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Joined: Jan 2002
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Is there much point in arguing whether one configuration of engine is better than another? The engine is after all only part of a package of elements that make up a car – the others being suspension, steering, brakes, the weight, and the use intended for the car.
Car performance in a straight line boils down to power to weight ratio, and around corners depends on lightness (lack of weight). In the States a lot of emphasis is put on acceleration in a straight line – 0 to 60 times and ¼ mile times are trotted out to prove how “good” a car or engine is. Indeed in a land where there are large open spaces and the roads are mostly straight, acceleration can become the dominating aspect of a cars design. Great results can indeed be achieved by increasing engine size, but this inevitably increases weight and reduces the cars handling ability.
The trouble is that handling is much harder to define in hard numbers – it is something that gives a car it's feel and character. The way a car rides, brakes and corners is much more subjective. It is this ability to handle that can be enhanced by a light powerful 4 pot engine.
In Europe – Britain especially as a land of smaller spaces, amazing winding roads - the way a car handles is given a lot of importance. A car can be very satisfying to drive on a challenging windy road without being dragstrip fast. Fine examples the search for road legal optimum handling are the Caterham Seven with the more refined Fisher Fury not far off the pace. Nearly all of these cars are built with 4 pot engines ( many Zetec) with the more extreme examples using high power motorcycle engines complete with their sequential gearboxes. A V8 would just be counterproductive for the handling and is rarely used.
The Zetec in a Mondeo or Contour body certainly is never going to be the fastest car on the road, but I found the last Mondeo I drove to be a fine handling car when you consider what range of uses it was designed for. And adding tuning mods is great fun.
A V6 or V8 isn't always the best solution.
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Originally posted by edmund r ayres:
Is there much point in arguing whether one configuration of engine is better than another? The engine is after all only part of a package of elements that make up a car – the others being suspension, steering, brakes, the weight, and the use intended for the car.
Car performance in a straight line boils down to power to weight ratio, and around corners depends on lightness (lack of weight). In the States a lot of emphasis is put on acceleration in a straight line – 0 to 60 times and ¼ mile times are trotted out to prove how “good” a car or engine is. Indeed in a land where there are large open spaces and the roads are mostly straight, acceleration can become the dominating aspect of a cars design. Great results can indeed be achieved by increasing engine size, but this inevitably increases weight and reduces the cars handling ability.
The trouble is that handling is much harder to define in hard numbers – it is something that gives a car it's feel and character. The way a car rides, brakes and corners is much more subjective. It is this ability to handle that can be enhanced by a light powerful 4 pot engine.
In Europe – Britain especially as a land of smaller spaces, amazing winding roads - the way a car handles is given a lot of importance. A car can be very satisfying to drive on a challenging windy road without being dragstrip fast. Fine examples the search for road legal optimum handling are the Caterham Seven with the more refined Fisher Fury not far off the pace. Nearly all of these cars are built with 4 pot engines ( many Zetec) with the more extreme examples using high power motorcycle engines complete with their sequential gearboxes. A V8 would just be counterproductive for the handling and is rarely used.
The Zetec in a Mondeo or Contour body certainly is never going to be the fastest car on the road, but I found the last Mondeo I drove to be a fine handling car when you consider what range of uses it was designed for. And adding tuning mods is great fun.
A V6 or V8 isn't always the best solution. well said
97 Zetec MTX Sport
Esslinger UDP; Nology HotWires and BERU Silverstones; Sylvania Silverstars (high beam in low beam)
Dual Fiamm air horns
Mk1 Mondeo Clear corners(and yes I made them fit....)
Boston FS80's in the front
Micah's PRE98 SVT front bumper, W/ Mirko splitter(yet to be painted)
Rally drivers do it sideways......
Email: Roknut@linkline.com
AIM: AphexTwinGrin
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Joined: Apr 2001
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Originally posted by edmund r ayres:
Is there much point in arguing whether one configuration of engine is better than another? The engine is after all only part of a package of elements that make up a car – the others being suspension, steering, brakes, the weight, and the use intended for the car.
Car performance in a straight line boils down to power to weight ratio, and around corners depends on lightness (lack of weight). In the States a lot of emphasis is put on acceleration in a straight line – 0 to 60 times and ¼ mile times are trotted out to prove how “good” a car or engine is. Indeed in a land where there are large open spaces and the roads are mostly straight, acceleration can become the dominating aspect of a cars design. Great results can indeed be achieved by increasing engine size, but this inevitably increases weight and reduces the cars handling ability.
The trouble is that handling is much harder to define in hard numbers – it is something that gives a car it's feel and character. The way a car rides, brakes and corners is much more subjective. It is this ability to handle that can be enhanced by a light powerful 4 pot engine.
In Europe – Britain especially as a land of smaller spaces, amazing winding roads - the way a car handles is given a lot of importance. A car can be very satisfying to drive on a challenging windy road without being dragstrip fast. Fine examples the search for road legal optimum handling are the Caterham Seven with the more refined Fisher Fury not far off the pace. Nearly all of these cars are built with 4 pot engines ( many Zetec) with the more extreme examples using high power motorcycle engines complete with their sequential gearboxes. A V8 would just be counterproductive for the handling and is rarely used.
