Odd that HP didn't increase when they jumped from 2.0L to 2.2L though, which then dropped the HP/L figure down to 109.1


I would be remiss to not mention that the relatively lower budget, larger engines I listed above tend to make far greater torque numbers than the pricier, smaller displacement engines from the first group. And since HP is essentially derived from actual torque measurements, and torque is ultimately what gets you moving, that's an important fact.

As further evidence of what downwardspiral mentioned about forced induction engines, consider the above referenced Honda S2000 naturally aspirated 2.2L engine: 240HP/165lb-ft. compared to the turbocharged 2.4L engine in the Dodge SRT4 and Chrysler PT Cruiser GT. With the simple bolt on of the Stage 1 computer they make the same 240HP but a whopping 265lb-ft of torque, fully 100 more than the much higher revving Honda. With the Mopar Stage 3 upgrade that same engine produces 355HP/365lb-ft or a whopping 148HP/L !

When I had my Miata I always thought it would be a blast to rip the engine out of my PT and drop it into the little roadster. All that torque in that little car, without the added weight of a V8 swap on the front end would have made for one hell of a fast and agile car.