I can think of one three ford pushrod, the Mustang 3.8, the 4.2, and everyones favorite, the Vulcan 3.0. Those are about the 3 worst engines that ford has as well. DC and GM are also starting to move toward OHC. The Dodge 4.7 V-8 and 3.7 V-6 are both SOHC, the new inline engine family for GM is DOHC.

 

Actually, the manufacturers that have tried 4-wheel independent suspension have noticed that it doesn't work too well. It's not nearly as strong for one thing, that's why Cobra and Corvette have both had their fair share of trouble. And in the truck world, even mentioning something other than solid axles will get people all fired up.

GM continues to use pushrod motors with great success. Both have advantages/disadvantages, but I will tell you this: from my experiences so far I'd pick the OHV engines I've had over the OHC ones.

 

No manufacturer in the world thinks of 4 wheel independent suspension as a failed experiment as you seem to claim. They may not be as strong, but in 90% of cars that aren't pushing 400+ hp, (and drag racing) strength is not an issue. Better ride and superior handling are issues and 4 wheel independent wins hands down. Yet, it still isn't on every car. Why? Complexity and cost among other things.

I can name a thousand other inovations that are superior to what is being throw out to us in the marketplace, yet isn't utilized on "every" car. 4 wheel independent suspension was just one example. Just because something is better doesn't mean it will automatically be adopted and used exclusively if the market will allow the old to prevail. I'll take the superiorly designed engine myself.

 

Well, 4-wheel IS might be ok on some passenger cars, but as I said it's not OK on sports cars. When I lived there by the Corvette plant they actually had some cars come back to the factory with broken rear-ends because the independent setup just couldn't handle the power (there is a test track behind the plant). I hear Ford didn't have perfect success with using it on the Cobra either.

And just wait until Jeep anounces next year that the Grand Cherokee is going to independent front suspension. Boy, I'd hate to be Daimler-Chrysler. Jeep loyalists everywhere are going to go nuts over that. Why? Because it's a known fact that when you are not on the pavement, independent suspension is inferior. That's why Jeeps are still selling like hotcakes. I guess that'll change next year.

I guess it depends on what you are using the vehicle for. But I hardly think you can say independent suspension is the perfect setup.

Just for the record guys, which weighs more: a camshaft and two chains, or a set of 6 little pushrods? Cause everyone is saying how much weight reduction there is with the OHC engines. I think it's quite the opposite.

 

It's not rotating mass that matters. It's reciprocating mass.

As for the 4 wheel independent argument, there are still a ton of vehicles used only in applications where 4 wheel independent suspension is vastly superior yet not all manufacturers are using this technology, even in those applications.
Quote:"Because it's a known fact that when you are not on the pavement, independent suspension is inferior."

Tell that to the H1 Hummer!!!!!! The baddest mass produced offroad vehicle ever. BWAAAHAAAHAHAHAHA!!!

 

The Hummer is a good platform to build off of, but the thing thats keeping it down is the power. GM made a booboo by putting that "small" 6.0L in it. The 8.1L woulda been alot better. Or even sweeter the Duramax. I like the Jeep Rubicon, even though it needs more ground clearance but Dana 44s and Lockers is very nice. To me th best off-road vehicle, out of all the vehicles made ever including the past, would be a K5 Blazer, Bronco, Ram Charger. Good power to weight ratio, and good drivtrains. As far as the Blazer goes, its interchangeable with all GM axles, transfer cases, etc. So hopping one up is very easy. I'm sure Ford/Dodge is similar.

 

Not really, it is an underpowered turd. Lets go rock climbing with something that big. Really, it has 37" tires, little to no overhang, and lockers. I could take a jeep cj, put 37's on it, with lockers, and take the H1 over any terrain.

 

Sorry bigsnag thought you were talking about the new Hummer, and just saw the H1 after I replyed.

 

Because the plastic one fail more readily. I have seen many fail. I have seen one blow apart with an engine backfire, granted the engine wasn't running properly but it cost a whole lot more to fix since it then neede an intake. I have seen 4.6L plastic intakes crack and cause major problems in a crownvic. I have never seen a metal intake fail. AS th the heat thing, that is not really a factor, considering how much heat the engine gives off the intake charge temp difference is negligable. The only reason that plastic is used is for cost.

 

Quote:"I could take a jeep cj, put 37's on it, with lockers, and take the H1 over any terrain."

The crack is beginning to take it't toll.

 

I've seen plenty of videos on the 'net where a bunch of guys go out muddin' and the H1 is the vehicle that ends up getting stuck and needing a tow. I think it's a debate as to whether or not the H1 is the baddest off-road vehicle alive. Anyway...I just wanted to point out that newer isn't always better.

 

Ohc in mass production have been around since at least the 60's. 40 years not enough time? How much more friction does a 4.16" stroke produce versus 3.5" or 3.75"? Can a Ford modular make close to 500 streetable hp on 87 octane? Why does my newer hi tech low friction 5.4 only get 10 mpg in casual city driving? Why does Chevy and Dodge have bores closer to 4" rather than 3.5" Is it an emissions conspiracy against Ford? The cold hard truth holds water.

 

Quote:"Can a Ford modular make close to 500 streetable hp on 87 octane?"

Yes.

As for bore, it's not that you can't make a larger bore pass emissons, it's that it's easier with a smaller bore.

 

The Ford/Mercury T-bird/Cougar from '89 through '97 had an independant rear suspension with the 8.8" and 7.5" gears.

I put my '96 4.6L through hell, with a 3.73 and an Auburn LS. 55K miles of hard abuse, never caring about bumps, etc.

Had the alignment checked on all 4 wheels at 55K, and everything was smack-dab in the middle of nominal.

Not strong? I've heard of people pushing more than 500 HP through these rear ends, and while yeah, some wheel hop will destroy your axles, overall, the entire design holds up very well..

Guess what differential they used in the Cobra? Same as the t-bird/cougar, except for aluminum housing for weight. The outboard rear suspension is different, and that may be why they are having problems with it.

But as a rule, independant suspension can hold up - ever hear of a "Jaguar rear" ???

 

The independent rear from the Mercedes AMG6.5, which has a
twin turbo 600+ HP V-12 holds up without a problem!!!!