Re: The Ultimate Mustang?
In fact, prior to the turbine era, no one managed to do much to these engines except turn up the boost control. Given that 2 stage Merlins vastly outnumbered 2 stage Allisons comparing a Merlin to a single stage Allison in the pre-turbine era is comparing 120" MAP engines with 85" MAP engines.
The year is 2006. We know a bit more about modifying engines now and it is very telling that the most successful non-turbine teams run Allisons. And these are running at higher power levels than the Merlins can match. I also grew up in the Puget Sound and have a close relative with 4 inboard titles. So what? This is about what we would do TODAY. Not 20 years ago.
Today, we would turbocharge: more complete cycle, more reliable, lower stress/HP, better SFC, less heat. Modern turbocharging only please.
Today we would run on pure methanol. A far better fuel than leaded gasoline, it allows more boost, lower temperatures, higher power density. Change the oil every day and pickle the tanks after the week. We have to do the same to the ADI anyway.
Today we would run FADEC. There is no advantage to carbs and magnetos other than they are sitting there. No other racing series uses such archaic technology.
BTW, my relative is the first to wave the FADEC/methanol/turbocharging flag despite the fact that he won all of his races with a magneto ignition engine. One of the things that stops a lot of racers from other motorsports from helping out in unlimiteds is the "we do it this way because that's the way we've always done it" mentality. If IF1 thought this way they'd still be racing low aspect ratio Hershey bar wings.
Originally posted by Unregistered
The year is 2006. We know a bit more about modifying engines now and it is very telling that the most successful non-turbine teams run Allisons. And these are running at higher power levels than the Merlins can match. I also grew up in the Puget Sound and have a close relative with 4 inboard titles. So what? This is about what we would do TODAY. Not 20 years ago.
Today, we would turbocharge: more complete cycle, more reliable, lower stress/HP, better SFC, less heat. Modern turbocharging only please.
Today we would run on pure methanol. A far better fuel than leaded gasoline, it allows more boost, lower temperatures, higher power density. Change the oil every day and pickle the tanks after the week. We have to do the same to the ADI anyway.
Today we would run FADEC. There is no advantage to carbs and magnetos other than they are sitting there. No other racing series uses such archaic technology.
BTW, my relative is the first to wave the FADEC/methanol/turbocharging flag despite the fact that he won all of his races with a magneto ignition engine. One of the things that stops a lot of racers from other motorsports from helping out in unlimiteds is the "we do it this way because that's the way we've always done it" mentality. If IF1 thought this way they'd still be racing low aspect ratio Hershey bar wings.
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