Thoughts and ideas on engine and tranny models

I haven't started modeling yet, but I've been going over some ideas, and thought I'd nail down the requirements first.

I assume the new models need to fit within the footprint of the current models...the transmission needs to accommodate the rear axle and rear wing positions; the top and dimensions of the valve covers need to fall in the same locations as the current valve covers;  any changes to the exhaust needs to roughly follow the path of the current exhaust; the induction needs to fall, relatively, in the same location as the current induction;  etc.

Some of the thoughts I have also, maybe, apply to the future engine formula...

Here's what's been going through my mind...

First, I want to update the current model, add some details that might only be noticed if you look close. Things like a dry-sump reservoir, cooling and oil lines, maybe plug wires and a distributor (though I've been playing with the idea of distributorless electronic ignition boxes or coil-packs on the rear bulkhead instead ). 

Second, model a newer version of the same engine. The current engine looks like a standard push-rod American V-8. I'd like to model something that looks like a more modern OHV V-8. This will maybe require a different valve-cover template for skinning purposes, but I don't really see that as detrimental.

Third, I'd like to model a ferrari-like V-12 engine that fits within the current footprint of the engine and tranny. I suspect this will require shifting the faces where the engine and tranny meet rearward slightly..stretching the engine, making it longer, and compressing the tranny, making it shorter. As long as I tweak the tranny shape so that the axles and the wing still line up, it should be OK. This may require modifying the two scoop models in order to fit the engine properly, but I don't know yet...a 'small displacement' V-12 may fit just fine.

Here's where my thoughts turn towards the engine formula itself.

RPM ranges and power bands!

My thinking is that the current, American-V8-type model, should be tied to an engine design that has a relatively low rev range - about 8500 RPM max - and a really fat power band. The V12 model should be tied to a much higher revving engine with a much narrower power band, maybe somewhere around 10,500 - 11,500 max revs. The OHV model could be tied to an engine that falls somewhere in the middle. Maybe 9,500 RPM max and a corresponding power band.

I also think that the rate of engine acceleration would allow all three engines to hit max rev from idle at about the same time. as a way of making them performance neutral. But I may not know enough about the engine formulas and stuff to know if that's one of the ways to achieve that, it's just that it seems to me that the higher revving engines should also rev up faster as well....

Anyhow, The idea would be to either make them essentially performance-neutral, or make them a budget item for the engine builders if/when we finally go that route.

We could of course ignore the engine formula entirely at make the models strictly cosmetic.

[edit] I also want to model an alternative foam air-cleaner for the horns-only induction model.

I'd like to see the valve covers have a little more shape, and lean less on textures.  They are a bit too hard/sharp edged boxy right now.  Each variant would have a different template.

I see two ways to move forward.

The first way is to make it easier on ourselves, and also make more parts interchangeable, and stick to V8s.  That way the intakes and exhausts (if we have options there, which would be cool) could apply to all engines.  The exhausts do not need to route the same as the existing one at all.   They can route anywhere that makes sense, and can even merge all into 1 (like GP2 engines), or even never merge at all (like some WWII fighter engines).

The other way is to just make complete engine/exhaust/intake packages, simply making sure they all fit the bulkhead, suspension, and wing.  In this case you can do the full V12, a boxer (flat) 12, or whatever you want.  In fact, if this were the way we went, we could have an offy option (beefy I4).  I wouldn't make it so tall though.  I'd go offy-inspired, and just do an I4, or maybe even an I6, with trumpets on the side and exhaust on the other side.

 After looking at the Gasoline Alley mod, I like the idea of an offy-inspired, but I'd probably go with an inline-6. Although, if we ever thought about doing a wingless trainer-type...something like a Formula Ford...in inline 4 could be cool for that. But I'd want to run something like that on smaller carting-type tracks and I'm not sure if there would be enough interest to support that amount of work needed...anyway, that's another show...

I'll look into heading down both paths initially and see which one generates the most interest/excitement, either in the community at large, or in the modeler's imagination...

My two ways to move forward are not actually mutually exclusive.  If engine X is designed to fit engine Y's induction and exhaust, cool, then they can swap.  If not, this just means they cannot.  Embracing both ways simply means not all permutations of engine, exhaust, and induction are valid.  In fact, this is already the case if you throw rollbar into the mix, which it is, because it conflicts with some inductions.

I propose the following engines:

• Merlin -- 90 degree V8.  (Ford Cosworth DFV analog). [airbox, scoop, trumpets] Use what we have now until we have upgraded engine and tranny.  A new version will fit the existing induction and exhaust.   The curve will be a new beefy torquey curve.   It would still use the currect sound (cosworth).
• Velocotech -- 65 degree V12.  (Ferrari analog). [trumpets] Dennis can go wild on this puppy, as it is the classic Italian V12 form factor, and Velocotech is our red valve cover brand.  It would use the current velocotech curve.  This would probably need a V12 sound.
• Ottodyn -- I4.  (Offenhauser analog).  [trumpets, turbo] I'm doing this one, and have already started exploring it.  It would use the current ottodyn power curve and new throaty burbly sounds if I can craft them.
• GRID -- 72 degree V10 (Renault/Mecachrome/Supertec analog).  [airbox] This should be easy to mutate from the redone V8.  The curve will be the existing GRID curve.  This one should be made such that it can reuse the Merlin (existing) airbox (which means it can deploy without even having the 10 trumpets made)
• RPD -- 80 degree V6 (Honda RA168E analog).  [turbo]  Dennis would likely do this one, due to nameplate.  This one should be pretty easy though, since it'd have just a cowl for induction, and most of the engine except the valve covers would be hidden.  This engine will be peaky and have boost controls.

edit: added minimum set of needed inductions in brackets per engine

edit edit:  Why is Merlin the 'DFV', the primary V8 workhorse, and not GRID?  Well, several reasons.  First, the funky GRID power curve does not seem appropriate for a DFV-like V8, while that Renault lineage V10 has all sorts of crazy offshoots, so it seemed better to have a funky curve.  Second, Cosworth is UK, as was the real WWII Merlin (and the US used them both more than the UK did).  They both have blue logos.  Finally, all the GRID guys seem to like airboxes, and the Renault always had an airbox, and it is a small implementation saving to do the V10 with just an airbox.

 I was looking at the current F1-Classic update, getting some inspiration for V-12 models and I think I found the perfect sound for a V-12 engine...the sound they use for the Honda is just plain wonderful...I kno we had their models in our mod before, do we have permission to reuse some of their assets?