patfromigh
Well-known member
The A-Series V8 was introduced on Plymouth models in 1956. The basic architecture of the engine block using a 90 degree V with a 4.46 inch bore spacing even continues today on the Generation-III Hemi engines. (The change over to the Hemi raised both the deck height and cam centerline on the block design.) The point I'm trying to make is that the same block architecture of the 1956 A-engine continued on through the LA small block engines, the pickup truck 3.9 V6, the Magnum engine series, and a V10. This V8 architecture started out with semi-hemi polysherical heads, then to the wedge combustion chamber heads introduced with the LA engines. Wedge heads continued for 3 decades from the 273 cubic inch LA engine in 1964 until the final Magnum 318 in 2003. The same block architecture now continues on with "Hemi" heads using double rocker arms. The combustion chamber is surprising close to the poly heads of the single rocker arm A-engine of 1956. The two spark plugs per cylinder found in the latest Hemi is a major difference from the old Poly.
The reason I'm bringing this up is to first of recognize the long service history of this basic block design and then also to speculate on its future. I'm of the opinion the next V8 will move on from this block design. The recent introduction of the four cylinder GME EVO engine with the TJI combustion chamber demonstrates it may be time to move on from the older engine block architecture. First, I don't think a pushrod design is practical for the TJI setup. Second, the old block architecture doesn't allow for efficient high production of an aluminum block. There were the aluminum Viper V10 and some aluminum Hemi crate motors, but none of those engines were mass produced.
I'm not saying the V8 will go away. Again this is my opinion, the next V8 will be closer in design to the 4.7L PowerTech V8 than the current V8 engines now used. The 4.7 is an OHC design with a 4.09 inch bore spacing. This bore spacing is very close to the Maserati V6 which also uses the TJI setup. Now the Alfa Romeo and Maserati V6 engines, along with the Ferrari V8, all use the same block architecture, but these engines are not related in any way to the 4.7L Powertech V8. I might add that the PowerTech has a cast iron block. It is my hope that any new V8 design using an aluminum block, and that the designers would study the problems encountered with the Cadillac Northstar and not repeat those same mistakes.
This thread is for speculation, any speculation I have stated is strictly my own opinion.
The reason I'm bringing this up is to first of recognize the long service history of this basic block design and then also to speculate on its future. I'm of the opinion the next V8 will move on from this block design. The recent introduction of the four cylinder GME EVO engine with the TJI combustion chamber demonstrates it may be time to move on from the older engine block architecture. First, I don't think a pushrod design is practical for the TJI setup. Second, the old block architecture doesn't allow for efficient high production of an aluminum block. There were the aluminum Viper V10 and some aluminum Hemi crate motors, but none of those engines were mass produced.
I'm not saying the V8 will go away. Again this is my opinion, the next V8 will be closer in design to the 4.7L PowerTech V8 than the current V8 engines now used. The 4.7 is an OHC design with a 4.09 inch bore spacing. This bore spacing is very close to the Maserati V6 which also uses the TJI setup. Now the Alfa Romeo and Maserati V6 engines, along with the Ferrari V8, all use the same block architecture, but these engines are not related in any way to the 4.7L Powertech V8. I might add that the PowerTech has a cast iron block. It is my hope that any new V8 design using an aluminum block, and that the designers would study the problems encountered with the Cadillac Northstar and not repeat those same mistakes.
This thread is for speculation, any speculation I have stated is strictly my own opinion.