Originally Posted by
fastback
Yes it is the gearing, but the speed at which the motor turns makes a HUGE difference too, as the gearing is tailored to the RPM range of the motor and where the powerband is. Larger displacement/output means less RPM required to get things moving, which is why big V8s can cruise the freeway at 3K RPM on the freeway at 80mph, while we are much higher. I didn't mean to say it has "nothing" to do with gearing.
no, i can have a 4cyl that runs at 2k on the highway, power output and rpm range have more to do with cam profiles than anything else.
the reason a 4 cyl USUALLY has shorter gearing is becuase of them making the bulk of their power up in the high range, but that has to dow ith alot of things, including rotating mass, air restriction, you name it