Scholar engines
Discussion
My car had a Scholar 1.9 with 259bhp in it when I bought it. I believe this was the Carmichael/Walker/Andrews finest moment in building high power K's. I apparently cost £12k to build.
Having come from a 300bhp Vauxhall car, which although powerful was also tractable and torquey, I thought this K would be fine, but the reality was that it was so unbelievably peaky it was undriveable.
Having come from a 300bhp Vauxhall car, which although powerful was also tractable and torquey, I thought this K would be fine, but the reality was that it was so unbelievably peaky it was undriveable.
Err.. That is a long way short of the finest moment...
But that aside, I have a number of issues in recent years with Scholar blocks, the main reason for using them was the increase in capacity available. I have built quite a number of 1900s and some of these have been stonkers, however later ones have exhibited problems with cylinder leakage.
Oily
But that aside, I have a number of issues in recent years with Scholar blocks, the main reason for using them was the increase in capacity available. I have built quite a number of 1900s and some of these have been stonkers, however later ones have exhibited problems with cylinder leakage.
Oily
I would stick to 1800 cc , We had issues with the 82mm Wossner Pistons that came with the 1.9 basically they were a stock item not intended for the job in the end Fred at Omega kindly made me a one off set of 82mm Pistons but i had a very long wait, As for the Liners we were lucky we didn't find any issues but there have been plenty.
I wouldn't be put off you can still build a great 1800 cc Engine circa 220 BHP that will still be very tractable on the road and pleasant to drive, I would agree with Arnie my Engine is just shy of 260 BHP although its a track car and hardly ever used on the road the power delivery is rather manic
I have a 1900 scholar set up. Built by DVA many years back from a vhpd engine, mapped by emerald. It's since been rebuilt by minister when it was due a refresh after a cople of racing seasons. Around 250bhp, reasonably driveable and reliable. Mine has seen serious usage rather than casual road driving and all good.
I'm sanguine about it going pop one day, but it's awesome right now. We didn't race the last year or so, but we were front of field vs the CSR eurocup race cars.
James
I'm sanguine about it going pop one day, but it's awesome right now. We didn't race the last year or so, but we were front of field vs the CSR eurocup race cars.
James
Here is a link to a detailed tech article about Scholar, and their craftmanship. I was not impressed..
(No afiliation to any party involved..)
http://www.ebbt.no/caterham-7-engine-build-rover-k...
(No afiliation to any party involved..)
http://www.ebbt.no/caterham-7-engine-build-rover-k...
I don't know whether anything has changed recently but I've got a Scholar block in my R500 and everything's fine. It's a 1.8 and is extremely tractable with a very predictable power delivery, it just builds and builds through the rev range with a slight step when the cams come in at around 5k. It'll pull smoothly from 25mph in 6th gear if you want it to. The block was done by them a good few years ago (early 00's) by the previous owner who developed the car a long way from standard R500 spec when racing in the JCC endurance championship. It develops over 250bhp on an airbox and quiet can.
TeflonT, your 1.9 engine may have had extreme cams or not been set up very well to give the drivability problems you experienced. I don't know whether the previous owner ever let you drive it but you know my car. It beat K2 RUM at Santa Pod in a fair fight, with timing strips and photos to prove it, PM me if you need a clue ;-)
TeflonT, your 1.9 engine may have had extreme cams or not been set up very well to give the drivability problems you experienced. I don't know whether the previous owner ever let you drive it but you know my car. It beat K2 RUM at Santa Pod in a fair fight, with timing strips and photos to prove it, PM me if you need a clue ;-)
Gatecrasher,
Your car beat my car at Santa pod many time s to the 60'marker, but that was because i 3was running a 3.38 diff. I have some good videos of how Jason got about 50' on me every time and all but once I realed him back in and crossed the line first :-)
I'm just refitting the Scholar engine to my car, having acquired it back from Poweder Puff who never fitted it. It does not have anything welded or screwed to the top of the block, everything is witihn the std casting. Its on 1227 cams but sinmce its first incarnation in the car I've ditched the sequential box (whihc had no gear indicator) and fitted a steering wheel whjihc enables me to see the rev counter. Should be running next weekend so I will report back on the peakiness issue.
Your car beat my car at Santa pod many time s to the 60'marker, but that was because i 3was running a 3.38 diff. I have some good videos of how Jason got about 50' on me every time and all but once I realed him back in and crossed the line first :-)
I'm just refitting the Scholar engine to my car, having acquired it back from Poweder Puff who never fitted it. It does not have anything welded or screwed to the top of the block, everything is witihn the std casting. Its on 1227 cams but sinmce its first incarnation in the car I've ditched the sequential box (whihc had no gear indicator) and fitted a steering wheel whjihc enables me to see the rev counter. Should be running next weekend so I will report back on the peakiness issue.
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