylinder. Max power at 7000 rpm.
Comparing that to the 3.6 liters from the Modena = 450 cc per cylinder. Max power at 8500 rpm
Murcielago's V12 at 6.2 liters = 516cc (although comparing a V12 is not a fair comparison - works totally differently - though inertia is inertia). Max power at 7500 rpm.
Many more examples...
Bottom line, it's harder to make large parts move at high speeds and it's even harder to make an OHV design operate at high speeds.
It will be a 6.3! liter V8. Even more interestingly, it will incorporate a 3 valve per cylinder design. And still OHV/pushrod design of course.
The more amazing part in the story is that it will turn safely all the way to 7000 rpm and although out-of-the-box, fuel cutoff will be soon after that, this engine is certified for 8000 rpm runs with no problem! The engine will make 500 HP at 7K and this figure might be revised by next year (I am guessing upwards).
What's amazing here folks is that GM managed to have their cake and eat it too. Here is why:
In general, we have 2 schools of thought when it comes to engine design. The ones that make good power by reving higher and keeping displacement low (usually DOHC designs) and the ones that keep revs lower and displacement high to also make good power. And we all know about the torue curve differences.
To make a 6.3 liter engine that uses pushrods to rev to 7K rpm reliably, I believe, is impressive. Because I am guessing the advantages of the OHV design will be maintained with this engine. Things like low end grunt, low gas consumption and very high reliability. Oh and dont forget the most important of all. LOW COST.
We know we got the Displacement On Demand functionality incorporated with this 4th Generation small-black GM engine.
So what was missing was high revs. And now we got that too. Comparing the Italian school (hint: Ferrari), where high revs is the name of the game for high HP results (although displacement has been reaching USAmerican levels lately), I believe, GM wins.
Why? Because, the OHV design is so much cheaper, moderately more reliable, uses a lot less gas and makes so much more low end and mid range torque, you cant but call it a winner.
Final note: 6.3 liters from 8 cylinders = 787.5 cc per cylinder. Max power at 7000 rpm.
Comparing that to the 3.6 liters from the Modena = 450 cc per cylinder. Max power at 8500 rpm
Murcielago's V12 at 6.2 liters = 516cc (although comparing a V12 is not a fair comparison - works totally differently - though inertia is inertia). Max power at 7500 rpm.
Many more examples...
Bottom line, it's harder to make large parts move at high speeds and it's even harder to make an OHV design operate at high speeds.