How come old stocker motors get 40 hp, but a newly built 1916 only gets 75hp?

From an ad in VWA, new block, crank, pistons/barrels, heads with bigger valves, dual Kadronns cam etc etc. Dynoed at 75!

I had loads of Alfa's....... 1500's and 1700's and they were all tyre shreaders!

(from Wiki....)
Engines

1971–1983 1.2 L (1,186 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 63–68 hp
1977–1983 1.3 L (1,286 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 75 hp (56 kW)
1978–1983 1.4 L (1,350 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 79 hp (59 kW)
1978–1983 1.5 L (1,490 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 85–105 hp (63–78 kW)
1987–1989 1.7 L (1,712 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 118 hp (88 kW)

See what I mean? Maybe the water makes them powerfuller

Where are all the horses going?

1916 with 75hp makes 90hp at flywheel not too bad almost doubling the factory specs and this is from an engine initially designed in the 20s.
Also having a few Alfas myself, both cars are worlds apart in technology purely due to Alfas race experience hence making more paper HP given same cc.
I guarantee you that 75hp beetle will spank the pants off a GTV6 any day of the week and twice on Sunday, the Alfa does turn and brake better though.

and the Alfa V6 sounds sweet!

But yes - you are comparing 1930's engine technology with 1980's

The poor old VW motor didnt progress much

75 Rear wheel HP is about right - and aint too shabby in an 800kg car with decent shocks and tyres

As for the 1600 - that 40HP is paper HP
I have not seen many 1600 with 40 ponies at the wheels

How come some 2347's make 120hp and some 2007's make 135.....??? there are many factors, it's in the details, a good combo, quality of parts, attention to detail on assembly and so many more factors

Im always questioning about HP when the dyno day results are published in the mag, so much variance.

Just remember HP and torque are different aspects of an engine build.

You can build a torquey engine that has a smooth consistent acceleration from standstill with good tourque over a good useable street range.

Or you can build a real powerful race engine that has to be on the boil continuously to get maximum performance, and has to be in specific rev ranges in the right gear. Great power when it is.

Compression ratio is low.... Due air cooled and 80 year old design..... Also volumetric efficiency is very low compared even to an eighties design

Quote:

Originally posted by roofchop How come old stocker motors get 40 hp, but a newly built 1916 only gets 75hp? From an ad in VWA, new block, crank, pistons/barrels, heads with bigger valves, dual Kadronns cam etc etc. Dynoed at 75! I had loads of Alfa's....... 1500's and 1700's and they were all tyre shreaders! (from Wiki....) Engines 1971–1983 1.2 L (1,186 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 63–68 hp 1977–1983 1.3 L (1,286 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 75 hp (56 kW) 1978–1983 1.4 L (1,350 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 79 hp (59 kW) 1978–1983 1.5 L (1,490 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 85–105 hp (63–78 kW) 1987–1989 1.7 L (1,712 cc) Alfa Romeo Boxer H4, 118 hp (88 kW) See what I mean? Maybe the water makes them powerfuller Where are all the horses going?

just to put it into prospective, a piss poor briggs n stratton v twin makes more hp/L than a 1600 stock vw engine lol.

Even more so for the single cylinder versions haha