[LancePearson]

Desdemondic valve operation...and what the W196 looked like...it was supercharged with technology of the day. 290 hp out of a 2.5 liter straight 8 cylinder engine then was a lot. Today more can be wrung out of it than that by far but usually with v6 or v8 architecture of something like 64 to 90 degree v's...puts them in smaller space or behind the driver and ahead of the rear wheels. The limit on power today seems to me that it is not knowledge but money to modify and install. You can get to huge horsepowers any of several ways. I'm looking forward to reading the torque/acceleration discussion. I can tell you the torque in my LS2 410 hp engine with a 4:10 rear end is nothing compared to that of my LT5. Not even close.

The Des. valve arrangement looks like you would go from four cams to six cams to do it which would seem to add complexity and cost...same arguments for sticking with the two valve pushrod engine architecture GM used. However, I wonder what the possible trade offs in benefits are? No one that I saw really said when referring to the Mercedes race car.

Lance