Ignorant question about engine size

[Dolph]

Here's a good place to start to try and understand engines

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/engine.htm

 

[Entai]

I once saw an engine, that was around 6 litres in displacement and was putting out just under 700bhp.
It was originally built as an experiment to see what could be done, and is running on a dyno where the system varies the loading and the revs etc, so it was not just running at a set speed or anything simple like that.
Every year they stop it for a few days strip it down take measurments rebuild it and continue running it.
When I saw it the engine had been running for nearly 25 years, and had done the equivalent of over 13,000,000 miles.
Every measurement that has ever been taken is exactly the same as when it was built, i.e. nothing in it EVER wears out.
I was only told that it was built with very special composits of various ceramics.
Incidentaly, the oil is replaced every 1,000,000 miles, the filter never has been.
The only other thing worthy of note is that it was then attached to the eleventh dyno, as all the others had been worn out and needed to be replaced.

 

[Fr0dders]

the best way of summing this up is to reflect on the fact that engine size in no way has any reflection on performance.

American cars do have highly tuned 500+ bhp engines, equally they have engines of the same size producing 160bhp.

What gives a car its power, is usually its induction method (forced ie Turbo/Supercharged, or naturally aspirated) and its state of tune. As flibster posted, the F1 engines were 3l and produced 1000bhp.

In europe, small low power cars are usually smaller capacity because they're more economical and this is essential with european petrol prices. In the US, petrol was ludicrously cheap, so the tendancy was to go with bigger engines for the low power market, as they give very good torque and pulling characteristics. and i believe that big engines, with small power outputs, require very low maintenance as well.

Only reason the europeans dont have big small power enginges is due to fuel costs i believe.

 

[Jonnycoupe]

OK so has my understand been tested? What is the max power output of petrol? and are we achieving it with todays cars?
Are engine titanium?
Im sure this has been tested by car manufactors, otherwise they are dumbasses.

Probably have't even bothered testing it.

Any OEM out there that gonna operate its business and design cars like F1 cars wont make money trying to sell unsellable cars. Now plastic blocks could be something more viable at the other end of the scale

 

[Jonnycoupe]

Also little roads prefer little cars. Engine packaging plays a huge role in that.

 

[tbz_ck]

I once saw an engine, that was around 6 litres in displacement and was putting out just under 700bhp.
It was originally built as an experiment to see what could be done, and is running on a dyno where the system varies the loading and the revs etc, so it was not just running at a set speed or anything simple like that.
Every year they stop it for a few days strip it down take measurments rebuild it and continue running it.
When I saw it the engine had been running for nearly 25 years, and had done the equivalent of over 13,000,000 miles.
Every measurement that has ever been taken is exactly the same as when it was built, i.e. nothing in it EVER wears out.
I was only told that it was built with very special composits of various ceramics.
Incidentaly, the oil is replaced every 1,000,000 miles, the filter never has been.
The only other thing worthy of note is that it was then attached to the eleventh dyno, as all the others had been worn out and needed to be replaced.

Got any links to info on this engine. I'd like to read more about it please.

 

[Lashout_UK]

Engineers and designers have long had the technology and materials to create a 'sealed' unit powerplant that lasts the life of the vehicle, with no servicing.

Alas, it would see the downfall several already weak automotive manufacturers as income from servicing and repairs disappeared - and possibly cost of manufacture, materials and tooling rose.

Take a look at the Northstar V8, it's a good example of a low-service engine. I think the first major service is due at 100,000 miles. This engine also has so many limp home, alternate fire options and so on that it is very reliable. Many have already done over 200,000 with ease. I'm sure the rest will too.

As for maintenance, there isn't much. One of GM's goals with the Northstar program was to reduce maintenance to a minimum. The engines are factory-equipped with 100,000-mile platinum-tipped spark plugs and five-year/150,000-mile Dex-Cool antifreeze, and use chain-driven cams to eliminate the need to replace timing belts. Except for oil and filter changes, there isn't much to maintain - unless something breaks.

However, oil changes must occur at every 7500 or 10,000 miles to maintain the engine in best condition and to avoid premature wear.

And to prove there's no such thing an an unreliable engine - I know of an obviously well built when new Sprint engine (1974 16 valve two litre) that's done 296,000 miles - with only a stripdown at 113,000~, along with some new bearings, to freshen it up and see how it was going

I think the K series engine was supposed to have a plastic block. Fell through though, can't remember why - probably tooling and cost.