Regarding the elegant engineering solution...
On the subject of efficiency and part plurality, OHV struggles with high RPMs because
it has more moving parts in the valvetrain. I keep telling you: we're not talking about black and white, here.
On the subject of weight, less of it is always good, but the engine isn't the whole car. To address that very argument ("OHV engines are better because they're lighter") I like a little thought experiment I've used before: Take a 3000lbs. car, equal in every way, but with two engine choices; a 5.0L OHV engine, and a 5.0L DOHC engine. The OHV engine weighs 200lbs. and makes 300hp. The DOHC engine has a significant weight disadvantage, weighing over twice as much -- 500lbs. -- but manages 100hp/L, making 500hp.
You've now got a 3200lbs. car with 300hp, and a 3500lbs. car with 500hp. Which is faster? We're dealing with hypotheticals here, so a simple power-to-weight ratio will do.
On the subject of complicated timing arrangements, I've read variable valve timing with OHV is not easy (ie. complicated). Although it's been done over at GM, their system can't withstand hard driving, and is pretty much limited to SUVs and automatic transmissions (auto because engine RPM with a manual is too "unpredictable"). Another disadvantage-for-an-advantage. It should start becoming clear why cars aren't all OHV
or all OHC.
The whole "bulk of package" advantage makes LSx engines and other OHVs a convenient choice for engine swaps, but that's about it; an engine is always designed or carefully selected for its application. Hell, BMW still uses DOHC inline-6s in their smallest car. And for center of gravity concerns, I'd personally take a boxer engine over any V.
The reason you don't see it on most imports is because most imports use straight engines (6 or more commonly 4). It makes no sense NOT to use OHC with I4s and I6s.
Actually, I6s are quite rare today; Japan has basically given up on it in favor of the DOHC V6. The real reason you don't see OHV on imports is because other countries tax cars based on displacement. And SOHC/DOHC
will perform better (in terms of horsepower) given a certain displacement. This is one place where hp/L truly matters.
Either way, that's not a limitation of displacement. Look at NASCAR, they spin to 10K (or there abouts).
I understand you're not a fan of NASCAR (neither am I), but the engines they use are smaller than the LS7. And obviously designed for a very different set of conditions.
There really IS no replacement for displacement. People say "just turbo it", ok... turbo the bigger disp engine then too. If you throw 20lbs of boost at a 2.0, throw it at a 5.7 and see what you get.
People also love to point out when DOHC engines make the same power as larger OHV engines. Why not put DOHC on the larger engine too? We've all seen DOHC on a 2.0, throw DOHC on a 5.0 and see what you get.
Spoiler: Europe has known the answer for years (in expensive cars, yes, but expensive for a variety of reasons
beyond engine tech), but
Ford is now finding out for themselves.
Thing is, people assume that disp = weight. It doesn't. It hasn't for a long time. And it doesn't = physical size either...
Honestly, it was the Swede's ignorant and utterly baseless remark that set me off, otherwise I'd never have responded.
Though, in the end, I still maintain that it's ricer math, because it provides no worthwhile information. Yet it's hyped and held up as some kind of bragging point.
Fair enough. But if you're going to complain about assumptions like those, it's not fair for you to turn around and assume OHC = inefficient, too much weight, needless complexity, and too bulky.
I understand how
Ecchi-BANZAII!! (c'mon, if you're going to be rudely obvious, we have names here) could have irked you with his post. But
your comments have been just as needlessly dismissive as his was. Each form of valve control has its advantages, disadvantages, and appropriate applications. One happens to favor high-RPM power, another happens to favor low-RPM torque and response, and the other (SOHC) sits somewhere in the middle. That's all.
As for your final comments, we'll have to agree to disagree. But I hope you can see how hp/L might matter to someone who lives where displacement is taxed.