Not sure Steven is qualified to do the comparison.. given the tiger has not hit the road yet!
As for the twin DCOEs they actually do wake an alpine engine up, especially if they are used in combination with head mods and cam. The head mod you are talking about Gene is probably the Vizard mod, lowers compressio but increases flow. Combustion chamber mods, and working of the intake and exhaust ports does a fair bit for the rootes alloy heads, makes them smoother and more powerful. As for the DCOE's.. well they can increase the output by almost 10% alone.. that said,, that's only about 8.5 BHP!
On the comparison side, i have spoken about this many times. I have owned both now fora while (alpine since 1996 and tiger since 2006, and driving alpines since 1994) My alpine has twin DCOE's, head mods, cam, flat tops, electronic ignition, gas adjustable shocks front and back. Tiger has 340hp crate motor, headers, elec ignition, uprated springs, shocks, swaybars, brakes.
I live in the city and I can say that in city driving through twisty side streets and roundabouts traffic islands the alpine is more fun, it turns in so much better and more importantly.. you can really DRIVE the car. You have to used the gears in the alpine, rev it to keep it moving along and keep momentum up in the corners so you can have a ball in it. You really use the gearbox. In the Tiger if you rev it out.. you are breaking the speed limit and it doesn't handle nearly as nicely. Also the stock CR box leave the 1 st gear so tall that it takes the fun on the run.. great on a racetrack.. not so much on the street.
Now.. thats not to say i dont love the tiger.. when there is a gap in traffic.. a nice freeway on ramp or the opportunity to take it on the track it is magic.. the power and push it has s amazing.. also while the alpine is great fun in the hills, the tigers torque allows it to slingshot out of corners up hills.. never fails to bring a smile.
They are very different cars, the alpine is more fun more of the time around town.. but you forgive the Tiger for all its shortcomings when you get the chance to sink the right foot.. or trundle along using all the torque.
