Really amazing what these guys can pull out of these stock valve size heads. Truly shows there craftsmanship!
I've seen some pictures of the headwork, absolutely mindblowing!
My question is, how reliable are they on the street? Or are they purely for racing purpose with a narrow powerband and in need for specific short gear ratios?
Glauco
As Micke noted, these are race engines. Period. If you start on a clean sheet of paper and want to build a high power stock valved 1600 engine that will be functional on the street, - and by that I mean that it should work as a commuter, on the Motorway and a grocery getter (Normally aspirated) there is a limit to everything. Peak power is not the problem. The challenge is to make a set up that has enough usable torque in the lower rpms to be easy to drive and at the same time roar at higher rpm. What is a good street engine (?) That is an individual definition, but my definition is: Easy to start, usable power from 1200 rpm in 3rd gear and a general power window of at least 3000 rpm.
With the things we know today I would say that the power range for a Super street" 1600 is around 135 hp with peak around 62-6300 and peak torque of approx 160 Nm around 4700 rpm. I would build a long tube 4-2-1 header with a custom chambered muffler for it to get the widest possible torque band.
Would it be financially feasable over a larger displacement (?) No, but its possible.
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