RE: vehicle weight, HP, and gearing comparison between vehicles

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the comparison of vehicle weight, horsepower, and gearing, particularly in the context of building a V12 engine from motorcycle engines for a VW-based kit car. Participants explore calculations and models to achieve performance targets similar to a Lamborghini.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Technical explanation
  • Debate/contested

Main Points Raised

  • One participant shares their project of creating a V12 engine from motorcycle engines, providing specific figures for horsepower and torque, and the weight of the car.
  • Another participant suggests using an acceleration simulator to evaluate performance based on power/weight ratio and other factors, mentioning the need for gear ratio calculations.
  • A participant offers a modeling tool they developed over two years, indicating its complexity and potential usefulness for the project.
  • There is a question about the specific motorcycle engines being used for the V12 conversion.
  • One participant expresses frustration about asking questions in the forum, indicating a possible previous negative experience.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants have not reached a consensus on the best methods or tools for comparing vehicle performance, and multiple approaches and tools are suggested without agreement on a single solution.

Contextual Notes

Participants mention the need for adjustments based on torque and horsepower curves, as well as the challenges of fitting components in a V12 configuration, highlighting the complexity of the project.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in automotive engineering, performance vehicle design, or those working on similar engine conversion projects may find this discussion relevant.

ydeardorff
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Hello all.
I am now enrolled at VRI at WWU!

I am working on a sort of independent study project. I am making a V12 out of a pair of motorcycle engines to go into a VW based kit car.

I have run the IHP formula and come out with 250hp, and 220 lb/ft of torque.

The car weighs 1800 pounds.

Ok now, onto the next. I am targeting as close to Lamborghini acceleration as I can.

What I am looking for is a way to compare the weight, power, and gearing (including final drive ratio) of one vehicle to set the gearing of the other.

I know adjustments will have to be made for the torque/hp curve peaks. but trying to get a good close ball park and start from there.

The transmission will be modular and a sequentially shifted unit.

Any one point me to the proper calculations, or formulas?

Thanks in advance!

Yaughn
 
Engineering news on Phys.org
This acceleration simulator should help you evaluate the performance you can achieve with a given power/weight ratio, tire's friction coefficient and vehicle layout; no matter what type of engine or transmission. (the theory is at the bottom of the page)

Once you know the target vehicle' speed and the engine rpm for the desired power output, you just need to calculate the proper gear ratio to link the engine to the wheels (formula and link to nice calculator here).
 
Thanks! Ill look into them.

Im trying to iron out some details on the engine component alignments. There's always something to have to wriggle into place. A V12 has very little room to work with ironically.
 
I have something that can model this for you:

thrust180-200bhp.jpg


It took me about 2 years to write. Admittedly, I wasn't working on it flat out, but it's pretty involved.

What pair of motorcycle engines have you made a V12 out of?
 
kawasaki voyager. Its a work in process, not complete yet.
 
thanks for your replies. but after a recent thread, I'll stop asking questions here
 

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