The Ford Block starts off as an FRPP Boss 302 Block then undergoes a sh*tload of machining to get it down to weight, prep for dry sump, re-engineer engine mount points etc. And that's $9k AUD which at the time was about $7-8k US, including Australian GST (sales tax).
Weight and reliability. They run high ratio rockers so need high clearance with custom covers. They used to make their own, but they have the machining capability and the down time, so may as well use it. They are pretty trick and EXTREMELY LIGHT.
20,000km is the maximum life, most 'race' life engines do 3000-5000 between rebuilds. Every time you 'buzz' the valvetrain with an over-rev, you knock off a few thousand in life. Most of the engines are on rotation, so the car has a prime & backup engine for the race meeting, with 1-2 in build and one in tear down at the same time. They rarely have failures anymore, just really finicky about life-ing each component.
When you have one of these singing past you on its way to the 7000+ shift cut gear change, it's magic.
If you search YouTube you will find a channel called Lukesonisback. He has most of the episodes of V8 Xtra, a 'magazine show' about V8 SuperCars. They often have technical features that can explain the cars in more depth for you.
See the answers above, but these things are run HARD for 3-5k. Valvetrain stress pretty much - you try to get everything as light as possible for highest power and least rotating mass; which has a corresponding impact on reliability.
Had the please of working with FPR a few years back, very professional guys but still really humble. If you search around there are a number of opportunities for the public to lap Bathurst, like in a 'V8 Race Car'. Otherwise get an international racing VISA from your FIA ASN via SCCA/NASA etc to come and race in February or April in the support races. There is also Drive Bathurst in Nov/Dec which is pricey but essentially a fully catered HPDE & TT event.
Gotta disagree about the 'Ring though. Bathurst is awesome, but it's not in the same league as the Green Hell.
Multi-quotes worked out OK :lol1:
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Weight and reliability. They run high ratio rockers so need high clearance with custom covers. They used to make their own, but they have the machining capability and the down time, so may as well use it. They are pretty trick and EXTREMELY LIGHT.
______________________________________________
20,000km is the maximum life, most 'race' life engines do 3000-5000 between rebuilds. Every time you 'buzz' the valvetrain with an over-rev, you knock off a few thousand in life. Most of the engines are on rotation, so the car has a prime & backup engine for the race meeting, with 1-2 in build and one in tear down at the same time. They rarely have failures anymore, just really finicky about life-ing each component.
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When you have one of these singing past you on its way to the 7000+ shift cut gear change, it's magic.
______________________________________________
If you search YouTube you will find a channel called Lukesonisback. He has most of the episodes of V8 Xtra, a 'magazine show' about V8 SuperCars. They often have technical features that can explain the cars in more depth for you.
______________________________________________
See the answers above, but these things are run HARD for 3-5k. Valvetrain stress pretty much - you try to get everything as light as possible for highest power and least rotating mass; which has a corresponding impact on reliability.
______________________________________________
Had the please of working with FPR a few years back, very professional guys but still really humble. If you search around there are a number of opportunities for the public to lap Bathurst, like in a 'V8 Race Car'. Otherwise get an international racing VISA from your FIA ASN via SCCA/NASA etc to come and race in February or April in the support races. There is also Drive Bathurst in Nov/Dec which is pricey but essentially a fully catered HPDE & TT event.
Gotta disagree about the 'Ring though. Bathurst is awesome, but it's not in the same league as the Green Hell.
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Multi-quotes worked out OK :lol1:
TM, ITC, JGTC and the V8 super cars are all great road race categories. def gotta check them out some time in the future.
