*Moved - Alternative (green) Engines

[406Special]

Andrew,

If you are able to find a Mercedes 320CDI or 420CDI or even a VW 5.0
V10 diesel running and stand alongside them, they do not sound like
tractors or even lorries. I have heard a 335d BMW at 5 paces and it
is definitely louder than say a 330i petrol motor, but nothing
obtrusive and no clackety clack. With throtlle opened they sound
very similar to a rumbling V8 with more torque and thrust. The
latest technology has them running smoother and cleaner than engines
of even 10 years ago. If fuel consumption or CO2 wasn't an issue,
then a lovely supercharged V8 or V6 from any of the Germans would do
the trick. As far as particulate emissions are concerned recent
exhaust technology and cleanup methods inline behind the exhaust
certainly sorts out diesels. Note Alfa/Fiat do this sort of thing as
do Citroen/Peugeot/Ford/Jag/Land Rover and the German trio (EU
requirements). Basically burns the output to become null and void.
I am not a diesel aficionado, but for relaxed torquey pulling power
at reasonable economy it works.

My 406 engine is still being put together, but it will produce around
300+ bhp and more than 320 lbsft between 2500-5500 rpm with about 75%
of its torque available from 1800-2200 rpm. It is a 2.5 litre turbo
inter-cooled 4 cylinder 8 valve petrol motor. Due to its similar
weight to the original Bristol 6 the power to weight ratio will be
greater than 220 bhp per metric tonne, which is pretty darn god. For
comparison, a 411 S3 has about 197 bhp per metric tonne, assuming the
claims for the 383ci V8 producing 335 bhp. I reckon it was closer to
275 bhp in actual fact (mine was no more than 310 with a large 4
barrel Holley and decent exhausts - dyno checked). So my lighter 2.5
litre engine should get a lot more nimble performance than a 6.3
litre Chrysler V8. But then if I wanted an automatic with long legs
and good economy (my 2.5 litre should get mid to late 20's mpg) I
would plump for a diesel like a 320CDI motor or if one was available
a stonking 5.0 litre V10 from VW, although I do like Range Rover's
3.6 litre V8 diesel - nice and compact.

Clyde