new v-12 engine for the p-51's

[thunderstangfan]

has anyone thought about talking to ryan falconner about what was involved in developing his v-12.
john parker has been racing his thundermustang pretty hard for years now, and how many engines has he gone through?
seems to me that with the money the teams are spending on building merlins every year, why not throw some money into a new engine with all the modern technology.
and like everyone says the merlins are getting rare and more expensive every year! wouldnt it be worth it in the long run?



P.S. i already have my hard hat on so throw all the rocks you want!

[MRussell]

Re: new v-12 engine for the p-51's

Here is a thread where it gets discussed thoroughly:

http://www.aafo.com/hangartalk/showthread.php?t=2504

[Randy Haskin]

Re: new v-12 engine for the p-51's

It all comes down to supply and demand.

Making a new engine is expensive, and there is relatively low demand (regardless of what some people might think).

[First time Juke]

Re: new v-12 engine for the p-51's

Does John Parker when pushing the "go baby" -button get more hp:s or is it just the start button ?

Is it a 1 000 hp engine or the stated 650 hp ?

[W J Pearce]

Re: new v-12 engine for the p-51's

John Parker is on his original engine. It has been "rebuilt" twice. The first time was to enhance its performance. The second time was after a burnt piston. It was dynoed at Falconer's shop and produced 660 hp at 5000 feet. That was in early 2004 I think. Since then it has raced 2 Renos, made 2 Nellis appearances, and the Marysville speed runs where it set two speed records. The "Go Baby Go" switch was to turn on the NOS for the speed runs. It has never used NOS at Reno, the rules forbid it.

To the best of my knowledge, other than oil and plugs, the engine has not been touched since the 2004 rebuild.

[SCEPTER]

Re: new v-12 engine for the p-51's

correct me if i am wrong,but I always thought that the falconer engine has the same bore and stroke of a 350 chevy.

[440_Magnum]

Re: new v-12 engine for the p-51's

correct me if i am wrong,but I always thought that the falconer engine has the same bore and stroke of a 350 chevy.

No, the 350 is a smallblock. The Falconer is based on the big-block Chevy architecture (loosely). I don't know the bore and stroke of the Falconer, and I doubt that either is the same as any production Chevy given how heavily modified the whole design is. But if either of the dimensions were stock, it would correspond to that of 454, not a 350.

[Unregistered]

Re: new v-12 engine for the p-51's

Check the following link

http://www.falconerengines.com/

I read a history somwhere, as I recall the engine came from his work on the 90 degree V6 engine. I have seen it in person and talked with mechanics back when the green one was still with us. They stated many of the parts in it are "off the shelf" performance parts including pistons and rods from the small block chevy. The engine is 600 cubes and coresponds to a 400 inch v8

Derrek

[Unregistered]

Re: new v-12 engine for the p-51's

At a bore of 4.125" and a stroke of 3.750" , it looks like a stretched version of the 400 small block.

[W J Pearce]

Re: new v-12 engine for the p-51's

Engine type: 90 degree V-12, Ryan Falconer Industries (all Aluminum)
Displacement: 601 cubic inches
Horsepower: 660 hp @ 4500 rpm at 5050 feet altitude
Torque: 782+ ft./lb @ 4700 rpm at sea level
Compression Ratio: 10.9:1
Bore: 4.125 in.
Stroke: 3.750 in.
Fuel: 100 LL Avgas
Heads: Cast aluminum with splayed valve design
Cylinders: Steel sleeved
Main bearing size: Same as 400 cid Chevrolet
Rod bearing size: Same as 350 cid Chevrolet
Cam bearings: Similar to Chevy small block
Rods: Forged, Carrillo Industries
Pistons: Forged aluminum, J.E. Pistons
Valve train: Dual spring
Valves: Stainless, 2.190 intake / 1.610 exhaust
Rocker assembly: Investment, cast stainless steel, 17-4
Roller tappets: AC Delco
Pushrods: Smith Brothers
Manifold: RFI, with end entry plenums and 70mm butterflies
Ignition: Delco Direct Fire (no distributor), with dual computers
Freeze plugs: Threaded with o-ring
Port runners: Pre-machined for better flow
Crankshaft: Bryant
Head gasket: Fel-Pro, custom-built
Dry oil sump pump: RFI, custom-built
Damper: Fluidampr
Length: 55.5 in
Width: 24.25 in
Weight: 980 lb (firewall forward, includes: accessories, batteries, gear reduction unit, hoses, propeller, etc.)

[Tin Man]

Re: new v-12 engine for the p-51's

I was told Ryan Falconer is no longer making aircraft engines.

[First time Juke]

Re: new v-12 engine for the p-51's

has anyone thought about talking to ryan falconner about what was involved in developing his v-12.

P.S. i already have my hard hat on so throw all the rocks you want!

My humble enthusiast candidate would be a small 4500-6000 lbs weighing twin with two 660 hp falconers V-12s..I figure they are capable to be " GO BABY GO " tuned for 850 hp each. It could race in the UNLIMITED CLASS.

It would not be entirely impossible to custom design one quite moderatly here in Finland with dudes at the polytechnical university in Helsinki. Using carbon and fiberglass with reinforced steel and aluminium.

With the specs 1700 hp and 5 000 lbs weight...it could not be far away from 500+ mph lap speeds.

Anyone interested ?

[Unregistered]

Re: new v-12 engine for the p-51's

If I had a trillion dollars Juke, I would be all over your idea. I would get Burt Rutan to design and build it for me though. (nothing against the guys in Helsinki). I have been telling freinds ever since I first learned of the falconer, that a race designed twin, running two of them would kick ass. There are poeple here with alot more knowladge than I have, but I think it could at least be a silver contender.

I would love to hear some thoughts on this.