Canbus is it vaible to use a modern V8 in a race application

[P4racer]

Here's the question:

I want to try and run a modern RS6 V8 twin turbo motor in an LMP car.
I am told that the CANBUS complexities are so great that I am better off buying an older motor and building that to the spec I want.

I realise CANBUS talks to a number of ECUS and between them they make all manner of decisions. I believe I only need to an ECU to control the VVT. (That I need an oil change is not of interest.) driving the VVT could be done on a dyno.

Has anyone done the CANBUS route? If so, is this a nightmare? Or to whom should I talk?

With thanks yours -Luddite

[stevieturbo]

P4racer said:

Here's the question:

I want to try and run a modern RS6 V8 twin turbo motor in an LMP car.
I am told that the CANBUS complexities are so great that I am better off buying an older motor and building that to the spec I want.

I realise CANBUS talks to a number of ECUS and between them they make all manner of decisions. I believe I only need to an ECU to control the VVT. (That I need an oil change is not of interest.) driving the VVT could be done on a dyno.

Has anyone done the CANBUS route? If so, is this a nightmare? Or to whom should I talk?

With thanks yours -Luddite

You're all over the place.

The basic engine will not need CAN to run, you could wire any suitable ecu to it as a standalone, with no CAN.

As to whether there is anything on the car that requires CAN....no idea, you don't mention any details.

So exactly where or what do you think is on the engine that 100% necessitates CAN ? Or what is on the car that needs it ? Or is there nothing ?

Although CAN can be handy to reduce overall wiring.

And as always...what is your budget ?

But these days, choices of engines are almost endless, as well as transmissions.....a lot boils down to budget, packaging, driver needs etc etc

[P4racer]

as I said: Luddite. My knowledge stammers after about 1974. By 2008, I draw to a complete halt. I thank you in advance for your forebarance.

As far as I can tell, a post 2008 Audi V8 twin-turbo produces circa 600 horse. It seems a lot of engine for the power and not a huge budget to buy.

So, given the confident tone of your reply, I assume you have managed to run a modern (post 2008 in this case) motor in an application outside the original car.

Gearbox I can cope with.

No, there is nothing else on the car that needs canbus.

What ECU should I used to run this motor?

Who would be a good person to set this up?

Does that make matters clearer?

[s p a c e m a n]

With regards to picking an ecu it is best in my opinion to find the best rated tuner close enough to where you live and ask them what they prefer. It's pointless picking a management system that you have to travel 200 miles each time you need some work done, things can be done remotely but nothing beats having someone sitting in the car

[anonymous-user]

Run a modern motor with a decent aftermarket ecu and you're sorted. The cost you'll shell out to get the CAN working would be several times the cost of just buying a suitable ECU and getting it mapped properly......

[stevieturbo]

P4racer said:

as I said: Luddite. My knowledge stammers after about 1974. By 2008, I draw to a complete halt. I thank you in advance for your forebarance.

As far as I can tell, a post 2008 Audi V8 twin-turbo produces circa 600 horse. It seems a lot of engine for the power and not a huge budget to buy.

So, given the confident tone of your reply, I assume you have managed to run a modern (post 2008 in this case) motor in an application outside the original car.

Gearbox I can cope with.

No, there is nothing else on the car that needs canbus.

What ECU should I used to run this motor?

Who would be a good person to set this up?

Does that make matters clearer?

Pick your tuner first, then the ecu they are happy to give you the best result with...within your budget.

I would recommend Syvecs/Life Racing though, and Romain is very experienced at such things.

https://racecal.co.uk/

Your profile suggests you are in London.

MB Automotive, Torque Developments, Brands Hatch Performance, would be some other options on the Syvecs dealer list.
Or call Life Racing to see who they recommend from their range ( they're effectively same ecu's ).

Although there will be many cheaper ecu's that can run the engine alone, just depends what you want above the basics, and what sort of logging abilities, engine safeties etc etc

Edited by stevieturbo on Monday 8th February 19:53

[SturdyHSV]

I don't know what the RS6 Twin Turbo V8s cost, I found one on ebay that was £10,800 so I'm assuming that's roughly the budget?

For simplicity (reliability?), packaging and cheapness of aftermarket options and support, why not go big NA V8?

https://www.partsworldperformance.com/chevrolet-ls...

Brand new and 620hp NA, would be willing to bet it'd last longer than a used RS6 road engine on track. You could even stick a carb on it and stick with 1974 technology

The LSA is also in budget if you want easy power via boost

https://www.partsworldperformance.com/lsa-supercha...

That could easily be taken above 600hp, whilst still having the simplicity / packaging benefits of a pushrod V8.

Just an alternative suggestion, it's not like the Corvettes were a disaster at Le Mans

[P4racer]

I'm looking into an American engine but I'm afraid, it then smacks of Ultima/kitcar. Etc. The Speed 8 did very nicely with the RS6 motor as a base. It's a lot of well-developed motor, and given a dry sump, I don't think it will greatly suffer from life at the circuit.

On the subject of controlling the thing. There is a lot of good advice here and I will take up on it. Thank you. Especially to those polite enough to coach their advice in a way that a Luddite can follow.