Nashco wrote:
Gearheadotaku wrote:
I hate 4 cylinders. No torque, rough running, must be rev'd like hell to do anything. Sadly, these tiny motors are a nessassary evil with toadys high gas prices.
I dare you to go test drive a car with the direct injected Ecotec turbo (Sky Redline, Solstice GXP, Cobalt SS, HHR SS) and then re-evaluate. That engine (especially with the GMPP tune) defies everything you just said.
Bryce
I've driven an ecotec yet, but I have driven turbo 4's for many years and recently drove a Mazda CX-5 SUV with their turbo 4 and the throttle response and torque was was extremely impressive. So much so, I had to retrain my foot.
Like Bryce said, I think you should go and drive some of the modern engines before you spread a blanket statement around like that.
BTW, my turbocharged Daytona drove from Portland, Oregon to Las Vegas at essentially 90mph at 3000rpm and average around 30mpg with a 5-speed. My automatic equipped Sundance turbo would turn 3500rpm at freeway speeds thanks to the stupid 3-speed auto. Same motors, same basic chassis, different gearing being the major difference between annoyed and comfy.
Medley wrote:
By free-revving, I meant willingness to rev (think opposite of a diesel).
Drive a V8 diesel with the boost turned up......Rev's REALLY likes to rev when the boost kicks. Didn't a Powerstroke dually win the Silver State Classic a few years back?
xFactor wrote:
Gearheadotaku wrote:
mad_machine wrote:
Gearheadotaku wrote:
I hate 4 cylinders. No torque, rough running, must be rev'd like hell to do anything. Sadly, these tiny motors are a nessassary evil with toadys high gas prices.
I actually prefer 4's. I love to rev the snot out of them and I find them a great compromise between fun and frugality. Using the gear box to get the most from a small engine is all part of the fun of owning a sports car
High revs and working the gearbox is fun, don't get me wrong. It's something I enjoy too, however, given the choice (and funds) I'd rather grab gears with a thundering V8 than singing 4.
Also, I like an engine that cruises the hi-way at 2,000 rpm or so, not wailing at nearly 4 grand. Whats a Miata turning at 80mph? For a 10 hour road trip? I know some people do it, and thats fine. Just not my choice. Not dissin' the 4 cly crowd, it's just not my thing. Yes I do own one for a DD.
Boost fixes everything! 
later, matt
Agree'd just add MOAR BOOOOOOST!
mad_machine wrote:
The saab does not like to rev at all.. but get her on boost and you have torque galore
My SAAB has no problem revving and has boost to back it up. I routinely bounce it off the rev limiter in 1st and 2nd and some times 3rd. But I have a c900 with a pretty low final drive compared to the ng900s.
As a guy that does nearly all my own maitanance and repairs, I have little interest in anything that doesn't have all its jugs in one line down the middle. But I do admit that I like the crackle of a well tuned SBF, and I don't mind working on most small block push-rod V8s if they are in a truck or large car.
If it has to be naturally aspirated and 4 cylinders, I don't think that there's anything better than a Honda. Even my girlfriend's old '86 civic was smooth, sounded good, and loved to rev.
However, add a turbo to just about any 4 banger and it too can be fun. Case in point my old Volvo 940 sounded like a tractor but once boost hit, at which point it changed to an angry vacuum cleaner, I didn't much care. It went like stink and that's all that matters.
My 99 9-3 likes to rev but I have opened up both ends a little. The grunt that 2 liter makes on boost is very addicting.
Out at SEMA I drove a new manual Fiesta. That car did not like to rev above like 4K, above that there was lots of noise but not much go at all. If Ford puts an ecoboost motor in there that car will be on my short list, it was very nice except for the power part.
