<VV> GM - no specific Vair

[Bill Elliott]

>.  Do you *need* 4-valves-per to make a powerful, peppy
>engine?  
>
No, but you *need* more than 2 valves per cylinder to make a powerful, 
peppy, and _economical_ engine. It improves volumetric efficiency.

>Consider the the LS6 V8 , which puts out more power than the
>LT5 did with the same displacement, 16 fewer valves, and pushrods.
>  
>
Consider my (former) BMW M3  which  would outperform (or at least 
perform with) with the Corvette despite having little more than half the 
displacement and yet turn in 30mph highway  and carry 5 people to boot....

This isn't to say that modern GM V8's aren't impressive (they absolutely 
are)... just that there are other ways to arrive at similar performance 
levels but with greater efficiencies and utilizing technologies that can 
"filter down" to more standard economy cars... something our domestic 
automakers have never done well. Our cars typically weigh more and get 
worse mileage than their imported competitors...

>Perhaps the buyers, erm, "wouldn’t notice the difference."  So why
>spend the $62 -- just so you can put "16-valve" on the valve cover?
>
>  
>
Many buyers wouldn't be likely to notice.... the rest are already buying 
imports...

Bill