Whats the biggest limiter to high RPM's in an engine

[PowerMacG5]

Also, what I don't think anyone mentioned is sometimes there is absolutely no need to run such high RPM's. Engines like that in the S2000 only produce power at high RPM's, while those big Detroit V8's have a pretty uniform power band, that drops off above the redline. This is due, as said, the to shorter stroke of high revving engines, and the longer stroke of a lower revving engine. The longer the stroke, the more torque that can be produced in a given cycle of the engine. Usually when one refers to a Detroit V8, they mean diesel, but in the form it seems to be used here, you mean normal unleaded fuel engines as well.

 

[Demon-Xanth]

Around here, "detroit V8" refers to the domestic automaker's sterotypically being in detroit. Not the company that makes Detroit Diesels (which I hear can do some pretty impressive things)

 

[B00ne]

one thing is moving masses - so u need more high tech materials if u want to get those down and design (ohc instead of pushrods)

and there ios more engine design - many high rev engines have a rather higher bore while the traditional detroit rather have a long stoke.

also internal friction is a problem when it comes to very high revs.