ORIGINAL: lear4406

I got in on this discussion kind of late... but. I see too many comparisons of Japanese 4 and 6 cylinders engines to american V-8s. The comparison is flawed due to the fact that the Japanese cars are Turboed. If you have to compare it to a V-8, then at least use a supercharged Cobra. Pressure to pressure comparison. N/A to N/A. As soon as a car is put under pressure its volumetric efficiency will increase quite substantually. Add the light weight and now you are comparing apples to oranges. The 4 and 6 cylinders are not as fast or quick when you give the V-8 the same power builders. The new HEMIs are almost able to hold their own without the help of a turbo or a supercharger. But add on one of these power boosters and you have a car in a very small minority. So to be fair please use a comparison that is more apples to apples. Don't pick the best of the Japanese cars and then pick a run of the mill American car just because its a heavy V-8. I have respect for both and I own both. 1970 GTX 440-6 and a 1988 Conquest TSI. Also 1971 340-4 Challenger and a 1991 Stealth R/T. The supercharged Cobra is one awsome beast, as well a Turboed Supra is too. And if we go to the top of the 1/4 mile shootouts they will use the best horsepower plant they can find and it is the mighty HEMI under a ton of pressure. Thanks for listening to my opinion, this is just how I see it. Randy.