has anyone modified a formula ford with a very high hp motor?

ev_nred · 23 Jul 2011, 02:14 (Ref:2930002)

hello,
So I was bored last nigh and start looking at random motor sport stuff. I started to compare Formula 3 to formula ford. The chassis and aerodynamics of formula 3 are light years ahead of formula ford. But the engine is not formula 3 engines give about 225hp and get 200mph right? Formula ford engines make anywhere form 115hp for the kent and 140hp. As far as I know the 140hp cars can get about 150mph at the end of a long straight? Is this right? So then how much hp would you need for 200mph (I calculated 280hp is that right, if so that means 560hp for 250mph) has anybody done this?
thanks,

GORDON STREETER · 23 Jul 2011, 12:08 (Ref:2930094)

Even a modern F1 car with all the HP can't go much faster than 230mph because of aerodynamics.
HP vs speed in not linear

Hubble · 23 Jul 2011, 13:28 (Ref:2930116)

140hp for 150mph vs 280hp for 250mph is not linear

ev_nred · 23 Jul 2011, 16:27 (Ref:2930150)

hello,
Sorry my math is way off. But don't you need 8x the power to go 2x as fast? so then to go %25 percent faster you need 2x the power? Also formula one cars have 2 or 3 times the amount of drag of formula ford cars. So how much power would you need to get to 200mph, 250mph?

GT-Driver · 25 Jul 2011, 09:54 (Ref:2930800)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ev_nred

hello,
So I was bored last nigh and start looking at random motor sport stuff. I started to compare Formula 3 to formula ford. The chassis and aerodynamics of formula 3 are light years ahead of formula ford. But the engine is not formula 3 engines give about 225hp and get 200mph right? Formula ford engines make anywhere form 115hp for the kent and 140hp. As far as I know the 140hp cars can get about 150mph at the end of a long straight? Is this right? So then how much hp would you need for 200mph (I calculated 280hp is that right, if so that means 560hp for 250mph) has anybody done this?
thanks,

As was informed by other members, the horse power and speed attained is NOT linear. The faster you go the more density the air would have. Im not very precise with this but around 200mph air becoes as thick as custard.

See the Bugatti vyron (excuse spell) needed much more torque and power just to get few exta miles while many super cars will do 190-200 mph easy with "about" half the horsepower. you see.

Also, what the hell has this to do with the compaision between F3 and the littleformula ford?!! The formula ford doesnt even has any wings on it.

Plus with its exta narrow chassis tuning its power up is indeed NOT a good idea. It would be better to tune a Formula BMW or F3 engine for hill climb or trackdays because they have great chassis that can take it plus they have active aerodynamics so the faster you go the better handling you would get.

andrewc · 25 Jul 2011, 15:43 (Ref:2930940)

A Formula 3 car is normally geared to around 150mph, not 200!

Red Dog · 26 Jul 2011, 22:03 (Ref:2931522)

Quote:

Originally Posted by ev_nred

hello,
Sorry my math is way off. But don't you need 8x the power to go 2x as fast? so then to go %25 percent faster you need 2x the power? Also formula one cars have 2 or 3 times the amount of drag of formula ford cars. So how much power would you need to get to 200mph, 250mph?

You get the prize!!

To go from 100 to 200mph you need 8 times the power - all other things being equal.

Its all about frontal area and drag coefficient. If you want to go fast you need the smallest of both. A typical race car with wings will have anything from 0.45 to 0.7Cd. A speed record car will have maybe 0.15 and the solar powered record cars have less than 0.1Cd and a very small frontal area.

Race cars are not generally set up for top speed. An F3 car might have an FA of 14 square feet and a Cd of 0.6 given its need for downforce. Assuming those figures it would need 193 HP at the rear wheels to reach 150mph. Assuming the losses to the wheels are around 12% that would indicate flywheel HP as 220.

Not going to reach 200mph unless you reduce the FA to about 6 square feet (not possible) or reduce the drag to 0.26Cd. (Need to have a fully enveloping body as open wheels create a lot of drag)
Bill

Nortad · 26 Jul 2011, 23:14 (Ref:2931554)

compared to other formulas, a wingless formula ford will have, all things being equal, better drag coeficient. But doing 200mph on one is a quite daunting thing. Feasible, but unsafe, it eould be like a 60´s F1 probably.

Anyway, take my opinion with a pinch of salt has I have no experience with formulas, and there are much more knowledgeble persons here :P

boyracer019 · 27 Jul 2011, 07:08 (Ref:2931643)

I seem to recall from many years ago that drag increases at the square of speed - an increase of 10 mph would be an increase of 100 drags (the 'official' SI unit of drag you know!!).

Final speed is a by product of power vs. drag. When the two are in balance then you have terminal velocity. A Skydiver falling in the classic spread position has a TV of about 120mph, in the head down position (much reduced drag) it is 200ish