Pushrod vs Modern VVT DOHC engines? Which is better Really?

Mitch, modern overhead cam engines ALSo have hydraulic tappets ... so whats the difference. Overhead cam is always going to be better at controlling valves.

I understand the argument that Z06Kal stated with the Chevy v8 being physically smaller, etc. My answer to that is why build a v8 in the first place. Surely the VW W8 is more compact than the Chevy engine ... so that argument is irrelevent. You guys need to think outside the v8 is the only engine conumdrum (sp?). Also the argument regarding CoG regarding higher position of the camshafts ... again it does not have to be a v8, design a flat 8 if you are worried about CoG ... and also how much do the rockers and rocker shafts weigh, plus the extra weight of pushrods, etc. surely a heavier engine in the end ... ?

In the end controlling valves by pushrods is a compromise ... and yes we can probably design some clever pushrod system but it will always be a compromise and never as good as controlling the valves via overhead cams.

Thus lets argue if we want to that a compromise is better than the real thing, but it is pointless. The pushrod design came about from sidevalve motors with engineers too scared to relocate the camshaft. Others did like Alfa Romeo ... There is NO argument that pushrods are better than overhead camshaft regarding valve control!

Pete
BTW: The 5.7 Chevy engine has had a number of reliability issues in Australia ... oops.