1986 RA 16X E F1 engine.

[BD]

1986 was the year had the most powerful F1 engine –EVER!

Basic stats for Honda’s RA 166E:
1.5 Liter V6 with twin turbo @ 12,000 RPM.
Max Power:
Over 1000hp during race trim
Up to 1500 hp can be achieved during qualifying trim. Dude - That is 1,000 hp per liter!!! On an engine that actually last more than 10 seconds!

How did Honda Achieved this?

A quick and simple explanation:
If you take a 1986 Honda Civic Engine, which is a 1.5-liter inline four that was capable of 90 hp @ 6,000RPM. You take off the exhaust and muffler; you will get it up to 100 hp. Double the RPM you will have 200 hp. Add 5 bars of pressure (5 atmosphere), you have here… voila, a 1000hp engine. To make it last through the race, exotic metals were used in the V6, magnesium and titanium were used.

Petrol companies (Mobil and Shell) developed a very thick fuel mixture to meet the rule of F1. Even though official octane number was about 100, but the effect of the fuel was high, acting more like a 115 octane.

The engine idles at around 6,000 RPM, and redlines at 12,000 RPM. The cooling system was so effective that Honda had to install a by-pass valve to make sure the engine stays at a proper operating temp.

Honda Engine had about average of 100hp edge over Ferrari, Ford, BMW, Tag Porsche, etc.

Race rule is also interesting, the teams had to finish the race in one tank of gas (220 liters in 1986), so Honda had the most advance computer control to help conserve fuel during the race when needed, and the drivers had four settings to work with during the race. Porsche did not have that luxury, and failed to finish the race on many occasions. The telemetry is kept secret and Honda engineers knew exactly how to deal with any unexpected situation. They were the first one to use that system.

I’m not a engineer, but this stuff was published in a article after the F1 turbo era ended in 1988. It is too bad FIA ended the turbo program because no one could beat Honda for 4 years… they were wrong… Honda dominated with NA V10/V12 engine till 1991.

Hope you guys enjoy this post, this entire technological marvel happened during the development of our beloved car, the NSX. And I’m glad I own part of a automotive history… Where is the link between F1 and NSX? Honda’s F1 driver Ayrton Senna help develop the chassis and suspension set up of the car. And many engine technology was transferred to the engine in our cars…

 

[Edwardo]

Very interesting read. I think it would have been interesting if F1 allowed turbochargers again. Because of the reduced costs to build high powered engines, It would have at least allowed a few more teams to enter the series - something I think would improve the sport.

I think it would be cool to see what the f1 engine builders could do with an inline 4 cylinder 1 liter engine with a single turbocharger

 

[BD]

The rule "Turbo" was never officially allowed during the Turbo era of 70's and 80's. The original "force induction" was created back in the early days of F1 and was for 1.5 Liter Supercharge formula, when the rest of the fields were on 4.5 lither NA. However, Renault was the front runner, and it was so unreliable that the opposing teams didn't want to protest the rule. However, during the 1980's when Turbo cars became more reliable, and most of the teams switched in order to be competitve. The rule was ignored since every one was using the system. However, it wasn't till Honda's domination befefore the rule was re-written. In a way, FIA is somewhat racist against a small Japanese company (let me remind you that Honda was a very small company during that time), and the rule change was created to disrupt the domination. They wanted to see European manufactures to be at the top of the game.

As you can see, modern day F1 is so powerful that 2.4 liter V8 can creat over 700ps. that is more than the 1989 V10's.

 

[Honda F1 Racing]

However, it wasn't till Honda's domination befefore the rule was re-written. In a way, FIA is somewhat racist against a small Japanese company (let me remind you that Honda was a very small company during that time), and the rule change was created to disrupt the domination. They wanted to see European manufactures to be at the top of the game.

As you can see, modern day F1 is so powerful that 2.4 liter V8 can creat over 700ps. that is more than the 1989 V10's.

And even after turbochargers were banned from F1 after 1988, Honda still continued to dominate F1 with 3 more Constructor's and Driver's Championships before withdrawing temporarily after 1992! Take that FIA! :biggrin: