OT: Which Engine Configuration has the Most Power?, Curious Minds Want to Know Options

[Britain Smith]

I was discussing the engine layout of a Porsche motor in a horizontially opposed configuration and the question came up on which engine configuration produced the most HP/liter and why? I know that an advantage of a Porsche motor is that the center of gravity is really low, but does its configuration have any power advantages when compared to say a 90 degree V6 or an straight 6? For simplicity, lets keep the discuss focused on normally aspirated motors. What are you thoughts and why?

-Britain

[messix]

QUOTE (Rgreen914 @ Aug 26 2005, 06:32 PM)

QUOTE (flesburg @ Aug 25 2005, 04:11 PM) ...the rotary, such as used to be used in aircraft was theoretically the design with the least inherent (spelling) vibration... In WWI, the French Nieuport airplane (nick-named "Baby", for its diminutive size) had a radial design engine but it was referred to as a "rotary" because the whole damn engine spun around with the propeller! The exhaust poured out from the cylinders in a cloud and later, a shroud was developed which covered about 75% of the upper area of the engine; this shroud directed the smoke out the bottom of the engine and away from the pilot. These aircraft apparently suffered a number of landing crashes due to excessive vibration combined with their abbreviated length! Film of these aircraft displayed the most bizarre idling qualities and the engines often sounded as if they were intermittently being switched on and off! Some other models of Nieuport aircraft also shared this engine. Ron

that is how these engines were "throttled" by intermitently cutting the ingition. other wise they ran wide open, no throttle like carb. many engines of the day ran like this is aviation.

any one care to elaborate with more expertise?