Re: 4wd Mechanics

[Dave Eaton <dave.eaton@minedu.govt.nz>]

well, horsepower is basically engine speed. the faster the engine revs, the
more power it develops.  the other major variable is engine efficiency or bmep
(brake mean effective pressure) which relates to the basic efficiency of an
engine.  oh, and the other thing is the life of the engine. in formula 1, the
engine gets completely rebuilt after each 200km grand prix.  so tolerances are
very fine.  and the price per *unit* is over $US400,000 (believe it or not).  a
little more the cost of your average honda !

so, in concept you have (all normally aspirated):

. road cars where the state-of-the-art is ferrari (355) and bmw (m3) with a
little over 100hp/litre.
. normal race engines where state-of-the-art means 200-250 hp/ litre.
. formula 1 engines where state-of-the-art is 330-350 hp/ litre.