legolili t1_iugyvx4 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 6:57 AM

Reply to comment by davmeva in ELI5: How exactly do we get some much power from engine now, than we did 40, 50, 60 years ago? by Micromashington

The Merlin engine in the Spitfire initially used it's twenty-seven litre displacement to achieve...1000hp.

*sad trombone noise*

CyclopsRock t1_iuh776k wrote on October 31, 2022 at 9:06 AM

I don't suppose many cars could drive at their full BHP until their tank was empty, though, so it's sort of comparing apples to oranges.

rosen380 t1_iuhebwo wrote on October 31, 2022 at 10:48 AM

I dont know about many cars, but in 1990 they ran a mostly stock Corvette ZR1 for 24 hours averaging >170MPH, setting some auto endurance records. And the car was so worn out at that point, that they continued on for almost 5 more hours

Micromashington OP t1_iuidpg1 wrote on October 31, 2022 at 3:46 PM

I think I’ve heard that Bugatti ran a veyron at top speed and it drank itself empty in about 8 minutes