Fuel consumption rate for race engines.
Fuel consumption rate for race engines.
(OP)
As an addition to my post on thread71-125393 and answering a query by Robert Reinking of the University of Arizona...
<http://dakotacom.net/~reinking/Yellowcar.html>
From my engine figures the fuel consumption graph appears to be linear given the four points that I can supply.
It sure would be nice if other members could add a few more in the 200hp to 450hp range. Horsepower at the wheels, race weight (car and driver),engine displacement and fuel consumption.
Rod
<http://dakotacom.net/~reinking/Yellowcar.html>
From my engine figures the fuel consumption graph appears to be linear given the four points that I can supply.
It sure would be nice if other members could add a few more in the 200hp to 450hp range. Horsepower at the wheels, race weight (car and driver),engine displacement and fuel consumption.
Quote:
1594cc Lotus Cortina twincam ~165 hp at the wheels---race weight of 2060 lbs., car and driver---Riverside Int. Raceway lap times 2:05 long course and 1:39 short course (this car retired three lap records at RIR)--- 10 gallons of race fuel per hour...
Same car with 139hp at the wheels 2:09's and 1:42's same tracks and ~9 gallons per hour.
<500hp tube frame IMSA Pantera RIR long course 24 gallons per hour...sorry I don't remember the weight, but it was pretty light tube frame and fiberglass...it was not my car, I was the "fuel guy" in the crew and I just ran the 'dump cans'.
1380cc Austin Cooper @ 110.45 hp at the wheels, 1730 lbs. race weight car and driver.
Based on three two hour races at Willow springs from 2003 to 2005... 7.2 gallons of Sunoco 110 per hour.
Rod





RE: Fuel consumption rate for race engines.
From your lowest two horsepower points, I calculate .38 lbs per horsepower-hour: almost identically the same for both! But far lower bsfc numbers for the two higher horsepowers:
This suggests that the "165 hp" car was making only 154 hp, and the *500 hp* Pantera was making but 369 hp.
But that can't be: race engine builders wouldn't dare over-state their power outputs, would they?
Finally, I'd say that .38 lb/bhp-hr is a very reasonable-looking number, and I would not be surprised if it had broad application to race engines in general. Four-valve engines might be a bit more fuel-efficient, turbocharged or supercharged engines a bit less so, and air-cooled engines or drag engines where fuel is used as a sort of a coolant considerably less so.
I cannot see, however, how car weight, etc, has any bearing on this, as long as the race car is being operated at maximum output near 100% of the time.
RE: Fuel consumption rate for race engines.
The hp figures for the Locor were done in the early 70's at Ak Miller's (VERY reputable shop) in Pico and, on the Evanspeed Claton at AVO in El Segundo in 1984 (I think). I don't have the sheets any longer but I used these two engines until November 1990 at Las Vegas--- fuel mileage varried little over the years. I think it got a little better as I got older and slower
Rod
RE: Fuel consumption rate for race engines.
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Fuel consumption rate for race engines.
Alessandro
RE: Fuel consumption rate for race engines.
JimK.
RE: Fuel consumption rate for race engines.
Keep in mind, gentlemen, that I posted those numbers as a favor to another member...I am not totally convinced that you can compare my fuel consumption figures with a vintage Austin Cooper raced by a 66 year old to the figures from modern day NASCAR or F-1 engines...indeed, from ANY modern engine!
Rod
RE: Fuel consumption rate for race engines.
Alessandro, 90% full throttle around Monza?!Must be nice to get hold of such a telemetry printout and have it framed!
JimK.
RE: Fuel consumption rate for race engines.
http://img243.echo.cx/img243/3267/compare2yr.jpg
Cheers
Greg Locock
Please see FAQ731-376 for tips on how to make the best use of Eng-Tips.
RE: Fuel consumption rate for race engines.
http:
This year the cars will have 18-20% less power, it looks like the mix between vehicle dynamic performance - engine power - trak configuration is not well balanced.
I'm stopping here because i think to be a little off topic ...
Alessandro