0 - 60 - 4 seconds

What size engine can do this???

Desi-

I think you'll find the limitation to be getting the power to the ground. The framehorn set-up on a pan is not very conducive to drag-race starts, unless you install a traction bar, a mid-mount, some trans-straps, or a kafer bar- or all of them. I've got a tube frame, and I'll be posting pictures soon of what I did to tie my engine into the frame (here's a hint- it's not anything I've seen before).

As far as the engine.... how much money do you have?

How about Tesla power?
Where did you go Paul Rich?

A hyabusa

It seems to me that the mythical, original Cyclops could do 0 - 60 in 3.7 or less.

30cc V-1 engine with 5 spark plugs and 151 valves - And it runs on Olive Oil!

http://sbiii.com/cyclops/cyclops.html

They don't build 'em like that any more (and maybe didn't build 'em like that back then, either....)

gn

My bug will 0-60 mph in 1.91 seconds. BUT!!!!! That is on a drag strip with cheater slicks. As stated before there is quite a bit of suspension work and getting it to the ground. The speedster is light compared to super cars that plant the weight with super high HP. You will most likely spin with a big ammount of HP. If you don't have the drive train to hold it, you better hope it spins.

Desi,

I was saying... There are plenty of engines that will go 0-60 under 4, really depend on the Chassis. Bugatti Veyron does it in 2.6, Ariel Atom... 2.7

I am still having a hard time understanding the electric cars {Tesla}. I was in a Prius this week, just not impressed. Gutless and smelled metallic inside. Reminded me of the smell my electric cars would give off after getting them good and hot running around the snap together black plastic race track. Come to think of it, the trigger shifter would give off the same sell. Electric speedsters wont ever make sense to me.
Funny thing, when we parked the car and began to walk away the owner could not get it to lock. After 5 minutes she proclaimed "oh, its still on", reached inside and hit the power button. The damn thing sounded the same on or off. Ill stick with recycling and plastic on my apartment windows thank you.
*rant*...

The Bugatti is 1,000 Hp so your gonna need at least 500 hp street engine to get in under 6 sec. or one wicked Vw drag racer engine built to the hilt.

I looked at electric power. On the positive the motor is light, but the batteries weigh a lot, if you want to have a range of above 50 miles per charge. I had thought about cutting the top of of the centre tunnel on a VW pan, mounting some batteries in there, to keep the weight in the centre, mounting some more batteries in the front, to get a 50:50 weight distribution. But still the problem is distance between charges. So now I am planning the build using a Hayabusa 1300cc motorbike engine. The stock engine makes about 175hp and weighs around 160lbs if I recall, making for better handling. I expect the car to weigh 1400lbs in total. The differential required is usally one forward speed, one reverse speed (as the bike has a 6-speed tranny attached already) and is a bit lighter than stock VW tranny. I am using billet alloy disc brakes all round to reduce weight, and will be removing metal were possible without compromising on the structural strength of the car. I expect it to weigh 1400lbs total. Cars of a similar weight with this engine have achieved 0-60 in the low 4 seconds. If you add a turbo to it, it takes off a further 0.5 seconds approx. Rotary and Subarus engines are quite common too, although Subarus weigh more and rotaries arent great on fuel. For me its all about 0-60 as I dont fancy driving 100mph+ in a car with no safety features or having my license taken away.

Barry, my 2000 BMW Z3 M series roadster has no problem hitting 0-60 in the 5.2 -5.4 range consistently, this is with the standard 245 HP engine with cat-back sport exhaust and cold air intake, stock chip.

Here's a link to a Motor Trend article written in 2002. The Spyder had a 2165 cc Pat Downs VW engine. 0 to 60 in 5.3 seconds

http://www.classicauto-sales.com/cars/beck02/motor_trend.pdf

You have to keep us informed on the biek engine build. I was looking at these the other day on the net, I think it was a site from the UK that had kits to put them in Mini's. Looked very interesting and a heck of a lot of HP for the $$ compared to the other options.

