Engine weight(a little bit different this time)

[nwk00]

It seems like K's weight varies as much as 70kg between different models judging from past discussions.

From this thread http://www.exiges.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=...
- Daveoz - 144kg all in, excluding transmission and all fluids
- George - 95kg VVC engine with alternator and clutch only.
- George - 71kg VHPD 71kg with clutch only.

From this thread
http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=3230&am...
- Dave Andrews - 110kg fully dressed(not sure with transmission or not)
- Simon S - 118kg(assume fully dressed) with transmission




1) So what is the actual weight of the K?
2) Which is the lightest version of the K?
3) What makes that version lighter than the others? Is it the plenum instead of Jenveys? Normal and VHPD head lighter than VVC head?
4) What can be done to make the K lighter? I know there are lighter crank(eliseparts), lighter flywheel, lighter engine mount, lighter exhaust manifold and titanium exhaust, etc What else is there?
5) If i want to build the lightest K, which should i start with? The standard 118hp K?
6) Is a smaller capacity engine always going to be lighter than a bigger one if we compare apples to apples? ie a 1.8l K will always be lighter than a 2l one?
7) What can I do to make the engine more responsive? Common knowledge seems to be lighter flywheel, individual throttle bodies and lighter internals. Anything else?

thanks
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[Gad-Westy]

Can't answer many of your questions but I would say that the places to start would be (in no particular order), ported head, flywheel (could probably lose 5kg+ here alone), Lightweight alternator, lightweight starter motor, machine off any unused castings.

[Scuffers]

rather depemds on what K your starting with...

VVC's are somewhat heavyer with their cam gear and cast ali inlet manifold (I remeber Rover at the time quoting 17Kg's more but I think that's exagerating the difference).

Realistically, I would suggest a bog std K with plastic manifold etc is ~110Kg's dressed.

VVC head is heavier than std due to cam gear etc, VHPD head is slightly heavyier (different valves/seats/springs/followeres/etc).
Inlet manifold wise, plastic is probably the lightest, VVC cast ali one is heavyest, DTH Jenveys are probably lighter than the plenums, but then you have to include the air-box.

Flywheels vary a lot, from 6+Kg's to ~3, then the clutch is not exactly light, that's before you crack the engine open and start fitting light bit's.

[nwk00]

Hi Simon,

in one of your old posts you stated that your engine with transmission is 118kg. But in a cross forum post by AnthonyR he said his is 148kg(http://forums.seloc.org/viewthread.php?tid=169251&page=1#pid3319181). That's 30kg, quite a big difference. I am guessing from your racing profile you did some work to the engine. Can you share what contributed to the difference of 30kg?

thanks

[Scuffers]

not really a valid comparision, it was a hand built race engine (by QED).

only part that was std K was the bock.
Steel crank, rods, accralite pistons, steel flywheel with 5¼ clutch, 93mm Denso alternator, etc etc etc...

Edited by Scuffers on Tuesday 3rd June 07:22