The guys over at w-body seem to think I'm insane.

How reliable is a Honda Civic Si in the long term. My main question is regarding to redline. The Si redlines at 8000 RPM, and you need to stay around that area to stay in the peak of your powerband. I'm having a hard time believing that an engine with an 8000 rpm redline and the consequently stiffer valvesprings will not suffer significantly higher valvetrain wear (even if you're just considering camshafts), than an engine with a lower RPM redline.

Any thoughts? Take an L67 for example and drive that hard for 150k miles, then do the same with a Civic Si engine for 150k miles, take them apart, and tell me which one would have more valvetrain wear.

The L67 would only have less wear because it'* such a low-friction and highly awesome engine. That, and "driving hard" is done in the low RPM range. I don't know who spends 150,000 miles driving hard, but that guy (or gal) is my hero! However, the Honda probably would need fewer parts serviced.

I drove my L27 very hard for the 163k miles I owned it, till it blew a lifter, scored a cam, and I decided to get an engine swap with an L67 done instead of spending $500 for a new cam and new lifters.

You are my hero!

Also, Honda ricers beat on their cars constantly. I have seen countless cold engine burnouts in parking lots. Are there Honda forum polls on how long their cars last?

The thing is, Honda engines are very reliable as a whole, so long as they're not modified.

The Civic Si engine however is as a different story. The cams and rollers are made out of the same material. I can't see revving something at 8000 RPM being particularly reliable long term compared to revving a similar engine at 6500. I just wanted to know what the actual facts were if anyone knew anything about these cars.

One of the reasons a Si engine can rev higher and longer is because it has over head cams. Alot less valve train weight then a push rod (L**) engine. Stiffer valve springs can be better for there own life which is why when you cam or put rockers in an engine the springs sound be changed to a higher poundage.

The thing is every engine has it'* nics and nacks. The engine is only as strong as it'* weakest points. With the GM 3.8'* it'* the Gaskets. Mopar 3.x'* it'* the crappy oil system. Toyota 2.2'* leak like sieves. Boxer engines get oil deprivation in the higher RPM ranges where their power bands are.

What I'm getting at is you really can't compare completely different engines. Especially 4'* 6'* and 8'*.

4'* are high, quick revving
6'* even split up between inline and V'* each having their abilities but share high torque
8'* big bang at low RPM'* to get going

Every engine should be apperitated for what they are. I mean we do have favorites. 3.8'* (and our GXP budd'* 4.6'*) are bad engines to pick as your team.

All I'm saying is I went way off course.:???: