pushrods vs. OHC

[giovannirizzo <giovannirizzo@domain.elided>]

This is kinda funny, couldn't help adding my two cents:

Firstly to correct Michael Smith on a couple (of three)  of points:

"Sure we have naturally aspirated modern ohc engines developing over 100
hp/l but none of those approaches 5.7 liters. Certainly none of those is as
cheap as the Corvette engine. And most importantly, none of those cars can
actually beat a modern Corvette, either in a straight line or on the track."

The BMW V12 in a MacLaren F1 displaces well over 5.7 litres (6.1) and
produces 627 HP (well over the 100bhp/liter mark)

and The Ferrari F50 at a full 1 liter less than the Z06  produces 115 hp
more. 

Both cars will show distant taillights to a Z06 on any racetrack, anywhere.

A 360 Modena at nearly 2 liters less, falls a mere 5 hp short of the Vette,
and can likely give lap times spot on the Vette.

If it sounds ridiculous to compare a 55K Vette to this Super exotic trio, t
is, but so is comparing a purebred 2 seat sports car like the vette to a 4
door FWD sedan like the 164, or in fact any car Alfa made in the FWD era.

The last Alfa that could have been compared to the Corvette was the SZ, and
while one could argue that even there pushrods were a match for the Alfa
OHC, one could easily counter with the fact that the Alfa on 225 section
tires and a NON Independent rear Suspension pulled over 1.0 G on a skidpad,
while the Vette with IRS and massive 335's could only muster .89 at the
time. 

IOW, it's not what you have, it's what you do with it.

American OHC engines are below par, simply because their experience and $
has always gone into the pushrod technology. Over time they've gotten really
good at it. 

Same reason Alfa made a non IRS setup so effective, years of fine tuning.

Ditto, Porsche snd the hairdying mechanisms in the back of 911s.

BTW, In recent years GM has hired tons of former VW/Audi designers, many
well versed in the very successful, modern, aesthetic of the current line.
How come GM'vehicles are still in the dark when it comes to car design?
(look at a new Saturn)  Cause all the $ going into trucks.

Michael Smith also said

"Quibblers might claim the 164 engine put out 240 hp or 80hp/l (did anyone
 actually get to buy one of those in North America?) but they should know >
that GM could easily up the Corvette engine to that level"

Very true, but even if Alfa developed a 400 bhp motor, where would they put
it, there is no suitable chassis.

A 33 Stradale at 1.9 liters displaced over 120hp/Liter, great, but that was
in keeping with what Alfa did in those days, for the time being they are a
mass producer of FWD Cars, period. A monster motor would do them little
good. There are few in auto world that doubt that Alfa could an engine like
that if they had to.

Lastly, alot has been said about packaging a pushrod, sure they are smaller,
but in ALMOST every case have to be bigger to produce the smae performance
as a smaller OHC desig. So really the advanatge is nullified.

Tired of typing, debate on.

Giovanni
Alfa 75 3.0 S (220 bhp or 73.3 per liter)
So Cal
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