- Banned
- #631
One difference I would personally LOVE to see for the S650 (and something that could help with shaving length from the car, therefore shaving weight without restricting cargo capacity) is if Ford could find a way to tuck the engine further back closer to the cabin. It sounds absurd because the first instinct is "that's impossible with a big V8", but GM has been doing it since the days of the 4th gen camaros.
Now, I know that our engines are a good bit wider up top than a pushrod LS/LT, but considering that that area of the cabin houses the dashboard, would it really have much impact on the interior space? Would it really be that hard to do effectively? Looking at the S550 engine bay, I think if the waistline of the S650 remained about the same height as the S550, it would be possible to perhaps lower the engine about half an inch (Composite/carbon fiber oil pan with maybe a dry sump system?) and create some space in the firewall to push the engine back
This kind of change would result in reducing front overhang which could contribute to better driving characteristics (having a better idea of where the front end is), reducing weight due to the smaller proportions, and improving the location of mass weight (with the engine being pushed lower and more towards the center of the car). Now, I'm by no means a qualified engineer, but this just seems to make sense to me, considering some of the best handling cars out there (Honda S2000, Mazda Miata, supposedly the new TVR Griffith, etc.) are all considered Front-Mid Engined (FR setup with engine placed mostly behind the front axle). Anyone have any objections to this or any ideas as to why it wouldn't work with Ford's DOHC engines or the S650 platform?
Now, I know that our engines are a good bit wider up top than a pushrod LS/LT, but considering that that area of the cabin houses the dashboard, would it really have much impact on the interior space? Would it really be that hard to do effectively? Looking at the S550 engine bay, I think if the waistline of the S650 remained about the same height as the S550, it would be possible to perhaps lower the engine about half an inch (Composite/carbon fiber oil pan with maybe a dry sump system?) and create some space in the firewall to push the engine back
This kind of change would result in reducing front overhang which could contribute to better driving characteristics (having a better idea of where the front end is), reducing weight due to the smaller proportions, and improving the location of mass weight (with the engine being pushed lower and more towards the center of the car). Now, I'm by no means a qualified engineer, but this just seems to make sense to me, considering some of the best handling cars out there (Honda S2000, Mazda Miata, supposedly the new TVR Griffith, etc.) are all considered Front-Mid Engined (FR setup with engine placed mostly behind the front axle). Anyone have any objections to this or any ideas as to why it wouldn't work with Ford's DOHC engines or the S650 platform?
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