Chevrolet Unveils 350 HP+ 2.7L OHV I-4 Midget Racing Engine

[ZvetteGuy]

I am totally amazed in to how they can keep pumping out all that power from the 4 cylinder engine... That is ridiculous... but awesome!!!

Something tells me that we're not in the 90's no more!!!

[big swede]

Before everyone gets too excited about the power of this 4 cylinder let's keep it in perspective. It is a huge 4 cylinder (2.7), it doesn't have to worry about emissions, it runs on METHANOL, and it probably makes that power at an unrealisticly high rpm that would never be used on the street besides the occasional on ramp.

[Dave B]

Originally Posted by big swede

and it probably makes that power at an unrealisticly high rpm that would never be used on the street besides the occasional on ramp.

......

[big swede]

Originally Posted by Dave B

......

Yes the on ramp would be a blast

[EldoFan]

Originally Posted by big swede

Yes the on ramp would be a blast

I'm sure my local State Police Officers would have fun trying to keep up in their LS1 Camaros

[mmciau]

Originally Posted by big swede

Before everyone gets too excited about the power of this 4 cylinder let's keep it in perspective. It is a huge 4 cylinder (2.7), it doesn't have to worry about emissions, it runs on METHANOL, and it probably makes that power at an unrealisticly high rpm that would never be used on the street besides the occasional on ramp.

Yes it is built to do 15-30 minutes of running at about 4000-8500 RPM during which time it has to run from the back of the pack to hopefully No1 spot ingesting dirt and dust and not miss a beat!!

I think the 2.3 litre Cosworths of the 1990s or therabouts used to spin up to about 10,000 RPM but they were short strokers and the piston just vibrated up and down the bore!!!!

I'm not sure how oversquare this unit is

Mike

[baloo]

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

I wonder if a version of this could have useful application in a production car? Could it be a way to get awesome power and better mileage in a smaller package?

No. Realistically this engine will struggle to get 10mpg, cost as much as a midsize car, pollute as much as 10 midsize cars and need a couple $10k rebuilds every year.

[stick076]

Originally Posted by baloo

No. Realistically this engine will struggle to get 10mpg, cost as much as a midsize car, pollute as much as 10 midsize cars and need a couple $10k rebuilds every year.

But uses less gas than a Prius!

[ogg vorbis]

Originally Posted by johnstarnes

I wonder if a version of this could have useful application in a production car? Could it be a way to get awesome power and better mileage in a smaller package?

excellent find, sierrags! i noticed it in my thread as well

what i see is an R07 type head, splayed valves, probably 4.185" x 3", 2699 cc, 2.2" x 1.625" valves. the R07 ports are already dead straight; i don't know why they moved the cam - it'd benefit inline valves the most. this makes me wonder if the LS engines will become reverse flow, like the new diesel.

i had no idea chevy was developing their own midget engine when i posted this last december (post #38): New V6 needed do i think this has production potential? abosolutely; albeit with an LS head for commonality. the complete engine weighs 220 lb! the ecotecs weigh 265-285 lb (atlas are heavier, and redundant) and there's tons of potential in the engine for turbocharging! it'd be cheaper than the ecotec too. imagine a lightweight 200 hp 3.0L I4 in a colorado, or solstice

the dodge midget engine does really well. 2.66L, 4.130" x 3.03", 350 hp @ 7200, 265 lb-ft @ 6500, and redlines at 8500 rpm. 10 mpg for n/a 131 hp/L is really good. http://www.moparperformanceparts.us/...dHardware.html

the EPA has asked manufacturers to stop the horsepower war. we're at the peak right now. look for torque to become the star...which means more diesels and 2v. 2v naturally make more torque down low, without all the variable intakes/valves/etc. i wouldn't be surprised if gm scrapped the 3v motors.

[AndrewGS]

Hmm... this would bolt right into a Colorado.

[SierraGS]

Originally Posted by ogg vorbis

excellent find, sierrags! i noticed it in my thread as well

what i see is an R07 type head, splayed valves, probably 4.185" x 3", 2699 cc, 2.2" x 1.625" valves. the R07 ports are already dead straight; i don't know why they moved the cam - it'd benefit inline valves the most. this makes me wonder if the LS engines will become reverse flow, like the new diesel.

i had no idea chevy was developing their own midget engine when i posted this last december (post #38): New V6 needed do i think this has production potential? abosolutely; albeit with an LS head for commonality. the complete engine weighs 220 lb! the ecotecs weigh 265-285 lb (atlas are heavier, and redundant) and there's tons of potential in the engine for turbocharging! it'd be cheaper than the ecotec too. imagine a lightweight 200 hp 3.0L I4 in a colorado, or solstice

the dodge midget engine does really well. 2.66L, 4.130" x 3.03", 350 hp @ 7200, 265 lb-ft @ 6500, and redlines at 8500 rpm. 10 mpg for n/a 131 hp/L is really good. http://www.moparperformanceparts.us/...dHardware.html

the EPA has asked manufacturers to stop the horsepower war. we're at the peak right now. look for torque to become the star...which means more diesels and 2v. 2v naturally make more torque down low, without all the variable intakes/valves/etc. i wouldn't be surprised if gm scrapped the 3v motors.

You got this engine just about right in your post in December without knowing about it, good call.

What interests me about this engine is how low it is which can help lower the hoodline of a car powered by it, this really opens up some design possibilities.

I know this is a race engine first and doubt we will see it in a future GM car but I bet some of the valve train technology will find its way there.