Diablo wrote:

>>It needs to keep the bearings in alignment and to keep the air out - that's all.

I'd have to say that seems like a vast oversimplification of the role the design of the crankcase and crank play in the reliability, smoothness and yes, power the engine produces.

I see that you agree that ZDZ crankcase manufacturing processes were chosen to cut cost for mass production; exactly what I have suggested from the beginning....and I will restate my assertions that Taurus is not bound by this restriction. Any time an engine, or whatever other type of product, starts being primarily driven by manufacturing cost considerations, either the design, or implementation is going to suffer.

>>The engine still won't run any better or longer than the inexpensive ZDZ.

I'm confused by this statement? It just doesn't seem to make any sense to me. Whether it is Taurus vs. ZDZ, or Mercedes vs. Volkswagen, how the product is designed and built, and what materials are used, certainly will make a difference on how long it lasts and how well it runs. All engines are not created equal.

Bill