Terrible US Engines

PMKeates said:
So we have in 1996 the 4.6L Mustang SVT Cobra producing 305 HP (66 HP/L). As you've elevated this beyond the standard production V8 engines to not just the Mustang, but the Mustang Cobra, I feel it quite fair to highlight another large displacement BMW engine from the era, the S62B50, better known as the V8 in the BMW M5. This engine produces 400 HP from a 4.9L (81 HP/L), 22% more power efficient than the Mustang.
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There wasn't a V8 M5 available in 1996...

As I mentioned before, the M62B44 is an intentionally de-tuned engined.[/quote]

What, detuned just like American V8s!? In 1965 you could walk outside of your local Chevy dealer with the keys to a 300BHP Nova with the power coming from a 5.4L V8.

In 1982 The Trans AM was available with a 165BHP 5.7L V8... Do you think the GM engineers just forgot how to design engines, or do you believe that the engines available in just about every american car since the 1970s has bee serverely detuned to meet emissions laws?
 
Joshy said:
do you believe that the engines available in just about every american car since the 1970s has bee serverely detuned to meet emissions laws?
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Why is it that other companies manage to meet emissions laws just fine with more power
 
PMKeates said:
I feel it quite fair to highlight another large displacement BMW engine from the era, the S62B50, better known as the V8 in the BMW M5. This engine produces 400 HP from a 4.9L (81 HP/L), 22% more power efficient than the Mustang.
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What is "power efficiency"? Why do you seem to think specific power output so important at these large engine sizes?
 
PMKeates said:
22% more power efficient than the Mustang
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Sorry old chap, but what the hell, did you just make up your own measure of efficiency? It doesnt fly!

What about other variables? How much fuel it uses? The type and gearing of the transmission? etc
 
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Dogbreath said:
They don't, even imports during this period were down on power due to emissions legislation.
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Indeed, many British cars haven't got through their clean emissions requirements which is why the Americans didn't get them. TVR is one example.
 
arent american power ratings not based on using 87 PON fuel as well ?

i'm sure that when you bring american cars over here and remap them for 99 RON uk fuel you get a decent performance boost over their original ratings.

So comparing BMW power outputs using 95 RON fuel is non comparable when the US engines are dyno'd on 91 RON fuel.
 
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rypt said:
US ratings are based on whatever the fuel type that the vehicle needs, if it needs premium then it is based on premium.
Much like UK ratings being based on whatever the car needs, be it 95, 99, 102 etc.
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yeah but the americans dont do premium fuel

stated power outputs allow them to use crap fuel in their expensive performance cars i believe. Maybe one of our resident experts can confirm / deny.

I know that modern BMW ratings are based upon them needing 97RON fuel as thats what it states in the manual, but i'm led to believe its different in the US and they dont require them to run super ?
 
I'd rather have the GT-R
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Thats great, but I sure wouldnt! I would imagine a lot of people that slate american V8's have never had the chance to drive a car with one.
 
Of course they are, since USA does not get 97 or 99, their top is 94/5 afaik.

The point is that the difference is only a few BHP.
 
rypt said:
US ratings are based on whatever the fuel type that the vehicle needs, if it needs premium then it is based on premium.
Much like UK ratings being based on whatever the car needs, be it 95, 99, 102 etc.

Japanese stuff is always 99 based though



I'd rather have the GT-R.
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US don't use RON, but a different scheme called PON or AKI, it gives lower numbers. As a rule of thumb you can add about 4 to PON to get RON though in reality it's a lot more complex than this.

So US "Premium" 91 is the same as our "Standard" 95. The US does have Premium 93 as well but it is rare so very few people map for it.

Japanese premium is 100 RON, nut sure what their standard is, probably 98 or something, but who cares as the Japanese imports anyone gives a damn about either run on premium or diesel.
 
Lum said:
US don't use RON, but a different scheme called PON or AKI, it gives lower numbers. As a rule of thumb you can add about 4 to PON to get RON though in reality it's a lot more complex than this.

So US "Premium" 91 is the same as our "Standard" 95. The US does have Premium 93 as well but it is rare so very few people map for it.

Japanese premium is 100 RON, nut sure what their standard is, probably 98 or something, but who cares as the Japanese imports anyone gives a damn about either run on premium or diesel.
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US Regular is 91–92 RON, 82–83 MON & 87 AKI.
 
the gas station next to walmart in kisimee sells 87 PON (or AKI, whatever floats your boat) 91 and 93

which is as already stated about 91-92 RON, 95 RON and 97-98 RON

But i believe all the US power figures are based on regular pump gas which is the 87 stuff.
 
rare said:
Thats great, but I sure wouldnt! I would imagine a lot of people that slate american V8's have never had the chance to drive a car with one.
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This, and in many instances it's not a case about being better, it's being something completely different (in a good way).
 
I can't really comment on most of the content of this thread, as I've never owned or even driven an American V8....but how on earth can you come to the conclusion that an engine is "terrible" based on a game and some numbers?
 
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