That engine S70 was also used in 850csi in a detuned version and the core of it is two s50 (E36 M3 engine) 6 sylinder engines bolted in V form.
So, it had roots but fine tuned for the F1.

 

Sorry to go off topic, but I've read that the S50's first cylinder runs leaner then the rest.

In the MacF1 it seems to be doing the opposite, unless its just just to do with the makeup of the exhaust manifold.

 

It is preferable that they at least modify the engine. I am fine with cars like Mosler using a Chevy. It is a "cheap" supercar with all the design in the body and chassis.
But if a million $ car like the Koenigsegg used a stock Ford it wouldn't be special enough. (Koenigsegg used to and since then they have redesigned it a bit and it is manufactured in Europe for them)
SSC used a Chevy as the basis but it was completely redesigned. And this is where I disagree with PMac. I love supercars that have an engine that does everything the others do (or 1287hp in this case) but your average owner could work on it in his garage. It isn't overly complex just to be overly complex.


So I guess my conclusion would be, sourcing an engine is fine for newer supercars or "cheaper" (<250k?) supercars. If it is very expensive, it better be an already exotic engine you are sourcing, or heavily modified.

 

What more mainstream engines would you adapt for a supercar today?

 

bmw v8 twin turbo would be engine of my choice if i engineered a new supercar.

650 hp easy.

 

If I was building a supercar I would use an LS7. Extremely durable and bulletproof. Plus it will give you huge initial hp and torque numbers. I have seen guys successfully put 1000HP+ on the block and it handles it. The LS7 is a brute. The C6.R ran a modified, purpose built LS7. That would go along the lines of an exotic company using it. They would massage it and do their work to it just as Pratt and Miller did. In the 5 years Corvette Racing used the LS7.R, they never had an engine failure. Pretty damn impressive. Nowadays there are soooo many great engines though.

 

Chevy LS is always a great choice for power, torque and reliability. Unfortunately it is getting to the point where too many people are finding out how great it is and starting to use it in their exotics.

I think I would have to go with the 5.4L V8 from the Ford GT. On stock internals those can make 1500hp. A 5.4 twin turbo'd by Heffners Performance would make an awesome supercar engine. And nobody has done it. (besides Ford of course)

 

Anything American is bulletproof because it has been tested and used in numerous applications.

 

If I was doing a car like a Lotus Elise/Exige, I see lots of good options.

A Mazda Rotary, modified quite a bit, would be unique and cool. Light and semi-powerful. Over 300hp modified. ~250lbs 2/o transmission I believe.

The Hartley H1 V8 is small, light and powerful. High revving so best used for track oriented cars. Reliability is uncertain at this point. 500hp, 300lbs, including transmission.

A Mercury 300XS, 2-stroke outboard would be very, very unique. It is also very reliable(boats beat up engines harder) so some upgrades would work fine. Also very light and probably very fuel efficient. Probably lighter than the Hartley.

My other option would be the new KMV4 from Motus Motorcycles. Available to at least 1850cc, built like a Chevy LS, built by the guys who make the Chevy LS7.R(see comment above). ~175hp but capable of 300+(reliably) on boost. ~200lbs, including transmission.

 

the F1's v12 NA engine made 627. Although it was a v12... Twin turbo'd F1 could probably make 1500+ (guessing - UGR can make a mid 500 HP Gallardo get around that)