mjhipp
Dodge Dakota
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4/07/2003
03:22:22
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 Subject: Cubic Inches is everything Huh?!
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Heres an excerpt from an article I found on the net while researching turbo-V8's that I found to be very educational on the topic of small engine vs. big engine:
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Engines 25 years old or older (and some since) usually have the forged (or
strong cast) cranks, thick cylinder walls and lots of head bolts for good
sealing. That's the way they used to build cars in the U.S. Smaller engines
are preferred for all reasons. First they are stronger. I don't mean stronger
per cubic inch but rather stronger over all than the same engine in a larger
displacement. Short strokes mean more crankshaft journal overlap. Smaller
bores usually mean thicker cylinder walls (but not always) and stiffer blocks
(cranks last longer), and smaller bores mean more gasket sealing area and
more meat in many cases for those aftermarket studs to screw into. These are
the things you investigate before you pick your project car.
But keep one thing in mind, potentially the most powerful engine is always
going to be the engine that is the STRONGEST, not the one that is the
biggest. Cubic inches mean little if anything in high boost turbo
applications. You see 6-7 liter turbo engines blowing themselves up at
1.75-2.25 horsepower per cubic inch and 3-4 liter engines living well at 3 or
even 4 horsepower per cubic inch. Staying together is everything.
Every American manufacturer built compacts with small, usually strong engines
back in the 60's and 70's. We've seen many represented here -- Olds, Pontiac,
Buick, Corvair, Ford 6s and V8s, Slant 6s, AMCs and Studebakers. They come in
lightweight packages that make them ideal for drag racing, road racing,
circle track, hill climbs, rallies and so on. You've seen them everywhere
over the decades -- Daytona, Sebring, Road Atlanta, etc. They handle well,
drivetrain upgrades are cheap (not so for a 400 CID engine), and most still
don't go for outrageous prices as they aren't very 'collectable" as a group....................
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Anyhow , It seems to make very good sense about the engine stiffness and short stroke advantage...
Thought that would be interesting.....
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