Greg, - no doubt you are enthusiastic abt the TwinCam, and righfully so ! If I may add a few comments ; - modern cam-profiles has done a lot (!) to increase your "momentum" at lower revs, compared to the old Cosworth or BRM profiles of the -60s. I am racing an Elan today with a modern "High lift / "short" duration profile, and the engine is out of a different world compared to what it used to be. It is even quite drivable on the street, although giving you 160 bhp at 7500rpm with FIA-legal valves ; sprint intake / std. exhaust. Having said that, - a 1600 cc four, will never be an equal match for a 5 ltr. V8 , - for natural reasons !
Furthermore, I think it is fair to point out, that just removing you rev-limiter is the shortest way do ruin a Twink ! Don't forget that the bottom is the weakest part of the TC-engine, and above 7000 rpm you really need (!) atleast uprated big-end bolts, a well balanced crank, - or better a steel-crank, weight-balanced pistons, and maybe steel-rods . The std. bottom end, is not safe for higher revs, - that's why Lotus put the limiter in ! For a fact ; - when the limiter was introduced, the number of engine claims dropped to zero at Lotus's.......( - together with the introduction of the 125E rods I must add..... )
But I agree with you in full ; - it is a wonderfull engine !!!
Dag