The Zetec in a Mondeo or Contour body certainly is never going to be the fastest car on the road, but I found the last Mondeo I drove to be a fine handling car when you consider what range of uses it was designed for. And adding tuning mods is great fun.
A V6 or V8 isn't always the best solution. Nice!!!
**Spelling should not count**
2000 SE Zetec ATX
Medium Steel Blue (Now with large custom dent on the rear door)
Cool Blue Lows, Silver Star Highs (great lights)
"If what I said was wrong, it wasn't. I just forgot to add the rest of my post."
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Joined: Jan 2001
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Originally posted by edmund r ayres:
A V8 would just be counterproductive for the handling and is rarely used.
What are you talking about? BMW M5, Corvette, Various AMG?s, Holden?s, Ferrari, Aston Martin, etc? all V8?s or V12?s and handle quite well. In the UK gas is over $4.00 a gallon? that is why they use small displacement engines. V8 cars can?t handle = Number 1 ricer argument. Originally posted by edmund r ayres:
A V6 or V8 isn't always the best solution. Agreed.
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 62
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Yes we have expensice petrol, and really stupid emissions. But that is not the sole reason for the prevalence of 4 cylinder engines.
Vauxhall, citroen, Peugot, Alfa Romeo, BMW, VW, Seat, etc etc.
All companies based on the continent, most with considerable cheaper petrol, in all countries 4 cylinders are prevalent. Nearly all of the inline variety.
Yes we have windy roads, I learned to drive on them, learning how to shift, racing lines etc on the back roads of Scotland. You should come over for a really challenging drive!
The cars quoted that are V8 and V12's are nearlt always owned by gents, or ladies over the age of 50, whos idea of a challenging drive is finding a parking space in the local supermarket. The reason being rip off Britain, our cars are horrendously expensive, and are insurance system is dire. Example one of mates 18 just passed his test, 959CC Fiesta 1989 cars worth £500. Insurance quote 3rd party, £1300. Nearly triple the price of the car and that is only group 3. The cars you quoted are all group 20.
The Mondeo is an exceptional car, with many awards to its name. Its one of the best handling, reliability in its class.
Power wise, its not the fastest and Vtecs will eat it. But within the next month my power output will go from 134BHP to almost 215BHP, thats not including the NOS system I'm thinking about. Also some lightening will be going on as well.
Why do this to a family car I hear you ask? Because I want too, I enjoy it, I love going fast, and maybe my next car may be a high powered skyline, but for the moment I am more than happy (even with the 4" hole in my block).
I have no respect for the Zetec, is a stupid thing to say on a forum where most peeps have that engine!
~~Mondeo 2.0 Ghia Hatch~~~
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Originally posted by burgman: Originally posted by edmund r ayres:
[b]A V8 would just be counterproductive for the handling and is rarely used.
clip
V8 cars can't handle = Number 1 ricer argument.[/b]He was referring to the Caterham Sevens and Fisher Fury's...they rarely use V8's because of the adding weight negating some of the handling ability and throwing off the power to weight ratio. Re-read that paragraph...you'll understand. 
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I read what he wrote, but only quoted what I needed. The real reason I like Stang?s and V8?s is:  Brit guy? I live in the land of cheap gas and insurance? damn I love this country. 
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Joined: Aug 2001
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Originally posted by redhawk:
...I don't know a single guy on this board whose zetec could even carry a GT's cupholder. Heh, I have a Mustang Fuel door. :p Oh Yeah, nice pic! 
96 Contour GL (2.0L Zetec, ATX)
Sony CDX-C780 HU, Sony CDX-805 10 disc Changer, Sony XDP-210EQ, RF Punch 100.2 Amp, RF Punch 240.4 Amp, Dual 12'' Punch subs, Four Infinity Kappa 693.3i 6x9's, Optima Yellow Top
CTA Intake, Hood Struts, EL Ford Logo, Hi Beam/Low Beam Mod, Blue LEDs in door handles and footwells
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Posted by TBlunder: ohsigmachi-where have you been for the last ten years? there are tons of v8's that get great gas mileage. ever heard of lincoln Mark VIII? those will get 30 easily. cadillac? camaro? the new gm V8's get great mileage as well. just as good if not better than any stock zetec.
Where have I been, I live in the present and constantly look torward the FUTURE. Maybe 5 years ago 30/23mpg was considered good gas mileage, but w/ ever climbing gas prices(I'm still paying 1.30 for 87 octane!!) and the introduction of super high efficiency hybrid cars into the mainstream markets, in the future V8's are going to be in trucks and SUV and that's about it. And for god's sake quit harping about the D@mn Licoln, my offer still stands: you bring the Granny-mobile and I'll bring the Zetec and we'll see who leaves with the grins. When my Zetec gets turbo'd my car will have cost 20K less(total including car) than a new a lincoln and it will beat the pants off of nearly any car you care to name(Chatterhams not included :p ) About the GM V8's can you name a GM passenger car currently in production w/ a V8 and rear wheel drive besides a corvette?...didn't think so
Ohsigmachi '96 GL MTX Zetec SS (SuperSleeper)
Suffice it to say my mod list has become so long that it is just ridiculous
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'Cause you know a McLaren can't handle
Kharma is very real and she is one mean b!tch.
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