Is this really the case? I think Jack Clifford pioneered the "6=8" logo, but are the comparisons really apples and apples? Or apples and oranges?
We all know that a Chevy inline 6, especially the 292, can be built to best a v8 vehicle in a drag race. But what if the v8 is built as extensively as the inline 6 in terms of performance mods?
The thought of an inline 6 beating a v8 never entered my mind until I came across this site (and similar ones). But once I'd heard of it being done, I was really ready see it happen. Or better yet, since I had a small inline 6 engine, make it happen myself!
But as I've grown in my knowledge of performance and engines, I believe there is a bit of intentional misrepresentation in the "6 beating an 8" idea. An inline 4 cylinder engine can be built to beat a v8. A guy at my company has a '90 Eagle Talon that turns 10.25@128 mph in the quarter. Daily street driver fully dressed with A/C. It'll spank most v8 muscle cars. But can an inline 4 cylinder beat an equivalently built v8 in the same weight/size vehicle? Probably never.
There is the question of pushrod technology vs OHC technology. Certainly the OHC engines of today are producing more power, more efficiently than the dinosaur pushrods of yesterday. The Chevy trailblazer's 4.2L I6 puts out (supposedly) 270 HP stock. That's more than several **** (and all Toyota) V8s. Acura has 260HP v6s in family sedans and sport coupes, Nissan has 245-255HP v6s in their sedans. Unreal.
But back to my original point - can a smaller inline 4, 6 or v6 outproduce or outpower a larger v8 of similar technology? I still don't think so.
