i've never really liked the sound of muscle cars... for the most part, the unmodded versions are all-noise, no speed. in fact, i've never quite understood the mystical fascination many americans have with large, inefficient, unrefined, and downright obnoxiously loud engines. i suppose they are simply meant to be modded. in the campus garages (San Jose State), i see people with GT's revving up, setting off car alarms, and possibly neutering themselves. i mean, what's the point of showing off an engine that makes so much noise and vibration? i find this almost as annoying as rice rockets, except the ricers only try to emulate the sound with their coffee-can mufflers (pretty darn sad, IMHO).
the japanese and germans have almost always managed to produce more horsepower and torque given the same/similar displacement. example:
350Z:
base price: ~$27k
engine: 3.5L V6
1/4 mile: 14.1 @ 101
0-60: 5.4s
max hp: 287hp @ 6200
max torque: 274 ft-lbs @ 4800
mustang GT deluxe coupe (cheapest V8 version, somebody correct me if i'm wrong):
Edited:base price: ~$25k
engine: 4.6L V8
0-60 mph: 5.3?7.0 sec (C/D)
1/4-mile: 14.0?15.5 sec (C/D, couldn't find mph)
max hp: 300hp @ 5750
max torque: 320 ft-lbs @ 4500
even while giving ford the benefit of the doubt and going with the lower C/D figures, it still goes to show that it takes an american V8 to beat/match a japanese V6. i suppose in some ways, it's comparing apples and oranges... a tasty orange and a rotten apple.
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