V12 LSx
#22
The builder said the first two had custom billet cranks but they are trying to just weld two cranks together for this one, to see if it works. He said they are getting better and better everytime they do one, and he said if they can get away from the custom crank he could save 12k.
I was also worried about harmonics but am still super pumped to see AND HEAR it finished.
He said he has no intentions of having a complete block or heads cast, but someone did mentioned someone who could make him cores for the cam (and crank IIRC).
I was also worried about harmonics but am still super pumped to see AND HEAR it finished.
He said he has no intentions of having a complete block or heads cast, but someone did mentioned someone who could make him cores for the cam (and crank IIRC).
#26
Hardly the same, but I remember reading in Hot Rod magazine 80 or 90 years ago how somebody was taking small black Chevy heads and cutting/welding them to install on Chevy inline 6's.
That's when I started my hunt for the rare Chevy II (daddy to the Nova) with an inline 4, yes 4 cylinder engine. Never sighted.
That's when I started my hunt for the rare Chevy II (daddy to the Nova) with an inline 4, yes 4 cylinder engine. Never sighted.
#29
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Serious question:
At this point, why wouldn't you just use an SLA machine to print a wax positive of the engine, and use that to create a completely new investment-cast block and heads (which obey OEM conventions for all the major dimensions and accessory mounts), as opposed to using a bandsaw and welder?
At this point, why wouldn't you just use an SLA machine to print a wax positive of the engine, and use that to create a completely new investment-cast block and heads (which obey OEM conventions for all the major dimensions and accessory mounts), as opposed to using a bandsaw and welder?
What is surprisingly common are "one off" billet blocks/heads, and that was my initial thought. He's doing custom cranks and cams, why not the block and heads too. There's already billet LS heads & blocks, it should be relatively simple to have one of those manufacturers just add cylinders to their CAD file.
EDIT: there's also the lead time on that sort of thing. It would be years realistically before you get something like this from a custom block manufacturer. Much faster to bandsaw and weld.
#31
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What is surprisingly common are "one off" billet blocks/heads, and that was my initial thought. He's doing custom cranks and cams, why not the block and heads too. There's already billet LS heads & blocks, it should be relatively simple to have one of those manufacturers just add cylinders to their CAD file.
EDIT: there's also the lead time on that sort of thing. It would be years realistically before you get something like this from a custom block manufacturer.
I mean, if we hypothetically assume that they are already in possession of the CAD files which represent a more-or-less stock LSx block and heads which have had two extra cylinder dropped into the middle, I can't see why it would take more than a few weeks to create a real-world version of them.
Perhaps I am oversimplifying or mis-understanding some basic limitation of metal-casting technology, but it seems like once the design is in-hand, producing the actual parts by printing out either wax positives for investment-casting or plastic negatives for full-mold casting would not be a significant challenge, particularly when you have the advantage of more-or-less copying an existing, proven design.
#32
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I know relatively little about this field, to be honest. We've all seen the time-lapse video of a 327-axis milling machine creating a complete engine block out of a solid chunk of aluminum, but beyond that, I've no idea what is common practice.
I've seen impressive CNC machines and no one who knows how to program them or run them.
Really?
I mean, if we hypothetically assume that they are already in possession of the CAD files which represent a more-or-less stock LSx block and heads which have had two extra cylinder dropped into the middle, I can't see why it would take more than a few weeks to create a real-world version of them.
Perhaps I am oversimplifying or mis-understanding some basic limitation of metal-casting technology, but it seems like once the design is in-hand, producing the actual parts by printing out either wax positives for investment-casting or plastic negatives for full-mold casting would not be a significant challenge, particularly when you have the advantage of more-or-less copying an existing, proven design.
I mean, if we hypothetically assume that they are already in possession of the CAD files which represent a more-or-less stock LSx block and heads which have had two extra cylinder dropped into the middle, I can't see why it would take more than a few weeks to create a real-world version of them.
Perhaps I am oversimplifying or mis-understanding some basic limitation of metal-casting technology, but it seems like once the design is in-hand, producing the actual parts by printing out either wax positives for investment-casting or plastic negatives for full-mold casting would not be a significant challenge, particularly when you have the advantage of more-or-less copying an existing, proven design.
Last edited by TurboTim; 05-13-2013 at 04:33 PM.
#34
Apparently fab work on the 12 is almost done. They are working on the manifold. Said they are going to put velocity stacks on it. Also said they are gonna rev it to 6K.
Brian Macy said he thinks he can get over 300 hp out of the V4 with a turbo, cam and some head work, so that is the next project after the 12 is done.
I assume they are talking about the Brian Macy from Horsepower Connection. Last time I heard his name was about working on the Ferrambo (Rambler Wagon with 360 modena running gear).
More cool LSx stuff. A flat plane crank 358 ci LSx. Spun to 9k, supposed to hand a 76mm turbo on it.
SAM is running 1K hp NA from a 433 LSx. Revs to 9K. 6Speed Inc ran a 403 to 10500rpm but when they went out of business they took down all the videos.
Brian Macy said he thinks he can get over 300 hp out of the V4 with a turbo, cam and some head work, so that is the next project after the 12 is done.
I assume they are talking about the Brian Macy from Horsepower Connection. Last time I heard his name was about working on the Ferrambo (Rambler Wagon with 360 modena running gear).
More cool LSx stuff. A flat plane crank 358 ci LSx. Spun to 9k, supposed to hand a 76mm turbo on it.
SAM is running 1K hp NA from a 433 LSx. Revs to 9K. 6Speed Inc ran a 403 to 10500rpm but when they went out of business they took down all the videos.
#37
This reminds me of the engine on display at Callaway Cars West in Costa Mesa, CA. I used to work over there and they had this amazing V16 made out of 4 piggy-backed Hyabusa engines.
edit: I had my head wrapped around LSx's I meant to put hyabusa motors. Callaway and LS are usually synonymous.
edit: I had my head wrapped around LSx's I meant to put hyabusa motors. Callaway and LS are usually synonymous.
Last edited by laguna96; 06-07-2013 at 06:31 PM.