AJP8 in F3000 car!
Discussion
I thought I saw it at Raceproved and after a quick check - here is the link:
http://www.raceproved.com/ajp-v8-powered-f3000-in-...
http://www.raceproved.com/ajp-v8-powered-f3000-in-...
If it's the original car then it certainly wasn't one of the last of the engines to come out of the factory, more like one of the first!
The reason for designing the AJP V8 was Peter Wheeler at the time wanted TVR power to become a standalone business as up to that point TVR Power had only produced engines for TVR cars and as such had no income, so the idea was to create an engine that could be marketed as a race engine which led to its design as a stress member. At the time there was a regulation change ongoing in Formula 3000 that led to a large number of defunked chassis being available. MCD promoted this with the intention of creating a single seater series called the Grand Prix Lights with the aim of TVR Power leasing the engines to the teams and thus creating an income stream for TVR Power. A car was built and successfully tested round Pembery and produced nearly double the torque of a F1 engine of the time. An event was held at the Belfry in conjunction with the RAC and race teams with these spare chassis were invited to attend. At this point, according to Al, Peter Wheeler withdrew his support and as a result the engine was only used in the Cerbera.
The reason for designing the AJP V8 was Peter Wheeler at the time wanted TVR power to become a standalone business as up to that point TVR Power had only produced engines for TVR cars and as such had no income, so the idea was to create an engine that could be marketed as a race engine which led to its design as a stress member. At the time there was a regulation change ongoing in Formula 3000 that led to a large number of defunked chassis being available. MCD promoted this with the intention of creating a single seater series called the Grand Prix Lights with the aim of TVR Power leasing the engines to the teams and thus creating an income stream for TVR Power. A car was built and successfully tested round Pembery and produced nearly double the torque of a F1 engine of the time. An event was held at the Belfry in conjunction with the RAC and race teams with these spare chassis were invited to attend. At this point, according to Al, Peter Wheeler withdrew his support and as a result the engine was only used in the Cerbera.
V8 GRF said:
If it's the original car then it certainly wasn't one of the last of the engines to come out of the factory, more like one of the first!
The reason for designing the AJP V8 was Peter Wheeler at the time wanted TVR power to become a standalone business as up to that point TVR Power had only produced engines for TVR cars and as such had no income, so the idea was to create an engine that could be marketed as a race engine which led to its design as a stress member. At the time there was a regulation change ongoing in Formula 3000 that led to a large number of defunked chassis being available. MCD promoted this with the intention of creating a single seater series called the Grand Prix Lights with the aim of TVR Power leasing the engines to the teams and thus creating an income stream for TVR Power. A car was built and successfully tested round Pembery and produced nearly double the torque of a F1 engine of the time. An event was held at the Belfry in conjunction with the RAC and race teams with these spare chassis were invited to attend. At this point, according to Al, Peter Wheeler withdrew his support and as a result the engine was only used in the Cerbera.
Didnt avid Coulthard drive it...or one of the 3000 cars with the AJP engine?The reason for designing the AJP V8 was Peter Wheeler at the time wanted TVR power to become a standalone business as up to that point TVR Power had only produced engines for TVR cars and as such had no income, so the idea was to create an engine that could be marketed as a race engine which led to its design as a stress member. At the time there was a regulation change ongoing in Formula 3000 that led to a large number of defunked chassis being available. MCD promoted this with the intention of creating a single seater series called the Grand Prix Lights with the aim of TVR Power leasing the engines to the teams and thus creating an income stream for TVR Power. A car was built and successfully tested round Pembery and produced nearly double the torque of a F1 engine of the time. An event was held at the Belfry in conjunction with the RAC and race teams with these spare chassis were invited to attend. At this point, according to Al, Peter Wheeler withdrew his support and as a result the engine was only used in the Cerbera.
The one in the pic seems to be a dry sump version and looks a little wierd around the back of the block. I may pop into raceproved this week and have a snoop around. We were discussing using an AJP for a single seater rear engine project only this weekend. This has got me curious now.
I reckon it's more likely an earlier prototype than a late engine as all the castings were changed for the dry sump version. If I can find time to go for a look I'll report back.
I reckon it's more likely an earlier prototype than a late engine as all the castings were changed for the dry sump version. If I can find time to go for a look I'll report back.
It looks like a bog standard dry sumped race engine to me, with an adaptor plate and a transaxle gearbox on the back.
TVR had an ex Coulthard F3000 chassis with one fitted to it. There is another chap, Mike, who has a similar F3000 also with an AJP fitted. It is a cheap option compared with other suitable race engines for these cars
TVR had an ex Coulthard F3000 chassis with one fitted to it. There is another chap, Mike, who has a similar F3000 also with an AJP fitted. It is a cheap option compared with other suitable race engines for these cars
TVR didn't sell the dry sumped engine apart from to the odd exceptional customer.. until late 2004 when the Russian business boy pulled the plug on the Tuscan Challenge and they were all sold off. There have been engines built from new race blocks since, but to be honest does it matter whether it was the last, the penultimate or the first - its just good to see it in a race car
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