I own a 03' lancer ES (stock) and my friend just got a mazda protoge (stock). both cars have a 2.0 liter inline 4 cylinder engine but his cars got 135 hp while mines got 120. What is the difference between our engines that give him 15 hp stock more than mine.

 

Those are 2 completely different engines, it doesnt matter if its a 2.0 4 cylinder or whatever. There are plenty of 2.0 4 cyl like 50+ more hp stock. It's just how the motor and transmission etc. is made. HP doesnt generally mean the car is faster than our car there are plenty of cars I've ran against with more hp and I beat em.

 

i understand that but what part of their engine is built differently that makes it have more hp.

 

Kaput16, I just traded in my 2003 Mazda Protege 5 for a 2002 Lancer OZ. I had to get my payments down....HOwever....even though my P5 had a little more horsepower, my Lancer is just as fast. I haven't taken the Lancer to the track yet, but it's the same pretty much.

 

I mean just about every piece of the engine is almost in some way, whether it be small or a big difference there is a difference in "generally" every piece of the car. If you are worried by a 10 hp difference I wouldn't sweat it cause you still have weight factors, how the powerband itself is shaped, amount of torque, the list goes on. What is your main worry about the difference anyways? I would take a Lancer over a protege' nearly anyday.

 

Probably all of them. There isn't one set "this is how you make heads" "this is how you make the block" rulebook, so everyone does there own thing. I think it's just the luck of the draw. And I'm sure the ECU has a lot to do with it as well.

 

Something as simple as the compression ratio can account for the difference in hp. Check if the MP's is higher; that would be your explanation right there.

 

Engineering. Simply put, it's how much engineering is behind the engine and how successful that engineering is. Also, the hp might have been sacrificed in order to gain emissions ratings, fuel mileage, maybe even to get a little more torque. The car manufacturers have many reasons for many different decisions and outcomes.

 

yea there's many things that could cause that extra 15 hp..the easiest way to get that extra 15 hp is probably a higher compression ratio tho. but then again, who knows what these engineers can do..

 

Do you know how a 4 stroke engine works, and at least have a rudimentary idea of how your ECU works?

Differences:

Bore x stroke, dual cams vs single came, head design (and therefore flow most likely), intake manifold design, probably exhaust manifold design as well, and fuel map. That's just what I can think of off the top. Displacement does not dictate horsepower. How many different Honda motors have the same displacement and different power outputs? I think there are like 3-4 b18's last I checked.

 

Rember that both manufactures are very capable of making very powerfull vehicles. HP isnt everything. The origional makret of the Lancer (OZ ES LS) is good fuel economy, and nice handeling. its a pratical car for a budget with decent HP. The civic is the same way. The tuners and the aftermarket make it fast. Remember that there is always parts and engine swaps. you basically buy a car for the general looks (general because body kits and parts can personalize it) and an Image. Some people like Coups and some like 4 doors, Some like wagons and some hatch backs. Basically you find what you like and is within your budget and buy it. You can change what you dont like about it.