Flat plane crank.

[mgbrv8]

It looks like these guys are making a flatplane crank for the gentleman in Germany that put the LT5 in a Opel. Very interesting

Dave Hetrick

[mgbrv8]

He had a oil pump fail and it took out the factory crank

Dave Hetrick

[FU]

Sam CH ZR1 comes to this site once in a while as well the Corvette forum. I'm pretty sure that he is the wrench on this car.

[WARP TEN]

Didn't Kevin in Chicago try a flat plane crank? Kevin, maybe you can chime in . --Bob

[A26B]

I am working with Norbert as the go-between with Moldex to make the flat plane crank. I consulted with Graham for Norbert about flat plane cranks before ordering from Moldex. Before talking to Graham, I had no idea there are two different designs of flat plane cranks for a V8. One has alternating rod throws, the other has the center two throws on the same side. The application depends on the type of intake, common plenum or isolated banks which includes individual cylinder throttle bodies.

No question the oil pump failed but it may have failed due to the main bearings. The thrust surface of #3 was gone and #2 & #4 were toast. The main bearing failure could have allowed excessive crank walk & vibration which destroyed the oil pump. The likely scenario is oil starvation initiated the main bearing & rod bearing failure, precipitating the oil pump catastrophe. In either regard, the last I spoke with him, a dry sump oil system is in the rebuild plan.

Norbert is in pursuit of a really hi-revving engine with the lightest possible rotating mass.

As a side note, the main journal studs developed by Todd Pepmeier will be used in the new engine.

When I came to the ZR-1 arena, as a johnny-come-lately in 2002, there were less than a dozen 415 LT5's and even fewer 385's, 368's being the more popular modification due to cost. The continuing development of the LT5 modifications for the masses is incredible, with displacement pushed upwards to 440 & more economical than ever. It's the little engine that could.

[secondchance]

Originally Posted by A26B

One has alternating rod throws

- Ford's new Voodoo?

Originally Posted by A26B

the other has the center two throws on the same side.

- True boxer configuration?

I truly look forward to hearing of completed boxer LT5. I wonder if the resulting engine sound will be similar to "ripping canvas" sound of italian boxer engines.

[LGAFF]

Originally Posted by secondchance

- Ford's new Voodoo?

- True boxer configuration?

I truly look forward to hearing of completed boxer LT5. I wonder if the resulting engine sound will be similar to "ripping canvas" sound of italian boxer engines.

Boxed LT-5 was already done.....it was built on a fuel economy play however....

[rkreigh]

there was a lotus race car recently for sale on ebay that had a small displacement short stroke lt5 with a flat plane crank engine and a carbon fiber "calliope" style manifold with a cool air box and scoop on top that stuck out above the car

engine was reported to make 700+ hp at over 8k rpms

car was a mid engine setup and looked to be very well engineered

wonder if graham can tell us a bit more of the r&d work that went into that engine

the crank is definitely lighter and less windage and if the 526 HP the litte voodoo cranks out and the Ferrari faithful mondelloo stalions have to say that there really is something to the efficiency and strength

the voodoo goes to 8200 rpms and looks like a pretty spiffy little deal.

[XfireZ51]

Jerry,

That modifications continue to push the limits of the LT-5 is just a testament to the forethought and engineering put into the motor. It's also a testament to a small community of enthusiasts and their ingenuity to keep this motor relevant.
Maybe someday, the rest of the automotive world will appreciate the importance of this motor in the history of Corvette.

[tpepmeie]

What's the stroke on the new crank? Lots of counterweight, compared to the Lotus FP cranks. The LeMans race cranks were 92.4mm stroke, which is actually quite big for a FP configuration.