348 power vs modern engines.
Discussion
when new, my spider made 320 bhp from 3.4 litres. i've often thought that, despite the 348's detractors, thats a pretty amazing output from a v8 back in 1993. felt moved to post after reading the stats on the latest porsche cayman s. it's making 315 bhp from a 3.4 litre six. given that we've made 15 years progress whats the ph opinion. was the output of the engine extraordinary back then? or are today's engines pretty much hamstrung by regulations etc. i seem to remember when the 355 came out , lots was made of the engines output, was the same the case with the 348's?
100bhp per 1,000cc is an excellent output for an engine that isn't Turbocharged or Supercharged.
Progress has been made in the last 15 years, but noise and pollution requirements are much tougher and this will have a negative effect on outputs.
I think the output of the 355 is somewhere in the region of 107 - 109bhp per litre? At the time, I am sure Audi had an engine with a similar if not greater output, but this will have been Turbocharged and as such can be disgarded. 107bhp per litre, from a V8, is amazing.
Direct Injection is the next big thing for improving horse power, torque and lowering emissions all by noticeable amounts.
I'd say that Porsche could get more power from the engine in their Cayman that you've quoted. However, I dare say they choose not to as it wouldn't be good form to have a £45k car quicker than their £70k + 911 range of cars!
Progress has been made in the last 15 years, but noise and pollution requirements are much tougher and this will have a negative effect on outputs.
I think the output of the 355 is somewhere in the region of 107 - 109bhp per litre? At the time, I am sure Audi had an engine with a similar if not greater output, but this will have been Turbocharged and as such can be disgarded. 107bhp per litre, from a V8, is amazing.
Direct Injection is the next big thing for improving horse power, torque and lowering emissions all by noticeable amounts.
I'd say that Porsche could get more power from the engine in their Cayman that you've quoted. However, I dare say they choose not to as it wouldn't be good form to have a £45k car quicker than their £70k + 911 range of cars!
Edited by MJK 24 on Wednesday 11th February 20:06
DIW35 said:
MJK 24 said:
100bhp per 1,000cc is an excellent output for an engine that isn't Turbocharged or Supercharged.
Though a bit puny by modern superbike standards, where 170bhp/1000cc is rather more acceptable.DIW35 said:
MJK 24 said:
100bhp per 1,000cc is an excellent output for an engine that isn't Turbocharged or Supercharged.
Though a bit puny by modern superbike standards, where 170bhp/1000cc is rather more acceptable.And strap down your 348 engine to meet the current legislation and I'm afraid a lot of those exotic horses might just disappear.
The s2000 engine at ~120bhp/litre is one of the best modern day NA engines. Bike engines don't really count, as if they did 135bhp from 600cc is not uncommon.
If you want to compare to a modern day v8, the 8500rpm S65B40 is probably your best bet at 414bhp from 4 litres, so 103bhp/litre. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_S65
The s2000 engine at ~120bhp/litre is one of the best modern day NA engines. Bike engines don't really count, as if they did 135bhp from 600cc is not uncommon.
If you want to compare to a modern day v8, the 8500rpm S65B40 is probably your best bet at 414bhp from 4 litres, so 103bhp/litre. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_S65
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