Ariel Atom - BOMB! that's what i'm talking about!!
I got adrenlin pumping thru me right now!
I gotta get to work , i need to start saving!

Thanks Rich for sharing..................out!!!!

This'll come close to 0-60 in 4 sec...

http://www.auto123.com/en/campagna/t-rex/2005/review?carid=1051100100&artid=49085

Looks pretty interesting...

Desi - you've already seen a 4 second car... And a girl was driving it - LOL!

With plenty of witnesses and a radar gun with a computer to provide proof - 0-60 in 4.6 seconds. If I didn't have a 700 mile drive home ahead of me after the run (to give me fearless shifting - I shifted like a wuss) and a good set of tires, this is probably a 4.1 or 4.2 pretty easily. As was, it pulled so hard that I crossed out of the timing zone with the ass hung out a foot to the right at over 90 mph even with 225 rear rubber... Good DOT quasi-legal sticky tires would have been nice to have.

http://www.kitcarmag.com/featuredvehicles/0803kc_replica_porsche_550a6_spyder/index.html

I'm 100% confident that there are a couple of six cylinder IM's that are four second cars, and a turbo suby or two in the same area. Then there's the ferociously built T4 and T1 motors... Stop light grand prix, those cars are little badasses!!!

angela

1.8 Liter
http://jalopnik.com/5163887/2010-lotus-exige-s-260-sport-the-most-powerful-exige-ever

-=theron

I guess I'll have to REALLY measure mine. I know it's easily less than 5.5 to sixty, and probably under 5 seconds consistently. 1420 lbs. and 180 hp, 2165cc type1 Jake motor. Oh yeah, that's a Spyder with 195/60 tires, they will spin alot if I'm not careful.

My T' Bucket was a 4 second car when and if I could keep the front end down....... "Weeeeeeeeee Daddy!"

Ahhh...wasn't that the one whose first test drive was done without a steering wheel, Alan?

Horsepower in small cars ROCKS! Oh heck, what am I saying - horsepower ROCKS!

angela

Drop a HEMI in it the back seat!

Angela - It was without steering wheel AND without brakes.

"Weeeeeeeeee Daddy" is right!

I was just wondering what the weight estimates are for Vintage Speedsters. Anyone have a close estimate? I have a super fat boy so I know my tires are heavier.

Marty G.

They generally run around 1700-1750 lbs.

Angela, are you really letting Steve sell the TR550??? I have a friend at work who is looking for a good 550.

Tomm

Yup, initial driveway road test was w/o a steering wheel or brakes....
I do like a challenge !

If something's not blowing up, making the dogs bark, little kids scream or just flat out on fire - well you're not having enough fun!

angela

Desi, I've seen the turbo 2332 do something like that on the drag strip. You'd probably not be wanting to do that, though. They usually (from the few I've watched) take the belt off the fan or remove all the cooling bits to make 'em run that fast.
On street tires and with as little weight as we have, you might want to consider the ... dare I say it ... modified Type IV.

(There are little horns poking through my forehead as I type this.)

Cory, good to hear from you!! keep a eye out for those camel spiders...yikes. You and your bride need to visit us here in So.Cal.
when you return. Cabanaboy

I run my 2332 turbo with the belt on and muffler and MT ET street tires! No need for a type four!!!! Sorry Jake.

http://media.putfile.com/Sat-May-24th

With my scooby motor making 185kw on the wheels from a rolling start I have taken out a BMW M5 which is supposed to do 0 - 100km/h (62mph) in 4.6 seconds.

I don't ever give it horns from a standing start, I do accept that my gearbox and drive lines are not designed for such huge power, I just drive with a little respect for the drive line.

Should I start spinning a wheel I back off and then re-apply the power.

Whether a beetle drive line without serious mods could survive a sub 4 second 0 - 60 I have my doubts.