Filed under: I.C.E., Suzuki, Motorcycles
Hartley reworks Hayabusa powerplant for easy use in autos
We've been enamored with the idea of stuffing a Suzuki Hayabusa-derived V8 engine into an appropriately light and sporty four-wheeled conveyance since we first learned of such a powerplant's existence last Spring. The task of creating a 'Zuki-powered sled is set to become significantly easier now that Hartley Engineering has managed to rework the 'Busa block a bit. An entirely new crankcase has been designed and hewn from a huge chunk of 6061 T6 aluminum. It may not be a V8, but this new inline-four engine, known as the H2, is a diminutive powerhouse that can bolt right up to a standard automotive transmission. Why is this a big deal? Motorcycle gearboxes generally don't have a dedicated reverse gear and usually output their high-revving power via a chain. Now, the prospect of a 140-pound engine with over 200 horses powering something along the lines of a Super 7 has us salivating once again. Those with equally imaginative minds can now begin plotting their next projects, as the H2 is expected to be ready for purchase in early '09.
[Source: Hartley Enterprises via The Kneeslider]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Aaron 7:35PM (12/10/2008)
I'd like to see 4 of these put together.
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Frankly 7:39PM (12/10/2008)
Someone put it in a Datsun 2000!
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Dunc 7:43PM (12/10/2008)
Has no one seen the Caterham RST-V8 Levante?
It is a regular Caterham with one of these Hayabusa V8's in it. It has 500 hp and a far better power-to-weight ratio than a Veyron.
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ME 7:05PM (12/11/2008)
There are several vehicles that have better Power to Weight ratio's than the Veyron.
Dunc 7:36PM (12/12/2008)
Well I know that, but I'm using it as an example because it has an engine like the one they are talking about in the article. They mentioned putting it in an Elise, or Caterham, but it has already been done and it doesn't have 200 hp, it has 500.
zamafir 7:52PM (12/10/2008)
Where have I seen this... oh... that's right, it's been in the DP1 for over 2 years now.
http://dpcars.net/dp1test/da.htm
It's as though Sep 06 is calling me all over again.
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Jeremy Korzeniewski 10:35PM (12/10/2008)
Not quite. This is a new development. The H1 engine is what is in the car from 2006. This is a 4 cylinder, dubbed the H2, that uses a new block that hooks up to a standard car tranny and accepts the guts of a hayabusa engine.
jk
spdracerut 7:53PM (12/10/2008)
Sweet...... I really wanted to put one in an Elise. Another downside of the motorcycle tranny, I'm sure it wasn't designed to handle the load that would be put on it by a vehicle weighing 4-5 times what it originally came in.
So that engine hooked to a car.... with a turbo... revving 12k or so... seems like it'd be fun!
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dumpling 9:41PM (12/10/2008)
The problem with using motorcycle engines is indeed it's gearbox.
Sometime ago they put the Hayabusa engine into a dedicated entry level formula racing car chassis.
The problem was when racers would inevitably spin out and/or find themselves going backwards unintentionally. If the racer wasn't able to jump on the clutch right away, the gearboxes.. and thus engines.. were lunched every single time.
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Noah 10:05PM (12/10/2008)
Saw a youtube video of a hayabusa engine in a Smart car. That thing ripped.
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HotRodzNKustoms 11:43PM (12/10/2008)
If it wasn't for the $30k price tag I'd put the V8 in my miata
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Dondonel 7:24AM (12/11/2008)
It's not only the price but also the engine life. Previously those V8s made from 2 motorcycle bolted together lasted about 30 hours at the track, that's like 10 times less than a normal engine, approx the equivalent of 20,000 miles on the road. This is very poor engine life.
jgp 3:18AM (12/11/2008)
IIRC, Caterham once did this with a Honda Super Blackbird engine.
I'd like Caterham to do the same with the Blackbird-eater...
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Franz 3:52AM (12/11/2008)
I can definitely say that if the price is right on these, I'm getting one. I've been toying with the idea of building a trail rail for years but hated the idea of the chain drive & no reverse gear option (there were a few companies I know of like Downs Engineering and Quaife that did gear drives and/or transmissions for the 'Busa engine but they're expensive... like 5 grand and up.) With this motor, I could get a junkyard box and be on my merry way.
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moe6 4:18AM (12/11/2008)
Caterham V8 Levante. It's been plastered across Top Gear and EVO magazines for the past 1-2 months. Shocking that an "autoblog" wouldn't have known this by now :P.
Very pretty carbon fibre bits from Reverie too on it.
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weezy 7:56AM (12/11/2008)
http://www.autoblog.com/2008/02/26/caterham-rst-v8-levante-cracks-the-1000-bhp-per-ton-mark-scares/
moe6 3:02PM (12/11/2008)
I said "know", not whether they've posted it or not :P.
azrael4h 5:59AM (12/11/2008)
I have many visions of much evil in mind. Hayabusa I4 is a Triumph Spitfire!
Though it is funny half the commenters here can't tell the difference between a V8 and an I4. V8 came out in '06. This is an I4, and came out in '07. Normal timing for Autoblog, unless it's a Mustang post.
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Scot 10:53AM (12/11/2008)
I want to put one of these in an old mini cooper....!!! That would be so awesome.
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dac 7:01PM (12/11/2008)
Believe it or not, that would be a displacement upgrade for the mini. Oh man, 200hp, 1400lbs and that lovely handling would make for a sweet car.