Engine Homologation

[BretEarl]

http://www.indycar.com/News/2014/01/1-29-Third-year-of-engine-homologation

[sejarzo]

Engine swap-out mileage increased from 2000 to 2500 miles this year.

Could be a bit of a relative disadvantage for HPD unless the move to twin turbo turns out to not have any hidden issues.

[BretEarl]

The mileage increase is significant from where it started around 1600-1800 miles. That could save each manufacturer 1 engine per entrant over the year.

[ICS001]

Incidentally 2,500 miles is in line with the FIA rules on Formula 1 engines. Amusingly enough, from what I can see Indycar is allowing more engine development through the season than the F1 regulations permit.

[BretEarl]

I wonder if that one less engine cost savings will be passed onto the teams.

[rrrr]

Thanks for posting this. The parts subject to this year's homologation are significant, particularly the heads and camshaft. It'll be interesting to see if a noticeable benefit accrues to one manufacturer compared to the other.

The homologation list:

• Cylinder head: valve angles, valve center line spacing, location of intake and exhaust ports relative to the flange face, spark plug location, injector positions, camshaft and journal location, intake/exhaust port shape, combustion chamber shape, valve seat and guide.

• Induction system and plenum, including connection pipe.

• Fuel Injection.

• Turbo specification, including all inlet ducting.

• Camshaft (lift and duration).

• Connecting rod and bushing.

• Exhaust system.

[BretEarl]

Is the true about the engine development compared to F-1 this year. If so, we shall have to talk some people off the ledge.

[ryspy8492]

I wonder if that one less engine cost savings will be passed onto the teams.

And maybe the manufacturers being able to commit to greater engine availability for the 500.

[BretEarl]

The numbers would suggest a saving of 12 per maker. Your rotation of rebuilds would be smaller too.

[Grizzlor]

And maybe the manufacturers being able to commit to greater engine availability for the 500.

I don't think that's the issue as much as they don't want to subsidize them.

[readgols]

I don't think that's the issue as much as they don't want to subsidize them.

This

[TimmyZ1]

Curious if we will get confirmation on a HP bump? Will Power mentioned it in one of Robin's columns

[ryspy8492]

I don't think that's the issue as much as they don't want to subsidize them.

Ok, I just remembered talk about potential entrants not being able to get an engine. Good news to see it either way, less engine replacements obviously equals less cost. Whether it brings down the engine prices or keeps (or draws) engine manufactures interested in participating its good news.

[Bullwinkle]

I wonder if that one less engine cost savings will be passed onto the teams.

No. Remember, the engine manufacturers are losing Hundreds of Thousands of dollars per car per year. Estimates I have seen range from $200,000 per car to $600,000 per car. If the manufacturer's save any money at all they will be keeping it.

Also, engines and engine rebuilding is a small part of the cost. Most of the cost is People and development. Each car gets about two dedicated expensive support people (one engineer assigned to the team and another FTE that works at the factory). That cost is not going down.

[Bullwinkle]

Curious if we will get confirmation on a HP bump? Will Power mentioned it in one of Robin's columns

Some of the changes will be for reliability (especially for HPD). I heard the turbos are slightly more "powerful" so there would be a slight HP bump there.