Question:
Why are American engines so underpowered compared to German and Japanese engines?
JOE
2008-05-30 21:22:28 UTC
Most American engines are not able to match the power and performance of engines made by German and Japanese automakers. And I have noticed that most of the V8s in the American cars put out about the same or less horsepower as a Japanese V6. Take the VQ V6 engine made by Nissan, for example. That award winning engine can be found in most Nissans and Infinities. In 1995, that engine made about 190 hp. Today the VQ V6 in the latest Z and G37, puts out more than 330 horsepower (it has been known to put out more after some performance tuning.) Those are numbers that not even American V8s can match. I know that the Corvettes V8 is one of the best there is and that the new direct injected V6 from Cadillac puts out 300 horsepower. But these are not enough. Detroit needs to make better engines. Engines that are either more fuel-efficient or more powerful; or both if that is not asking too much. Everyone can't afford a Vette or Cady. We need performance cars that look good and are affordable.
Six answers:
joe
2008-05-30 22:28:27 UTC
the reason japanise and german cars are getting more horsepower and better milage is because the oil crissis hit them way before they hit america.. so they have more development into making their engines more effitiant.. resulting in more power per liter.



we in america just now are starting to get into the crissis and soon we will start having more effitiant engines.. but dont count on it for a while.. most american companys still go by the rule.. "no replacement for displacement" *sigh*
2008-05-30 21:41:23 UTC
Don't shortchange American engines- look at Nascar. American pushrod V8 s are a well developed , sales popular design with long life expectancy with minimal upkeep. The performance of small block Chevy engine is a standard of comparison, the fords and Chrysler are also well known- again look at NASCAR or Indie 500 racers. Compare cost of engines also for the high horsepower- a turbo charged OHC V6 can cost a bit more than a well tuned 350 Chev V8 making same horsepower. The old Buick V6 block with OHC and blower does a good job on street for power. Fuel economy is related as much to overall weight of car as to engine size and design- big as* Americans need larger cars just to fit comfortably, fuel economy is fair now.
GLYCERINE000
2008-05-30 21:58:35 UTC
American engines are very powerful have you looked at the stats recently an american v8 can match any jap v6. The new camaro and mustang are going to put out 400 horses in a 6.2 v8 and the camaro will get 20 or better highway american auto makers now cannot afford to risk profit on the greatest and latest sports car their main focus right now is cafe standards nipping at their heels because trucks are their best sellers but an american v8 can take on any jap v6 but fords realesing a new branded engine ecoboost that will include a turboed 4 cyl for exinsting v6 applicatins and a turbo v6 for v8 apps so you got to give american automakers their dues they have come along way and by the way how many jap v8's do you see on the road barely any because the last time i checked the tundra's v8 had horrible issues with cams and other jap v8's have faild soo
Benson L
2008-05-30 21:57:06 UTC
Mostly due to federal government subsidies to the American car industry and heavy duty on imported cars.



This lead to american car industries having a monopoly on the car market. On top of this the fuel in America is of much lower octane, which defeated the purpose of improving engine efficiency, as re-designs would not be able to reach full potential anyways.



Don't discount the American engines though, as the massive amount of torque is fantastic. Remember acceleration and speed are dependent on BOTH power and torque.



The lack of torque in japanese cars like the Honda with VTEC engines mean they are more reliant on the gearing (gearbox).



But seriously America... its time for DOHC not SOHC. and VVT is a very useful thing. Fuel efficiency and smoother power output. You don't lose out on torque. So why not implement it on all your cars? Not just the high end ones...
Nikola M
2014-09-12 13:57:57 UTC
There is a great difference between engineering legacies and practices. German engineering is more advanced ( compared to American) and so is Japanese. Take a look at Audi for example, their engines can run 500,000 miles but find me an American brand which can do the same? To catch up, education is the key.
Unicorn
2015-10-07 08:48:19 UTC
i moved to asia 5 years ago..due to oil crisis here they (japanese, korean etc) are making fuel efficient vehicles with hp and tq..far better reliability than american vehicles..i see ford or chev try to compete but its a no no..they got long way to go..i almost or never see u.s vehicles outside america.. :(


This content was originally posted on Y! Answers, a Q&A website that shut down in 2021.
Loading...