Re: Crating vr6's

[Eliot Lim <eliot@u.washington.edu>]

On Mon, 13 Nov 1995 PDQSHIP@aol.com wrote:

> >drivetrain inertia, transmission lossiness (for slush) all play a part
> >in determining performance.  to say that everything else doesn't matter
> >and that only the engine is the sole determinant is just plain wrong.
> 
>  - How 'bout, wrong engine for the performance variables above - example:
> audi increase displacement on V8, wrong first time, and that's the wrong
> engine dynamics, eliot, there was no, "hey let's change the gear ratio to
> cover it up......"

i am not following.  it seems to me that you are talking about
engine+car combinations, while i am talking about engine not installed
in any body in particular. 

we're not even talking about the same point, it seems.

i agree completely that the audi v8 (the car, not the engine) does not
have a good match of engine to the body, the tranny etc...  but i'm
not even talking about that.  i think this whole thread started on
whether the passat is better with a vr6 or the current 12 valve audi
v6.

> Don't agree at all, the engine should complement the chassis, and should do
> so regardless of inertia, transmission, flywheel weight (my car), etc.. 

ok, you are talking about the manufacturer's specification of an engine
for its required role.  you are saying that "i am building car X.  and
for this car X, i need an engine of the following specs"

i am saying, "here are two engines already built and designed.  which is
better for deployment in car X?"

right now, there are two very clear and distinct choices to power the
new passat.  my preference is for the vr6.  it's future development
potential is irrelevant at this point, because the current audi engine
is not significantly superior.   when the audi v6 comes with 5 valve
heads and twin turbos it will be a no brainer to decide which to have.

perhaps VW is trying to make as many VR6s as possible because of its
limited life.  that would explain why they are selling them to
mercedes and ford (for use in some joint minivan project).



eliot