Safe engines

[FuzzyPanda]

It's quite well known that Fiat's FIRE engines are "safe" and won't self-destruct should the timing belt snap. But is making an engine "safe" a compromise on other attributes? I was wondering this a few days ago and thought if engines can be made "safe" then why aren't they all?

 

[missey]

I was wondering the same thing and was told...What you gain by a safe engine you lose in performance

 

[Ransoman]

Presumably a "safe" engine would typically have small (8) valves and larger combustion chambers. as a result, less power.

 

[Bushboy]

that explains why other companies engine of similar capacity generaly have alot more power

 

[sediciRich]

if you make an engine with high compression long duration or high lift cams then they will all run the valve very close to the piston, in assembling a performance engine a decent builder will do a dry build and establish the minimum valve to piston clearance. Depending on the mentioned factors and combustion chamber shape then the piston valve clearance could be always available i.e. the piston cannot hit the valve, any such engine will have a large comb. chamber or very little cam lift like the mass production engine such as the lower FIRE's.

rich