powerhead conversion to automotive racing use

[jake00not]

I have a lightweight car in need of an engine for drag race use only. An outboard engine sounds like a good replacement. Lightweight, good power to weight ratio, water cooled, high RPM reliable. But . . . . will it work with the crankshaft tilted 90 degrees. will carbs need to to be positioned? fuel injection a better choice? Adapter from crankshaft output to clutch / bellhousing assembly will have to be fabricated. In the late '70's a group from Minnesota tried it for Indy style racing, but fuel comsumption limits halted the development. I saw it run on a road course in 1980 and it did very well for itself. I'm looking for information or a website that addresses this idea. I'd rather not reinvent the wheel if a lot of the problems have already been worked out.

 

[RPJS]

Re: powerhead conversion to automotive racing use

Hi,<br />Why not use Motor Bike engines. A lot of hill climb outfits on this side of the pond use them to great effect. It will save you all the work.

 

[Skinnywater]

Re: powerhead conversion to automotive racing use

For the money/time you'd spend you would be able to buy a all aluminum V8 or 6cyl. Mercedes or BMW and you'd have all your looking for there also.

 

[jake00not]

Re: powerhead conversion to automotive racing use

The upper limit for motor bike engines seems to be around 150 horsepower and most are 4 stroke. complete with cams, valves and a lot of other weight adding components. Same for the Mercedes and BMW engines. A boat run onto the rocks with a destroyed lower unit should have a reasonably priced but servicable power head. Or are they like aircraft engines and ruin the crankshaft when the prop hits dirt?

 

[ehaskins]

Re: powerhead conversion to automotive racing use

Carbs wont work if turned 90 degrees. Unsure of an intake rotating carbs would allow the motor function properly. I guess a Fuel Injected would work<br /><br />Eric

 

[JB]

Re: powerhead conversion to automotive racing use

Ahoy, Jake.<br /><br />Back in the 60s a few of my Kart racing friends built an H Modified sports racer powered by a very modified Merc outboard powerhead. The engine was transverse mounted in the rear, just like an oversize racing Kart.<br /><br />They laid the engine down on its side, rotated the carbs 90* and mounted a sprocket on the crank. That drove a Harley Davidson clutch and 3 speed transmission, which chain drove a live axle.<br /><br />The water pump was driven by the crank, also.<br /><br />Suspension was hydro-lastic, borrowed fom an MG 1100 if I recall correctly. Body was a modified Devin originally intended for a Crosley Hotshot.<br /><br />Ready to race, the machine weighed less than 1000#.<br /><br />I drove it a couple of times. Handled just like a class C Kart and went like stink. <br /><br />Maybe that will give you an idea or two.

 

[clanton]

Re: powerhead conversion to automotive racing use

Look at www.screamandfly.com a poster from NZ has a 235 v6 laid flat to connect to a jet drive, he hand made manifold tubes for carbs. The 3 cylinder Evinrude/Johnson has been used in a gyrocopter. There is also a dune buggy using a merc V6.

 

[Scoop]

Re: powerhead conversion to automotive racing use

Here is a post where one of the people owns a few old Elto powered race cars. Maybe it is a place to start. Unfortunately the picture link is no longer valid. <br /><br /> http://www.aomci.org/askamember/messages/9141.htm

 

[Forktail]

Re: powerhead conversion to automotive racing use

You could try to find a wrecked snowmobile or PWC. The carb position wouldn't have to be modified and you'd have horizontal cranks instead of vertical. Their water circulation/pump system would hook right up to a radiator. Some of these engines are 1000cc and can be modified easily to 250 hp. You could even use the variable clutching from the snowmobile.

 

[jake00not]

Re: powerhead conversion to automotive racing use

Thanks guys. You've given me some good leads.