Quote:
Originally posted by Mike98Neon
*pulls out calculator again*
it takes 1,000 more rpms to gain 35 more hp out of the SiR engine. I find it rather interesting that if you divide the hp rating by the rpm you get 0.021 from the SiR then when you take the end result and multiply it by 5000 rpm which is the neon DOHC hp rating it comes out to 126 right back to the original specs of the SOHC engine. This leads me to beleive that the only way that they got that hp # is by spinning the motor faster. So, you say that the neon loses in hp/tq numbers. How? When the neon engine doesnt have to spin as fast and still generates more torque. Lets stay focused. Now lets say on this same logic tract, that the neon engine (DOHC) ran to 7600 rpm from the factory (it actually has a rev limit of 7350) under these same ideals the neon would generate 190hp at 7600 rpm and 166 ft/lbs torque @ 7000 Interesting huh? [/b]
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Not really. Your path here isn't relevant - the Neon engine loses its torque long before 7600 rpm, whereas the Honda motor is designed to keep pushing to higher rpm.
I agree that torquier engines are fun for city driving and useful for towing boats (I don't tow boats with my civic), but acceleration and lap times come from power output. The methodology behind all small engines (although the civic engine moreso than the neon engine) is to keep the engine smooth and able to rev high while still producing enough torque to peak the power curve later.
You're correct that "if the neon engine (DOHC) [could run] under these same ideals" it would produce more power. In other words, if dodge built the engine such that it could keep producing power at a honda-like rpm it would spank the honda engine. Duh, right? If I could build an 8L dump truck engine (max hp/torque around 1500 rpm?) rev up to 8k rpm with a flat torque curve, I'd spank all of you. But it can't.
I think you really have to look at the entire power curve to see what an engine does. The neon make power earlier but fall off and a typical honda engine peak (at more or less hp and likely less torque, depending which engine) at a higher rpm, with the torque curve staying higher longer.
I think I'm following your argument above; I just don't think it's particularly helpful, realistic or holds any water.