Nice calm discussion you guys are having with lotsa different viewpoints.
I happened to be talking to Olav Aaen today. He is experienced, level headed, and honest as many of you know.
4-strokes are big in ATV's, but not in sleds, and if anything, the 4-strokes will probably go away rather than the 2-strokes in sleds (Olav's opinion)
Evidence: All the major snowmobile mfger's have been putting big money into 2-strokes to make them clean and quiet. The exhaust systems are already very quiet these days and they are just getting started. (Olav's opinion)
Yamaha is the only one seriously pushing a 4-stroke in a sled-and that is probably because they happen to have that nice R-1 motor. (Olav's opinion)
So, if you must, work on an equivalent bike motor with a tranny for those who don't think thay need to keep both their hands on the steering wheel
-but don't think you absolutely need to have a 4-stroke replacement to prepare for the ultimate demise of the snowmobile 2-stroke (my opinion)
If the current crop of advanced road race F500's like the Novakar had been at this state of development 10 years ago, this class would probably have killed FF1600. (my opinion)
F1000 wil become a ho-hum class eventually and it will have missed the boat for better participation w/out a nice 2-stroke equivalent in the class. (my opinion)
Chuck
From: "Steve K. Thompson" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Reply-To: [email protected] To: <[email protected]> Subject: RE: [F500] F500/F600 Proposal Date: Tue, 27 Mar 2007 18:26:48 -0400 Art, A couple of comments: > And if remanufactured engines were a problem, why is anyone suggesting > that > a remanufactured MC engine is the way to go? Replace a CVT with a > transmission? C'mon MC proponents, in 20 years we will all be driving > around > with CVTs. It is the most efficient way for power transmission and keeps > the > engine at song and in the power band, plus no shifting. It's a racer's > dream > come true. Even F1 wanted to go to a CVT. Do they know anything? :-) Push belt and Toroidal CVTs generally used in passenger vehicles are MUCH different than what we run. The concept can be similar but the execution, and the drivetrain losses along with it, is very very different. There is a LOT of inefficiency generated through that rubber belt. Gears are a pretty efficient as a method of transferring power. I would personally venture that the CVT is used in our applications due to the very narrow hp peak of the 2 stroke as opposed to a somewhat flatter 4 stroke engine. We may all be driving CVTs in 20 years, but they will have far different designs than what we use. > We are unique in the SCCA formula world. We go fast for peanuts. Don't > understand the CVT? Hell, Mike would be glad to talk to anyone about how > to > tune them. He'll even give you his setup, I know he gives mine away to any > soloist that asks :-). Help? Mike is always there to help. Ask any number > of > Runoff people who helped them out at that event in the past 10 years. Some > would have not even turned a lap without his help, all given freely. So, > all > this talk about not understanding CVTs, not understanding 2 cycles, no one > will help, is just so much baloney. All anyone has to do is ask. Mike is > certainly not the only one willing to give answers. True, Mike is a great guy and very willing to help. We've had nothing but good experiences when dealing with him. However the whole point is attracting NEW people, not supporting the ones already here. WE know about Mike and others who are more than willing to help. The guy looking at running a Spec Miata (disgusting as that may be) or a F5 doesn't know he exists and sees another hurdle to getting on track. Gears are a known quantity to most enthusiasts. Most auto enthusiasts drive a stick on the street. Most of them suck at it and would be faster and safer in an automatic. Unfortunately that doesn't mean they buy one. Steve
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