Some very interesting finds...

[The Phoenix]

Just thought this might be interesting info...

My cascade blue beast's engine as you know - is in bits... awaiting new components...

but the existing components in the engine are:
* Forged Crank
* Billet Camshafts with pressed lobes
* AE Forged Pistons
* Forged Rods

The compression ratio was 10.75:1

There is something very non-standard about this engine - I spoke to a Tuscan racer - and he said the cams should be cast - not billet...

Also - big spanner in the works:
The problem with using a billet flat-plane crank is its sheer weight - which would mean slower revving - MCD Engineering has advised me to use their services to manufacture an F1 grade EN40C crank?
Now I've looked everywhere for info on this material - will it take mega torque? because F1 cars dont produce big torque so their components can be lighter etc... so I dont want to spend (a feckin fortune) on a crank that will snap in two...

[longbow]

All the 1000hp+ Jap cars used Forged bottom ends - does a flat plane crank make much difference?? If its heavy I guess that means you need to get it more finely balanced - its sheer weight shouldn't be an issue????

[Extra 300 Driver]

I was under the impression that flatplane cranks were lighter, that's why they are used.

Ford DFV for one oh and AJPV8

[The Phoenix]

Exactly! Thats one of the advantages of flat-plane, less mass - resulting in quicker revving engine.... but 'solid billet' cranks are heavier than the forgings... but top runners swear by solid billet cranks so I need one too.

I've written off to a number of people - but the problem is, only a few companies can build properly balanced flat-plane cranks.... but those companies dont have experience of high torque output cranks, where as the ones who do - they dont have experience with flat-plane cranks.... sods law... bloody hell.... no wander people just chuck in american V8 engines - but I aint giving up - if I have to bite my tongue and dish out the extra $$$, it'll have to be that way... sadly

[19560]

Extra 300 Driver said:

I was under the impression that flatplane cranks were lighter, that's why they are used. Ford DFV for one oh and AJPV8

They are flat, or in plane cranks; two ways to describe the same thing. I don't see why they should be any lighter just because the cranks are at a different angle to other cars. Info on EN40C here www.eltropuls.de/deutsch/lit1/part1/part1.htm J

[The Phoenix]

Thanks bud! Thats exactly what I was looking for!

So effectively EN40C compared to EN40B is a different hardening process ontop of the material... better for bearing wear and superficial strength...

So in my projects case, it might be a better way forward... mmmmm.... looks like we'll have to use MCD for this after all... shit, they're expensive!!!

[extra 300 Driver]

Have you tried Albon Engineering?

Ilmor?

[Billy_rfc]

Hey have you dropped Crower an email?

www.crower.com

Talked to the guys there a few years back about a crank,rods... and they come back with a good price. Also the x-rate is good so you might get a bargain.

Billy.

[The Phoenix]

Yes tried them all - but getting flat plane cranks built up and properly balanced is not most of these american companies niche... they're definitely the way to go for crossover cranks...
I've got a couple of meetings on monday with an F1 engineering firm and a specialist engineering firm - both british... hopefully will get this sorted next week... did a little more research, theres a company in china that could quite possibly provide me with a very good deal on a superalloy - very light block which could be used to build the crank.... that thing will never break, 20x stronger than the strongest steel... but have to find out how easy it is to machine and if the engineers wont suddenly turn around and quadruple the development costs... light and strong - thats the aim - to produce an even better revving engine at mega torque levels.... boy this engineering stuff is fun....

[19560]

Lotus's own 3.5 V8 used a similar type of crank; it may be worth giving them or the Lotus forum a try.

[The Phoenix]

Thanks, there are a handful of routes here in the UK - problem is - none of them have experience in building cranks designed for 900lb/ft+ engines... and thats where these american outfits excel - but then they're not familiar with flat-plane cranks....
What I really need to do, is get a flat plane designer in the UK and an american company together to get it built...

[ccharlie6]

i worked for swindon racing engines before i went to uni and some of their main business seems to be crankshaft production especially one offs im not sure of different spec metals used but they are very good (and have done some cranks which take high power)

>> Edited by ccharlie6 on Saturday 13th November 16:05