New F1 Engine for McLaren

jgredline · Post 08 Feb 2006, 03:33

Thank God!!!
Lets hope this engine is reliable.
http://www.speedtv.com/articles/auto/formulaone/21913/

jezzwa · Post 08 Feb 2006, 04:18

60 hp is a big improvment, they must have been way off with the other V8

se7725 · Post 08 Feb 2006, 04:58

Two of the biggest surprises in testing has been the pace of Toyota and Mclaren. I thought it was almost a given that both where going to be topping the time sheets in testing. Instead Mclaren is looking forward to a new engine to hopefully get them where they need to be and Toyota has their hopes in their upcoming aero package.

m3_lover · Post 08 Feb 2006, 08:35

I think Toyota are not concerned on how they are doing in Testing, they really are completely alot of Km's on there cars, they are doing a lot of testing.

manchild · Post 08 Feb 2006, 09:29

I really think that Mercedes story of +60hp is just an excuse.

By any logic more reliable engine than current one would mean less hp, not more.

Another question - if they've spend some time in 2004 and in 2005 developing new V8 (like Renault did) than how come that they'll do it only right now in this shot time? That is absurdity!

They should go blush in the corner because what they are suggesting now actualy means that they've been fooling around most of the 2005 when they should have developed reliable engine and that they'll do their homework just before the bell rings.

bernard · Post 08 Feb 2006, 09:37

Haha, I told you so. Though what I heard was that it would be 50 hp more.
Whatever the amount is, it will only bring mclaren closer to honda, not over honda. They still have a lot of catching up to do.

..tetopelis · Post 08 Feb 2006, 10:01

hahhahaha..this whole issue is really fun and interesting..here we are speculating on whats goin on with mclaren or whether they droped the ball..when we really don't know whats the issue..hahaha..for all you know come season opener they might just blaze the field..and all of us are gonna turn red faced..hehehe..but i guess thats wht makes it fun
well about the 60 bhp increase..wow..they say the engine can be made reliable plus they increase the 60bhp?...all in a month or so..amazing feat if it does happen..and if it does happen..with the way the chassis looks..i don't see why they won't be up there..bar renault..i so no other car in the field more aerodynamically cleaner then the mclaren car..it dosen't have any funny flip up or extra jetting out aero work..so it is quite an amazing chassis..but the engine issue..well after this weeks test we should get a picture on where they stand won't we?...i read in a different article that the problem is more with the gearbox then the engine?..what do you guys make of that?

monkeyboy1976 · Post 08 Feb 2006, 11:11

There must have been some fundamental issue that only became realised during in car testing. Can't think what it would be though. Seems very odd that it appeared so late.
Anyway, we will never know the truth.

bernard · Post 08 Feb 2006, 12:47

What I think is that the problem they had with the pistons caused the reliability problems and forced them to utilize only a part of the engine's potential. Now that they got the new pistons they can take advantage of the full potential of the engine. So perhaps they didn't suddenly find extra 60 hp somewhere, but instead they are only now able to use the full power of the engine.

Mikacouli · Post 08 Feb 2006, 13:39

bernard wrote:What I think is that the problem they had with the pistons caused the reliability problems and forced them to utilize only a part of the engine's potential. Now that they got the new pistons they can take advantage of the full potential of the engine. So perhaps they didn't suddenly find extra 60 hp somewhere, but instead they are only now able to use the full power of the engine.

That could be true. I was also thinking in that direction.
I think Mercedes started to found out what was wrong with the engine when they tested it at the end of last year in de MP4/20. From then on I think they started to build a new engine, not since last month. It's not possible to redesign and assemble a new engine within a month IMHO.
I'm more positive about the news than negative. As a McLaren fan I have to be positive, right?
No, with that gorgeous car, there must be a good engine. Something I miss since 2000. And even 1999.
We'll see what they do in testing this week. If not this week, next week then.

wowf1 · Post 08 Feb 2006, 14:32

I get frustrated by this sort of 'news' though. Who at Mclaren would actually release an exact figure on the new horsepower? No-one directly related to the design and engineering department I wouldn't have thought. It's pure speculation and once the media and naive fans get hold of the fact, they broadcast it like it will turn F1 on its head!

The reality is probably that Mclaren have had numerous small gremlins, and have managed to correct most of them on the dyno. As a result of this extra development, they may have obtained a little more horsepower.

At best, this 60bhp is Mclaren's media-relations department attempting to recoup people's confidence. Lets not get carried away...

Many have said it before, but I think it needs saying again that testing-pace has little bearing on the following season's performance. The truth is we don't have any real information about the exact configurations and specifications of the cars. So making deductions based on dubious testing times is innaccurate and misleading. Sorry for the slight rant, but I prefer developing opinions based on facts rather than propaganda.

Guest · Post 08 Feb 2006, 14:41

I have it good authority from the 'inside' that Ilmor are pressuring their workforce to work 24 hour shifts and staff are becoming more discontent. Seems to be producing results though!

manchild · Post 08 Feb 2006, 15:18

Let me analyse this having in mind pistons as suggested...

no reliability = too thin pistons

more reliability = thicker and heavier pistons

thicker and heavier pistons = less HP

less HP ≠ more HP

monkeyboy1976 · Post 08 Feb 2006, 15:30

I find it amazing that a company like Merc can fowl up this late on. Unless it is very effective sand bagging. It has been known.

Guest · Post 08 Feb 2006, 16:19

all you need for bad reliability is for instance a badly designed camshaft that cant take the resonances over for instance 17500, and is apt to failure even then. by redesigning it you could push up the rpm (thus pushing up the hp and rev span), assuming its the only failing part. im pretty shure its something to do with resonance, and once you figure it out you have to biuld a new engine, and the manufacturing process from scratch isnt overnight.