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How Do They Do It?
I was reading that the new Lexus 4.6 engine produces well over 300 horsepower and has 11.5:1 compression. What I'd like to know from experts is, how??? That compression is in muscle car, Sunoco racing gas territory. My 560SL has maybe 9.5:1 and requires premium as it is. My 380's compression is so low I'm surprised that the engine doesn't come with an emergency hand crank start in front.
It's amazing that they can do this with the worse gas and tougher pollution controls of today.
Basically, how are all of these newer cars doing it? I have some theories:
1. Computer-optimized heads and combustion chambers with minimized "hot spots"?
2. Super-smart engine controls (with really, really extensive sensor coverage and very large ROM maps)?
3. Magic???
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