How does Honda do it?

[amazingarthur]

Did we forget that GM has an inline-6 that has been pushing 275hp and a lot of torque for a few years now. It is supposed to be a smooth reliable engine too.

I have nothing against Honda. We have an '02 Honda minivan. I have found it to be highly overated. It has had several recalls and a few tiny problems here and there.

[okieGT]

I was just using Honda as an example. It is amazing in general how car manufacturers are making these smaller engines with such high output. I like old muscle "tried and true", but I have to say that I'm more impressed by the new technologies. A friend of mine has a Ferari and I couldn't believe it when he showed me the 4 cylinder N/A! But then I saw the red line on the tach and it was at over 7K. I'm no street racer and I don't want to have to keep the motor at redline to get performance, and that is why I was impressed with the MDX. It's an automatic with all wheel driver, so no high reving just to get hp. I just think it is way cool when any company comes out with this amazing stuff. Also, wasn't the cyclone a turbo charged six cylinder?

[PTGT Redman]

quote:Originally posted by amazingarthur

300hp with a V6 is impressive, but Subaru is already doing that with the STI (turbo 4). GMC put out a Syclone (a truck) and the Typhoon (a Jimmy)that were running insane 1/4 times with crazy hp over 10 years ago. I recall the Typhoon running like 13.5 or something similar.

GM was cranking over 180hp out of a non-turbocharged 4 called the Quad 4 in the late 80's/early 90's. Granted, that motor was a noisy, unreliable, expensive waste of money, but still the little Olds 442s they were putting it in would run low 15s.

The gas mileage in those 6's and turbo 4's isn't always as good as some V8s. The LS1 guys regularly get 27+ on the hwy, how many of us can say the same with our 4s?

That's the engine going in the new RL. Non-turbo 300hp with just a little less TQ. I'd say that's impressive.
And that six has been so well developed, balanced and massaged for that power. Probable could get more power out of it still. That's prolly gonna be the motor in the SUT that Honda will be building too. Geez, they don't really need an 8.
Look at Nissan, they are using that 3.5L for everything, just by tuning it differently, it's in 3 cars and 2 trucks. Now that they have the 8 from Inifiniti they dump that in their large trucks.

[CHROMEDCRUISER]

Mike-in-Orange, I agree about Honda, absolutely amazing with what they can do with their engines. You'll never find a Honda in my garage either, I cringe when I have to ride in one. Are you a fan of the super bee?

[Mike-in-Orange]

quote:CHROMEDCRUISER Posted - 09/28/2004 : 12:08:33 AM Mike-in-Orange, I agree about Honda, absolutely amazing with what they can do with their engines. You'll never find a Honda in my garage either, I cringe when I have to ride in one. Are you a fan of the super bee?

Super Bee, the 340 6-pack, 1966 Charger (love that fastback body), Hemi 'Cuda (how can you not be a fan?), 440 Max Wedge, all the early Chrysler 300 models, pushbutton automatics, Dodge Daytona (how 'bout that HUGE wing and drop nose) and it's brother the Plymouth Super Bird, the Ramchargers drag racing team, Richard Petty, the 413 wedge, that little unstoppable 225 slant 6 and the almighty 426 dual quad hemi. Shall I go on?

[PTGT_Boy]

My favorite is the Honda Civic Type R []. *Ducks the incoming rocks*

[Mike Radowski]

We all mention horsepower when speaking of engines, but we all seem to forget torque. Most of those high horsepower engines don't make that needed low end torque. That is what made the muscle cars, they developed their horsepower and torque down low and most never revved up more than 6,000 RPM. I think 19,000 RPM and 800 horsepower is fine, but those engines have to be above 6,000 RPM just to get enought torque to move the darn car.

Mike

[CREWZIN]

quote:Originally posted by Mike Radowski

I think 19,000 RPM and 800 horsepower is fine, but those engines have to be above 6,000 RPM just to get enought torque to move the darn car.
Mike

Yea, but once they do start moving, you better get the heck out of the way!

[Mike-in-Orange]

quote:Mike Radowski Posted - 09/28/2004 : 08:33:12 AM
I think 19,000 RPM and 800 horsepower is fine, but those engines have to be above 6,000 RPM just to get enought torque to move the darn car.

Heck, a modern Formula 1 engine IDLES at 6,000 rpm! Keep in mind, all that HP only has to move an 1100lb car!

[amazingarthur]

Gotta classify myself as a diehard Muscle Car fan. As long as I can remember I've had a thing for Chevelles, GTOs, Camaros, Cudas. Even if they have a 6 cylinder they look so right.

I love technology and hi-po turbo 4 bangers are cool. But park one next to a bone stock LS-6 SS Chevelle, pop both hoods and count which car gets more visitors.