Most reliable powerfull engine for the weight ?
Discussion
Just out of interest, what engine (tuned or standard), is the most reliable for the weight and power output ? In other words what engine has the best power for weight and is it reliable ? BTW, I am starting to think about aircraft engines and was wondering about all the different makes of aircraft engines. Some kind of engine that will cope with a constant maximum load, at highish revs for several hours. I supose that would also mean that a choice of engine with good thermal characteristics would be benificial.
Any thoughts ?
Regards
John S
Any thoughts ?
Regards
John S
The American car V8 that are currently on the market are exceptional .. can shut down individual cylinders, run with no coolant etc etc .. however my favoured engine of choice in the real world is the Lexus V8. It's becoming pretty much the industry standard in the off-road world too with people like milner conversions using it in their bespoke off road racers.
John_S4x4 said:
Just out of interest, what engine (tuned or standard), is the most reliable for the weight and power output ? In other words what engine has the best power for weight and is it reliable ? BTW, I am starting to think about aircraft engines and was wondering about all the different makes of aircraft engines. Some kind of engine that will cope with a constant maximum load, at highish revs for several hours. I supose that would also mean that a choice of engine with good thermal characteristics would be benificial.
Any thoughts ?
Regards
John S
plane engines are good but they won't handle rapid oscillations in rpm they prefer to be accelerated smoothly and slowly and left, so probably ideal with something like a cvt transmission but you may also have severe cooling problems without a good enough airflow over the engine
>> Edited by omitchell on Saturday 22 January 10:59
Lexus V8 is defo a good one, but it has lack of capacity against it
The LS6 engine is 5.7, all alloy, and makes a very very easy 400bhp400lbft from the factory.
My vote would go there. Taking this closer to 450bhp is also very easy and requires very little by way of modifications.
http://popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/chevrolet/smallblock/0503em_ls6/
Or there is the Ford Cobra Engine, 4.6 32v V8. Not as compact as the others being a multivalve, and doesnt create as much power as the LS6 n/a, but does work well when blown.
The LS6 engine is 5.7, all alloy, and makes a very very easy 400bhp400lbft from the factory.
My vote would go there. Taking this closer to 450bhp is also very easy and requires very little by way of modifications.
http://popularhotrodding.com/enginemasters/articles/chevrolet/smallblock/0503em_ls6/
Or there is the Ford Cobra Engine, 4.6 32v V8. Not as compact as the others being a multivalve, and doesnt create as much power as the LS6 n/a, but does work well when blown.
I guess it depends on what sort of output you're looking for.
I know from my interest in autogyros that most of the older Bensens have the 1600 beetle engine. Crickets are of a similar size but more modern and generally have a Rotaxes. The bigger gyros are using the Subaru 2.?L 16v.
The older gyros had crude electronic ignition if you were lucky, but the newer ones are using some of the really nice aftermarket programmable ECU's that are now available.
I know from my interest in autogyros that most of the older Bensens have the 1600 beetle engine. Crickets are of a similar size but more modern and generally have a Rotaxes. The bigger gyros are using the Subaru 2.?L 16v.
The older gyros had crude electronic ignition if you were lucky, but the newer ones are using some of the really nice aftermarket programmable ECU's that are now available.
Bike engines have got to be a consideration, esp. if you turbo them...
Alternatively, how much does one of those bike-type V8's cost??? (i.e. 2 bike 4-pot blocks on a common crank)
But size for size, anything with an alloy block, if you're going to be modifying it. If it's a standard lump you're looking for, go Japanese:-
Mitsi 2.0T 4-pot from the Evo
Toyota / Nissan 3.0TT 6's from Supra/Skyline
Both are unburstable and you just need to turn the wick up.
Alternatively, how much does one of those bike-type V8's cost??? (i.e. 2 bike 4-pot blocks on a common crank)
But size for size, anything with an alloy block, if you're going to be modifying it. If it's a standard lump you're looking for, go Japanese:-
Mitsi 2.0T 4-pot from the Evo
Toyota / Nissan 3.0TT 6's from Supra/Skyline
Both are unburstable and you just need to turn the wick up.
Evos, Supras and Skylines are all Iron blocks.
Bike engines are good, but only in an extremely light chassis. They have no torque, so are useless anywhere else.
Subarus are actually quite good, but I'd still go for a V8.
Although something like a Porsche Flat 6 turbo would be an extremely good option, albeit expensive.
Bike engines are good, but only in an extremely light chassis. They have no torque, so are useless anywhere else.
Subarus are actually quite good, but I'd still go for a V8.
Although something like a Porsche Flat 6 turbo would be an extremely good option, albeit expensive.
GreenV8S said:
people like milner conversions using it in their bespoke off road racers.
Small world! Haven't seen Trevor for years, how do you come to know him?
I don't know Trevor, but Peter who works on my estate used to work for them .. he's a clever chappie and worked for panther cars, he designed the Solo dash and now does his own off road racers. Currently he's doing a one-off for evaluation for manufacture out in south africa of all places. Full body and chassis in stainless .. looks fanbleedingtastic
It's funny you should mention the V8 option. On the slightly tangential theme of autogyros, I once had the opportunity to wander around Ken Wallis's hanger.
For the uninitiated he's the guy flying the Gyro in the bond movie. He hold's (held?) both the world altitude and speed records for autogyros.
His nicest gyros have very old and small air cooled Rolls Royce piston engines. I would think that one of those would be perfect, but I'd bet you wouldn't get one for love or money.
Anyway, since he designs builds and tests all of his gyros his hanger has a variety of engines in it. They skirt the periphery. Each has a little paper tag tied to it. The paper tag has a a load of figures on it. But at the bottom each says either "Suitable for flight" or "Not suitable for flight"!
I don't know anything about it, but the Rover V8 was marked as suitable!!!!
Andy.
For the uninitiated he's the guy flying the Gyro in the bond movie. He hold's (held?) both the world altitude and speed records for autogyros.
His nicest gyros have very old and small air cooled Rolls Royce piston engines. I would think that one of those would be perfect, but I'd bet you wouldn't get one for love or money.
Anyway, since he designs builds and tests all of his gyros his hanger has a variety of engines in it. They skirt the periphery. Each has a little paper tag tied to it. The paper tag has a a load of figures on it. But at the bottom each says either "Suitable for flight" or "Not suitable for flight"!
I don't know anything about it, but the Rover V8 was marked as suitable!!!!
Andy.
I had another thought actually......
It is still possible to get the old jet starters. I believe that Plessey Dyanmics used to make a turbojet used for starting F-4 Phantoms.
I don't know how reliable it would be for several hours continuous, but I'd say that would depend on how hard you work it.
It's nice and small though. Fits into a large shoebox, whatever the power to weight I think it'd have to be reasonable.
It is still possible to get the old jet starters. I believe that Plessey Dyanmics used to make a turbojet used for starting F-4 Phantoms.
I don't know how reliable it would be for several hours continuous, but I'd say that would depend on how hard you work it.
It's nice and small though. Fits into a large shoebox, whatever the power to weight I think it'd have to be reasonable.
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