Jolle wrote: ↑20 Dec 2018, 21:02
Big Tea wrote: ↑20 Dec 2018, 19:17
Jolle wrote: ↑20 Dec 2018, 15:34
Flat engines, for racing are just heavy, high cog (because of the exhaust has to stick out on the bottom), aerodynamically difficult due to the intake sticking out away from the center line of the car, less stiff then an V shape block... all advantages they have slightly (less hight, good COG, easy plumbing) in road cars disappears when you change the sump system.
In the way the engine is mounted to the chassis and how it's used in a racing car as a structure, nothing beats a V. All the intakes and outlets are in the right angle, on the right sides and the structural stiffness is great.
I do like flat engines, I drive one myself (a BMW R1100) but it only works because there is a big sump under there, else a V (like a Guzzi) would be so much simpler.
I also ride a BMW R1100RS, and come maintenance time I notice the temperature on each cylinder is not maintained the same. Not a huge problem on a road vehicle, but I would imagine this would be more of a problem in F1.
So another disadvantage could be heat distribution?
Good chance your throttlebody's are not in sync. With a bit of tube, two bottles and 5 minutes of work it should be fine.
Heat distribution should be equal as a V or even an inline. Whatever you are running, if one cylinder is leaner then the other, you have a problem....
Sorry about the off topic....
Thats how I found the heat difference. I could not get things right, so stuck a probe on both sides so I was adjusting when they were the same. It is not just the head or pot, but the whole 'lump'
I don't know if it is metal density internally or air/oil being hotter in one part of its travel etc. Anyway, with the help of a heat gun I got them balanced, but I don't think it affects the idle, which is what I suffered with.
( Turned out to be a jet slightly oval. thanks.
)
I could see this being a problem with 6 'pots' and the accuracy needed in F1 though. With all the metal around a V it must naturally be more stable, even if just when it is up to temperature.
When arguing with a fool, be sure the other person is not doing the same thing.