Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version nyu B notes v1.5 12/10/84; site acf4.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!genrad!panda!talcott!harvard!seismo!cmcl2!acf4!hkr4627 From: hkr4627@acf4.UUCP (Hedley K. J. Rainnie) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: big block vs 4-bangers Message-ID: <330019@acf4.UUCP> Date: Thu, 7-Mar-85 00:49:00 EST Article-I.D.: acf4.330019 Posted: Thu Mar 7 00:49:00 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 10-Mar-85 06:50:30 EST References: <281@oblio.UUCP> Organization: New York University Lines: 29 To TOM: (I ain't to blame, this ain't no flame) 1) The alloy Porsche and Mercedes-Benz now uses in their aluminum engines is known as 390 alloy and was developed, you guessed it, for Chev- rolet's ZL-1 racing engine. Flame on about American engines if you wish, but the Chevy 427 is the exception. This motor was developed ground-up for international 24 hour racing. 2) I challenge your assertion about the new Vette and the Porsche. If I recall the article, C&D rates the Z-28 better almost purely subjectively--the Vette beat it out on almost every test.C&D writers are entertaining enough, but most should be put away for their own safety. In addition, they tested the '84 Vette which has an inferior suspension to the 85 and a far less powerful engine. Road and Track ran a similar test under RACING conditions at Willow Springs raceway. This test was also with the '84 Vette and it wound up on top in lap times. The Z-28 was 4th, the Porsche 944 5th. In lateral accelerati, the Corvette again took top honors, the Z-28 5th, the 944 6th. I'm not saying that one test is better than another, but that you can't trust tests blindly. (signed) Speed Racer p.s. Jeff & I both drive 427 Vettes. Out of curiosity, what do you drive, Tom?