Quote:
Originally Posted by Playslikepage71
Yes sir, but you forget that a car needs to be engineered to relatively high standards to produce the revs as high as in the Ferrari's engine. In reality, horsepower is a less important number than torque, even though both numbers give a good idea of the performance of a car. And whether the car needs a lot of revs or not, it is still a more efficient use of the space. The front end of a Corvette is the most obnoxiously long piece of overstuffed fiberglass. It's the compensation car, for sure.
You are correct on you leafspring remark, however. It is an advantageous system.
As far as needing 525hp in a performance car, it has more to do with the top speed than anything else. It's getting similar performance numbers to the Elise with it's little 1.8L Toyota engine as far as acceleration and handling, despite increased weight, but it's top speed is much greater. That's why the Veyron need 16 cylinders, 4 turbos and 1000hp to go 250mph.
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The Corvette engine's displacement in place of revs, combined with very aerodynamic body, allow it to get better highway gas mileage than the
average economy car.
There is actually a reason it uses "old fashioned" pushrods too.... It allows the engine to be much more compact and ligthweight than a DOHC. That's why the Corvette's hood is so LOW. Every other V8/V6 sports car, except the mid engined supercars, is about as tall as a sedan.
The LS* engines in Corvettes are so compact and light that people swap them into Miatas.
The length of the hood is to allow the engine to be mounted further back for better weight distribution.