Radical engine pumps massive power
RPA V8 makes 383 bhp dyno debut
The four day dyno test of Powertec's RPA 2.6 litre V8 (aka ‘Christine’) has been hugely successful. After the equivalent of 30 racing hours, Christine has proven to be attractive, smooth and reliable, but when roused she turns into a wild screaming thing. The maximum power figure recorded over the four days was 383 bhp at 10,000 rpm.
The development programme involved varying the length of the eight primary exhaust pipes (see here, glowing red), trying different induction inlet configurations, varying the plenum chamber size, lengthening and shortening the inlet trumpets, and continually altering the engine management map.
The best run with the twin butterfly system that will be utilised in the SR8 saw a maximum power output of 
372bhp at 9,800 rpm, with 207 ft lbs of torque at 6,800 rpm.
Boss Ted Hurrell was understandably well-pleased, “It is unprecedented that a new engine development programme should go so well. This engine is going to re-write the book. The RPA engine is producing Cosworth DFV power at sensible clubman money. All the signs are that the RPA rebuild costs will be very reasonable, and the time between rebuilds should be over 30 hours.”
“When this development phase is complete, we will look at producing a two litre version, and a highly-tuned version for the hill climb boys. The sky is the limit. I’m expecting a call from Minardi and Jordan any day now!”
More here.
Dakkon said:
Congrats Radical!! Looks very impressive.
Autocar were quoting around 16k when they sell it on its own.
Oh and it fits an elise with only slight modification
Would the Elise chassis be able to handle the power?
I'm not sure, but it would certainly be amusing.
People run 300bhp 1.8T's and i don't think they modify the chassis
The radical is definitley going to fly with it fitted though
Isn't a F1 engine but it's very close, and much more cheap.
Of course, regarding all the differences, between this good example of Fantastic Engineering and the F1 engines.
This is real definition of Good Engineering, performance with "limited" resources (when compared with the F1).
When compared the cost of this engine with a F1 (1/2 million €uros/engine), I prefer this one, without any kind of doubt.
Get more revs of that engine and we will see it.
Congratulations Radical.
www.cyclonepowerltd.co.uk/engine_performance.htm
Will these small hi-revving engines become a trend for the future?
www.conceptcarz.com/folder/vehicle.asp?car_id=291&vehicleTypeID=
dinkel said:
What about this:
www.cyclonepowerltd.co.uk/engine_performance.htm
Will these small hi-revving engines become a trend for the future?
www.conceptcarz.com/folder/vehicle.asp?car_id=291&vehicleTypeID=
A review of 1995 Jimenez Novia W16 in (iirc)performance car many years go. fantastic bit of engineering
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