TheLion
Well-Known Member
- Thread starter
- #1,831
Fair enough Glenn. There are two advantages of a built I4 over a NA V8. On 93 pump gas a built I4 can put down the same power and torque, but over more area. It's also 175lbs lighter. So on the track a built 400 whp I4 will smoke a NA V8 because the power band is much broader and car is nearly 200 lbs lighter.I tend to agree with you, While mine is a Daily driver, I have a few vehicles for backup if needs be. I run straight pump 93 (98 ron Here in Germany) 99% of the time as Ethanol is much harder to come by then in the US.
The only thing I disagree with you on is stepping up to a GT engine, If your goal is over 600+ WHP, then Yes GT is the way to go, Having a 600 WHP car is fun, no doubt, I've been there, but what I do want is a comfortable daily driver, that I can rip into when the opportunity arises. I am looking for 550 reliable whp and 30+mpg when I'm not booting it. My VS2+ just arrived today so I am just aux fuel and Built engine away from, I am still under $29K right now. When I bought my EB back in 2015, The Cheapest GT I could get was $34K and that was the MAS no haggle price.
Once all is said and done I will be in the car for around ~$35k Even less if I decide to just order the pistons and rods and have my local shop build my engine. Once you get rid of the rods, this motor is very stout and I will have my 550 whp 30+MPG daily driver that I am only paying EBM insurance premiums for.
I don't really like NA engines or big V8s or any V engines, I think superchargers are a compromise, especially in efficiency. I respect the shit out of them, no doubt but all my cars were japaneese Turbo I4s and I6s with a few German and Japanese NA I6s in the mix and I can tell you that it is unlikely I will ever own a V8, it's not in my DNA.
On a drag strip the I4 would still edge out he V8 again because of the broad power band (area under the curve). But if you want really big power, FI V8's are the way to go.
I suppose doing a built big turbo I4 still has merits, but only up to a certain power level. For me, once you need to run more than 91 to make the power I see the need to step up to a V8 as I like to be able to drive all my cars on the street as well as at the strip / track / auto cross (even if I have secondary cars).
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