Corvette Z06 vs. BMW M5...engine comparo

[baddabang]

I have to agree with coventry on this one, I mean the Bimmer has won enough awards to prove its merit

Super!

But what does that mean really? Thats it's more technologically advanced? All that crap does is adds weight and makes things more expensive. Plus its more gadgets to screw up someday.

[Coventrysucks]

Yet the Vette gets a better mpg rating than the Bimmer.

The fuel consumption figures published (for the car, not the engine) are derived by "recreating" a set program of driving conditions - various periods at various speeds.

The speed of a car is determined by the tractive force at the wheels being sufficient to equal the amount of resistance on the car due to aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance to the tyres, and, on an incline, gravity.

The tractive force delivered to the wheels is a function of gearing, and therefore it is perfectly possible that a car fitted with an efficient engine but less-than-optimum gearing could return a worse fuel consumption figure than a car fitted with a more inefficient engine, but more favourable gearing.

ignorance is bliss?

Oh, what a surprise!

Ask the Legend "What". He has all the info.

The "legend" may become just that if he isn't careful. As well as "all the info", he has a prior record.

[-What-]

S85 (M5), undoubtly!!...less weight...

Well...

The Corvette's LS7 is lighter.
LS7: 458 lbs. or 209 kgs.

M5: 529 lbs. or 240 kgs.

Slicks where did you find the S85B50 weight? I looked everywhere

Ask the Legend "What". He has all the info.

[NSXType-R]

I like the M5's engine. No idea why though.

Really, BMW should come up with a new mid-engined sports car. How heavy is the M6 anyway? Personally, the 6 series is a good looker, but looks slightly inflated. It gives the impression of being fat.

Call it the M1.

[Slicks]

O rly? Theoretically your wrong, in this case anyway

Slicks where did you find the S85B50 weight? I looked everywhere

There are quite a few links out there:
http://www.vrchlabi.cz/e30/ruzne/enginenumber/

[baddabang]

Ask the Legend "What". He has all the info.

Ok let me ask the "Legend". Does Raw Evil ring a bell? He did this same exact test on FF. Hes banned now though so don't worry about it

The fuel consumption figures published (for the car, not the engine) are derived by "recreating" a set program of driving conditions - various periods at various speeds.

The speed of a car is determined by the tractive force at the wheels being sufficient to equal the amount of resistance on the car due to aerodynamic drag, rolling resistance to the tyres, and, on an incline, gravity.

The tractive force delivered to the wheels is a function of gearing, and therefore it is perfectly possible that a car fitted with an efficient engine but less-than-optimum gearing could return a worse fuel consumption figure than a car fitted with a more inefficient engine, but more favourable gearing.

I see your point. In fact if you put both engines in the same vehicle then the V10 would probably have a better mph than the LS7.

[Egg Nog]

LS7 is the obvious answer. It's more simple, it's smaller, it's lighter, it's cheaper to buy, it's cheaper to modify, and it allows for greater efficiency.

I'm not going to say anything about fanboys or whatnot, but it's pretty damn clear which engine is superior.

[gregvl52]

I'd say the LS7 too, for the reasons given. But, the BMW's hydroformed dual-walled headers are so much sexier...

[digitalcraft]

The Bimmer engine is better! Don't let pesky facts get in the way, I'm a republican!

hard to argue with that ^.^

[Egg Nog]

I'd say the LS7 too, for the reasons given. But, the BMW's hydroformed dual-walled headers are so much sexier...

Definitely outweighed by the fact that you can grab LG motorsports headers for the LS7 and have an extra 40hp for cheaper than stock BMW parts

[Egg Nog]

I see your point. In fact if you put both engines in the same vehicle then the V10 would probably have a better mph than the LS7.

Not at all, it's the other way around. The LS7's torque allows it to cruise around at extremely low rpms, and thus get great fuel economy. If you put the LS7 in the M5 you'd get a more efficient car, even when compared to the V10 with the "power button" turned off.

[coolieman1220]

although the BMW won awards this year, the LS7 is based on engines that have won lemans and many others races for years so they have proven their worth.

[PerfAdv]

M5, partially based in established biases, then again baises usually have some solid foundation. It's not like GM hasn't tried its hand at high-tech, the Northstar is evidence that GM wanted something some sophisticated than SBC 350 derivatives powering its elite cars. The SBC just wouldn't suit the quite luxury of a Cadillac. The CTS-V gets the SBC but it has a ruffian image. There's the main reason I prefer the M5 engine, it's sophisticated power. The M5 powerplant would be out of place in a pickup truck but it would be right at home mounted midships in a McLaren F1 (II). The LS7 wouldn't be that out of place in a truck and would mostly likely find its way into a Kit-car, not necessarily a bad thing, just it's not supercar material or in other words, world-class.

[carsnut]

M5 V10. The LS7, being american, i assume will probably break down more,so im kinda biased

[Kitdy]

Yes! My vote tipped it 10-9 for BMW. I trust the automotive journalists that praise BMWs engines and also, GM sucks ass.