Aurora40 said:
What does the engine have to do with a straight line? So if you took a car that can handle, and put a V8 in, suddenly it can only go in a straight line well? And what consideration or tuning does a Corvette need that a modified 4-cylinder car doesn't?
Depending on tuning, and gearing, a high torque V-8 may not be competitive under road/race conditions. Just because you have a rigid frame that doesn't succumb to body roll, or a quick steering ratio, doesn't mean that the
engine is suited for road/race. When your job at a drag strip is to get through the power-band as quickly as possible in a single burst, you don't have to consider the same factors in the engine as compared to trying to maintain revs coming out of a turn after braking hard.
This is true of all engines, of course, I was just making a point of the ones relevant to Tailwind's frame of reference, ie his car. And I think I didn't type too clearly ;p, I used the 'Vette as an example of a V-8 that is tuned differently and should be more adept at such things.
I guess if one of your considerations when buying a car is what British people might think of it, this is a valuable point. I'm not sure how many people consider that in their car shopping, though.
Again, this was just a point on perspective. The approach was that there was 'potential' to be tapped, and the misconception was that there was none in the M3 (his words). While there is significant potential to be tapped in a high displacement American V-8, it is neither innovative, nor mechanically impressive when put into perspective of other cars of similar displacement, or similar power.
Not that there's anything wrong with that(run what you brung, and all that), but the direct contrast that there is no power in the old straight-6, like the S54 edition, is certainly up for question.
Yeah, those Shelby Omnis are the cars everyone remembers when they think Shelby...
Dont forget the Daytona. He also built a mean Dakota. ;p Many of his project cars with Dodge were 4cyl daily drivers, even one being a rental car exclusive. His project cars typically outperformed the European models of the era too, so while not garnering major fame to most people, those achievements are still noteworthy, i think.
While you can certainly make any car fast and powerful, it's not unreasonable to say that there is more reasonably attainable power to be had, all else being equal, when you have more displacement.
yup. I was only speaking in contradiction to that small displacement or fewer cylinders can't be just as good or in some cases superior to. I just don't like that kind of automotive elitism; if its fast, its fast. Don't care how many cylinders it has until i have to take it apart...
Of course this thread really wasn't about how to make power, and there are some pretty respectable 4-bangers out there.
yeah, I think the other people already summed it up, saying 6cyl is good for an auto, and either is good for a manual. I was just picking nits.
When conditions allow I generally commute on the bike which averages about 45mpg. For long distance trips though we usually take the Taurus Wagon which has a V6 although the mileage isn't all that much better than the Mustang when the wagon is all loaded down with the family and luggage 
