rec.autos.simulators

I see...
The rules of NASCAR don't allow as much technical progress as in F1 or other
leagues. isn't it?
So this might be correct... ;-))

Thx
Zolli

I for one am still very impressed that NASCAR cars can coax 700 horsepower out
of a pushrod engine and run it for hours at 8000-9000 RPM.  I'm also impressed
that the majority of these engines last the whole race.  I'd say technically,
they're doing OK.

            Zog

: I for one am still very impressed that NASCAR cars can coax 700 horsepower out
: of a pushrod engine and run it for hours at 8000-9000 RPM.  I'm also impressed
: that the majority of these engines last the whole race.  I'd say technically,
: they're doing OK.

No substitute for cubic inches.  I don't imagine the engine is overly
stressed when it's making only about 100hp/litre.  Lots of street cars now
make 100hp/litre, and can runn all day at redline (witness showroom stock
racing).

Stephen

It's hard to compare a modern engine with these rather archaic monsters.  Yes, the
engine builders have today's technologies available to them, but they're still
working with a basic design that is decades old, and very restrictive rules.  A
current in-line OHC engine with electronic feul injection can pump out the ponies,
no question.  Once you throw rocker-arms/pushrods, a 90 degree V-8 and a carburetor
into the equation, it brings what they do to these engines into perspective.
Production redlines were maybe 5000RPM, 6000 tops, for brief periods.  Having them
consistantly hit the mid 8000s for hours and survive takes a lot of work.  Somewhere
in the neighbourhood of 40 extra pounds of metal has to be added to the block to
provide enough reinforcement to handle the added strain.

We're comparing apples and oranges here.  I figure "only about 100hp/litre" is still
incredible for these cars.  I guess I'm still living in the past :o)

            Zog