3 engines

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  • #8537
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Are there any cars using 3 engines?

    #17386
    TimD
    Participant

    quote:


    Originally posted by audiman

    Are there any cars using 3 engines?


    Don’t think so. But it wouldn’t be imposible given a suitable chassis in which they could all physically fit.

    #17387
    imperialdata
    Keymaster

    I understand there are 2 approaches to twin engine design.

    1. Drive the rear wheels with engine (a) and the front wheels with engine (b)

    2. Use both engines’ output to drive a common gearbox

    How the hell does option 1 work, is it totally reliant on electronic engine management? Seem to remember a split gearshift on a Tiger Seven replica which allowed each engine to be gearchanged separately but there must be more to it than that.

    #17388
    TimD
    Participant

    quote:


    Originally posted by imperialdata

    I understand there are 2 approaches to twin engine design.

    1. Drive the rear wheels with engine (a) and the front wheels with engine (b)

    2. Use both engines’ output to drive a common gearbox

    How the hell does option 1 work, is it totally reliant on electronic engine management? Seem to remember a split gearshift on a Tiger Seven replica which allowed each engine to be gearchanged separately but there must be more to it than that.


    All twin BECs (except the bike engine derived V8s..) still retain the original gearboxes – hence the split gearlevers. This applies to 4WD and RWD variants.

    To the best of my knowledge all the twin BECs have a split gearchange like mine. You need this to recover from missed shifts or false neutrals etc..

    Option 1) requires an electronic “centre diff” to reduce power to the front wheels in order that the car can turn into corners properly – and is very expensive.
    Option 2) requires a “transfer box” to take the output from the 2 bike gearboxes and combine. This box sits just behind the engines, at the front of the transmission tunnel. It has 2 inputs and one output which goes, via a propshaft, to the rear diff. This is cheaper than the electronic centre diff – but still not cheap due to it’s “bespoke” nature.

    #17389
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    What about mounting the engine behind the driver, isn’t that easier?

    #17390
    Radar
    Moderator

    A company called Rocket produced a FZR1000 engined car for a few years in the 90’s. This had a rear mounted motor I believe.
    Anybody know if they are still going?
    Also the RD500LC powered hillclimb cars packed their punch from behind the driver, so to speak!
    Last year the last assets of a company called Strathallen (I think) were sold off. They made a mide engined car with a Triumph 1200 engine. Only about 20 made.

    #17391
    TimD
    Participant

    There are quite a few with the engine behind the driver, Radical SR3 and Westfeild XTR2 to name a couple.

    Strathcarron re-engineered their cars to run the K series lump I believe before legislation killed the car. I think the molds may have been bought up though as there is a kitcar that looks very similar floating about.

    #17392
    Anonymous
    Inactive

    Saw the XTR2 in a magazine and think it’s a great looking car. Are there any shows on this year where I can see it and others?

    #17393
    TimD
    Participant

    quote:


    Originally posted by audiman

    Saw the XTR2 in a magazine and think it’s a great looking car. Are there any shows on this year where I can see it and others?


    Best Kitcar show of the year is Stoneleigh on May Bank holiday weekend. Near Coventry. Most kitcar manufacturers will be there showing all sorts of stuff including the BEC ranges. There are some others but all are smaller than Stoneleigh..

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