458 Italia Engine is 4.5L
09-13-12, 08:32 PM
#18
Lexus Test Driver
Sort of. Motorcycles have been WAY better than this for years. My 1984 500 Interceptor had a 12,500 rpm redline and pulled all the way to it. 600cc bikes have been making over 100 hp for a long time now. It's all a question of balance - how much torque do you want and how high do you want to set redline? Why do you think F1 engines suddenly went from 10,000 rpm to 18,000 rpm when the FIA banned turbos? Half the torque, twice the rpm, same power, now we just fix the torque problem with gear ratios (that's why we have gearboxes anyway) and we're running the same speeds without turbos...
Consider the 500cc two strokes in F1 bikes (before MotoGP) making 200 hp from a half a liter. That's making power with a small displacement!
Consider the 500cc two strokes in F1 bikes (before MotoGP) making 200 hp from a half a liter. That's making power with a small displacement!
However it is Honda's experience in motor cycles that drove the S2000 to its output. Hollow camshafts, higher clearance tolerances, and balance, etc.We are also talking streetable daily drivers here. There are S2000's in the 200K mile range without a rebuild. I don't know of a motorcycle to hit that kind of mileage.
09-15-12, 07:34 PM
#23
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Their is nothing like a normally aspirated engine producing over 100 hp/L. The benchmarks for me were cars that I owned or still have in chronological order: the Integra type R, S2000, S54 powered M coupe, 996 gt3, e90 m3, gt3rs3.8. There is something special about ringing out anyone of these cars. It is especially amazing to me that Honda did it all those years ago in relatively affordable cars. I would expect BMW and Porsche to be able to do it because they are more expensive. Ferrari should definitely be able to do it at their price point.
09-15-12, 08:38 PM
#24
Geez, it's not really a magical formula. Any engine with a short stroke and lightweight internals and stiff valve train... could be high rpm. Only problem is that the engine is wasting so much energy spinning so fast that's it's inefficient.
Today's cars have to deal with fuel efficiency so a slower spinning engine has less drag and less waste. People think that the S2000's or M3's or Ferrari's engines are such a technological marvels but I really don't think so. Go to a Ferrari's board and see how many engines last 200K miles. NONE. The true technological marvel is Toyota's engine that has high efficiency, good power band, and lasts and lasts and lasts - and they do it affordably and stick it in "regular" priced cars.
Actually, IMO, the LF-A engine is amazing. Not in the sound or the HP kind of way, but I bet Lexus over engineered it so it could last 200K miles of abuse unlike Ferrari.
Today's cars have to deal with fuel efficiency so a slower spinning engine has less drag and less waste. People think that the S2000's or M3's or Ferrari's engines are such a technological marvels but I really don't think so. Go to a Ferrari's board and see how many engines last 200K miles. NONE. The true technological marvel is Toyota's engine that has high efficiency, good power band, and lasts and lasts and lasts - and they do it affordably and stick it in "regular" priced cars.
Actually, IMO, the LF-A engine is amazing. Not in the sound or the HP kind of way, but I bet Lexus over engineered it so it could last 200K miles of abuse unlike Ferrari.
09-16-12, 02:43 AM
#25
Lexus Champion
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