What makes our engines so underpowered?, Compaired to JDM's and other countries? Options

[Rjb23]

What is it that causes our engines to be so under powered? Is it the ECU's, or what?

[uzthedentist]

i assume its due to fuel, the 100ron rating of jap fuel allows them to run advanced ignition timing, this apparently gives a higher power rating.
Also car companies have to modify cars for each different market. Americans generally prefer softer suspension compared to the europeans according to car manufacturers so they have to modify that. This obviously brings about a problem with higher end sports cars. Youve got to think about the FIA rules of homolgation too for rally cars, there obviously wasnt the demand in the states in the early 90s for a rally derived japanese sports car.

Another thing is that the US has many trade rules that benefit american companies and penalise non american companies.Toyota probably thought at the time after learning lessons from st185 sales, that it wasnt worth going through all the US regulations, on a car that doesnt make them much of a profit anyway.

This post has been edited by uzthedentist: Apr 25, 2004 - 8:30 AM