|
OK, I am going to pull rank on anyone who has less experience than myself with BOTH the 420A and 4G63. With all due respect to other opinions, unless they are based upon actual experience, they may suffer from skewed or otherwise inaccurate (and in many cases exaggerated) information.
We have been developing the 420A in several applications now since 1998. The engine is quite sound when enhanced with better con rods and pistons; frankly, with just those mods, we have seen no issues up to 700 HP (even more may be possible, but I will not claim it until we have done it).
Comparing the engine with the 4G63 is a tricky proposition, as there is no effective direct comparison basis. Both have a lot to offer. One is plentiful, one is not, one car is lighter than the other, AWD is only available with 4G63, etc. As an analogy, consider: does the fact that only certain Honda/Acura models contain the coveted B18 engine mean that all of the other engines Honda offers are therefore not desirable? Of course not! Sure, the B18 may offer the best overall package, but it's rare, so the Honda market does not concern itself with arguments about the lesser nature of other Honda engines...they just have fun building them up too! It sure has not stopped everyone and his brother from building up Civics, and in a similar vein, folks considering 420A's should not be shut down. I think they shoud be told the similar thing an aspiring Civic owner might hear: "Well, the hottest thing going is a B18 car, but if you can't do that right now, there are many other good alternatives."
I feel the most effective approach is to just avoid the 420A/4G63 comparison altogether. As I mention above, a credible direct comparison is largely impossible, and this topic typically just leads to pissing matches. I suggest we avoid the bluster and posturing, and simply concentrate instead on the strong points of the 420A cars. As in every other venture, beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and what in this world is more beautiful than the right to make your own choice?
That being said, here are what we have found to be strong points of the 420A Diamond Star. Taken as a whole, they offer an effective rationale for building up such a car:
Car itself:
Low cost of car
Low cost for used driveline components as well as several engine and transmission options (due to large production numbers of this car and other models that use this engine and transmission)
Low cost to insure
Low curb weight (our 98 RS weighed 2750 pounds stock)
Plentiful, therefore many choices in color, trim, etc, and widely available
Engine:
Very durable, quite modern design with bedplate lower end
Extremely capable of hi HP with straightforward internal mods
Speed density type EFI allows lots of choices in upgrade
A 2.4 liter version of the engine is available and can be readily installed
Driveline:
Transmission virtually indestructible with a Quaife installed. Even a stock differential held up to three years of 11 and 12 second passes along with tens of thousands of miles on the street in our RS.
Different gear ratios readily available
Looks:
Makes a Civic look like a Renault LeCar
Definitely gets attention when modded
Do these points make it a BETTER choice than a 4G63? By no means. It is simply ANOTHER choice, which makes livin' in the USA such a blast. Be happy we don't live in Czechoslovakia, where there is no choice, where you'll be damned glad to save for years just to buy a rusty Skoda!
__________________
Bill Hahn Jr.
|
