Plastic Engines.......

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plastic_automotive_engine

This looks interesting for a race block.

Makes for easy fixing in the pits...

Their is even talk about Carbon Fiber / Polymer Crankshafts ?!?!?!?

Leave it to Ford to try something new. Machining tools would have to be different to compensate for the different material properties I'm guessing. But what would worry me is the melting point, warpage, and how much does it expand and contract with the heat compared to the metal parts? Wouldn't clearances start to get thrown off? I don't think this would ever be able to be made into a high performance engine. If we have to upgrade to sportsman blocks because the stock blocks wont work then I don't think this could handle it.

But, maybe this could be cheaper and after every run the engine could be changed out with a new one. It would be cool to put it to the test and see how it handles boost. I heard of them making plastic bearing races but an engine? Hey who knows, it could work if they figure out how to work with it and make it stronger.

From what I read it was the cost of tooling and production that lead to them stopping in the 80's with the program, not the materials ability to do the job.

I was talking with a couple of Scientist at Oak Ridge a couple of years back and they gave me some insite as to the materials that are being developed, its utterly amazing where things are going to go in the next 20-30 years.

The reason we run "beefier" sportsman blocks is due to the sheer amount of mass we throw around within the confines of the crankcase! 2 bolt mains can only take so much rotational velocity...

BUT, make some serious power with lightweight "plastic" and I'm sure it will present a whole new level of problems...


Dave, you bring up a good point about materials in 20-30 years. Did you see the internet article about the flexible glass that Dow produced back in the 60's that is just catching on today due to the need for lightweight and flexible computer and TV screens...

Also, look at gov't projects like the SR71 and the stealth fighter/bomber... If we had the materials and know how to develop and test that 20-30, hell 40-50 years ago imagine what we are going to do in 20-30 years from now...

imagine what we are going to do in 20-30 years from now...


They already have that now.... its just that it will take 20-30 more before we will see it

res0rli9 wrote:imagine what we are going to do in 20-30 years from now...


They already have that now.... its just that it will take 20-30 more before we will see it

Exactly!

Can you guys imaging a 800" 4valve ohc injected engine that weighs under 400#...... OMFG....