4.6 quad cam Ford into RF40 - does go !!!!!

[Ian K]

Chris,

GM is playing with cammers.

The Northstar and Aurora V8s are a prime
example of this. Both have done signficant
racing time, and have fared quite well.
Just because it (or some derivative) hasn't
found its way into a vette doesn't mean
GM is ignoring it. The LT5 (ZR1 vette) was
a cammer as well.

Oh, and some Northstar caddies are RWD!

The American hot rod guys have been
putting Northstars into their rods for
a few years now, with success. However,
just like Ford, aftermarket parts are just
beginning to surface. Ford has the jump tho'
since souped up Mustangs are more common
than souped up DeVilles, Eldorados, and
Auroras.

Ian

 

[Gary Gibbs]

Another "interesting" fact is that OHC designs can allow for higher RPM operation due to less reciprocating mass, etc. The funny part is the 4.6 L is just over square at 3.55 bore x 3.54 stroke, and thus is not a high RPM configuration. For square (or under square where stroke is longer than bore) engines push rods are acceptable. I THINK the 5.4 L is significantly under square and gets all of the extra displacement through stroke.

As I assume you all know when an engine is designed based on a fixed maximum displacement the trend (assuming you have materials that can take it) is to have the largest bore possible and shortest stroke. Just look at F1 engines that can turn up to 19,000 RPM.