Supercar Engines?
Jun 7, 2011 | 11:54 PM
#21
Banned
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,264
Depends entirely on the car, and as such the person buying it. Guys who buy a Lotus don't care (much) what engine is in it, as that's not the point of the car (at least not until the recent beginning of the end for Lotus). Same deal for Mosler, Noble, Ascari, et al.
When it comes to night club cars, it's not going to sell unless it revs to the moon, has 10+ cylinders, runs on extra virgin olive oil and costs $34,596 to change a spark plug.
Personally I don't care, so long as the engine's character is matched with the car in question. Some things need a big lumpy long stroke V8 that makes enough torque to jump start the planet at 1,500 rpm. Other things need a tiny four banger that revs until the valves pop out and dance on the hood. Others still need enough boost to run air tools.
Were I building something today I'd probably do something silly like a V or H configuration small displacement 16 cyl like BRM did back in the 50s or a large flat 10-14 cyl. If you're going to build an engine, don't be like the other kids.
When it comes to night club cars, it's not going to sell unless it revs to the moon, has 10+ cylinders, runs on extra virgin olive oil and costs $34,596 to change a spark plug.
Personally I don't care, so long as the engine's character is matched with the car in question. Some things need a big lumpy long stroke V8 that makes enough torque to jump start the planet at 1,500 rpm. Other things need a tiny four banger that revs until the valves pop out and dance on the hood. Others still need enough boost to run air tools.
Were I building something today I'd probably do something silly like a V or H configuration small displacement 16 cyl like BRM did back in the 50s or a large flat 10-14 cyl. If you're going to build an engine, don't be like the other kids.
Jun 8, 2011 | 03:37 AM
#22
Teamspeed Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,514
From: San Francisco
HP is easy - you can reinforce the engine & turbo the hell out of it.
i think a proper 'supercar' should utilize the best technology of the day - something that performs at the 95+% percentile & incorporate a bit of unnecessariness - just because it can.
- chuck
i think a proper 'supercar' should utilize the best technology of the day - something that performs at the 95+% percentile & incorporate a bit of unnecessariness - just because it can.
- chuck
Jun 8, 2011 | 06:07 AM
#23
Teamspeed Member
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 219
I agree completely. The 5.4 is an awesome engine capable of making huge power numbers. This is exactly what I am doing with my Ultima GTR build. 5.4 liter Ford twin turbo V8 built by Heffner.
Jun 8, 2011 | 08:55 AM
#24
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 527
I remember once reading early rumours about the Maybachs that the M-B was considering bolting two V12s together to make a V24. Maybe they would actually sell a few if they had that powerplant!
Jun 9, 2011 | 09:27 AM
#27
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 527
Love how the cam covers mimic the look of the 1930's original Cadillac V16...
The year Cadillac was showing the Sixteen at the Chicago Auto Show, they also had a separate V16 engine on a display stand, that you could literally put your hands on. I spent quite some time examining that engine very closely, and I tell you that thing was production ready. All they needed was a green light. Oh, what might have been!
The year Cadillac was showing the Sixteen at the Chicago Auto Show, they also had a separate V16 engine on a display stand, that you could literally put your hands on. I spent quite some time examining that engine very closely, and I tell you that thing was production ready. All they needed was a green light. Oh, what might have been!
Jun 9, 2011 | 08:18 PM
#28
This won't end well
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 5,520
From: Living rent free in your head
Love how the cam covers mimic the look of the 1930's original Cadillac V16...
The year Cadillac was showing the Sixteen at the Chicago Auto Show, they also had a separate V16 engine on a display stand, that you could literally put your hands on. I spent quite some time examining that engine very closely, and I tell you that thing was production ready. All they needed was a green light. Oh, what might have been!
The year Cadillac was showing the Sixteen at the Chicago Auto Show, they also had a separate V16 engine on a display stand, that you could literally put your hands on. I spent quite some time examining that engine very closely, and I tell you that thing was production ready. All they needed was a green light. Oh, what might have been!
Jun 13, 2011 | 12:13 AM
#29
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 311
From: Flagstaff, Arizona
That is going to be a pretty sweet Ultima.
What are your thoughts on Underground Racing? I don't know a whole lot but I am skeptical about a brand that seemed to pop up from nowhere building 1000-1500hp cars with short development time. After seeing how Heffner always spent time developing cars properly before selling them to assure reliability with power, I don't trust UGR's car's reliability. Have you considered them?
Jun 13, 2011 | 06:46 AM
#30
Teamspeed Senior Member
Joined: Nov 2010
Posts: 624
Very cool picture!
There is offcourse a big fan in the front (left side) of the engine for cooling, That's why the exhaust has some less hot (more red, less yellow) parts there were the air flows by.
There is offcourse a big fan in the front (left side) of the engine for cooling, That's why the exhaust has some less hot (more red, less yellow) parts there were the air flows by.