The shift to V8
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V8s are going to be a big step backwards from last year's V10s.
The obvious effect will be a decrease in horsepower, with 20% of the engine being chopped off. Mind you, with the 98kg minimum weight rule, the loss of cylinders and capacity will NOT result in any adtantages in the momentum department.
At face value, the loss of power may seem to be correctable by an increase in revs, but that's not the case either. If anything, it's even worse now: with a V10, the worst vibrations occur between 14,000 and 16,000 revs, which wasn't a problem since the engines spent most of their time at 18,000+ rpm anyway.
In the case of the V8s, however, the vibrations start becoming a problem at 16,000 and only get worse from there.
The weight restrictions would allow designers to use cross-plane crankshafts (instead of the usual flat-plane ones for racing engines) with counterweights to minimise vibrations, but even then, that would reduce engine response and itself limit revs (owing to the larger mass of the crankshaft).
It'll be interesting to see how the engineers work their way out of this one. -
wahts' the rev limit for the optional rev limited v10s?
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the developers didnt want to try in-line and W* engines?
*W12 W16 etc -
I wouldn't see it as a step backwards, but a good opportunity for manufacturers to reinvent so as to overcome the problems described above. Engineering in the real world poses challenges that need to be overcomed, although coming up with new better technology is good, there should be some time spent on ironing out problems in older designs.
Engineers are always working with limitations, and reverting to v8 is actually a challenge for them to overcome present design flaws. We can come up with new engines but some problems you face with early ones are going to stay there regardless unless you get it sorted out. -
The are moving from V10 to V8 to cut cost and power, and now you suggesting the teams put 2 V8 engine together to make a W16?Originally posted by ceecookie:the developers didnt want to try in-line and W* engines?
*W12 W16 etc -
***correction***Originally posted by bismarck:wahts' the rev limit for the optional rev limited v10s?
I think it is in the region of 16,500 but the will have the added advantage of reliability at the beginning of the season.
For V8, Cosworth is running around 19,800 rpm highest so far, and it currently the most powerful, estimated to be around 740bhp. I think Merc engine is one of the weakest at the moment. -
interesting as it may sound, the decrease in power actually increases the laptimes!!Originally posted by Gedanken:V8s are going to be a big step backwards from last year's V10s.
The obvious effect will be a decrease in horsepower, with 20% of the engine being chopped off. Mind you, with the 98kg minimum weight rule, the loss of cylinders and capacity will NOT result in any adtantages in the momentum department.
At face value, the loss of power may seem to be correctable by an increase in revs, but that's not the case either. If anything, it's even worse now: with a V10, the worst vibrations occur between 14,000 and 16,000 revs, which wasn't a problem since the engines spent most of their time at 18,000+ rpm anyway.
In the case of the V8s, however, the vibrations start becoming a problem at 16,000 and only get worse from there.
The weight restrictions would allow designers to use cross-plane crankshafts (instead of the usual flat-plane ones for racing engines) with counterweights to minimise vibrations, but even then, that would reduce engine response and itself limit revs (owing to the larger mass of the crankshaft).
It'll be interesting to see how the engineers work their way out of this one.
yes, its the improvement of airflow and aero package and all.. but it still 20%LOSS OF POWER!!! -
It really depends of the type of circuit. The aero package will only benefit tracks will long straights and high speed corners. For track like spa and monaco, you will V8 will lose out.Originally posted by junh:interesting as it may sound, the decrease in power actually increases the laptimes!!
yes, its the improvement of airflow and aero package and all.. but it still 20%LOSS OF POWER!!! -
its interesting how u chose spa and manaco to compare..Originally posted by Gazelle:It really depends of the type of circuit. The aero package will only benefit tracks will long straights and high speed corners. For track like spa and monaco, you will V8 will lose out.
they cant be more diff!!
but hey! good point -
The V8 sounds different...
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I think the V10 will have an advantage over the V8 at San Marino this weekend.
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It will be interesting to see if the V8 could be faster than last year's V10 at silverstone.
Montoya backs Wurz speed boost
28/04/2006 11:43
Juan Pablo Montoya has backed former team-mate Alex Wurz's claim that cornering speeds are now higher than last year.
The Colombian racer, who used to test alongside Wurz until the 32-year-old Austrian switched to Williams, said he starkly noticed the difference whilst running at Silverstone this week.
McLaren's Montoya explained, "Copse (corner), for example, is really fast (now) and you don't really lift."
The speed boost, despite the governing FIA's intention to slow F1 down with less powerful engines, is due to a combination of the 2.4 litre V8's and the return of tyre pit stops.