So when will someone make a gear drive

[K4fxd]

like the Indy engine.

Sponsored

 

[Firsttexan]

Why?

 

[K4fxd]

More precise cam timing and it would allow 10,000 plus RPM

 

[2022 Mach 1]

Gear drives have more parasitic loss and can transfer crank harmonics to your drive train

 

[shogun32]

I'll settle for chain tensioners that are one-way, and don't lose oil pressure.
The Honda VFR750/800 had gear-driven cams and it was definitely unique.

 

[K4fxd]

Gear drives have more parasitic loss and can transfer crank harmonics to your drive train

Gears don't stretch or have slack that causes unwanted lobe center changes, they don't break or need sliders which add parasitic losses.

 

[2022 Mach 1]

Gears don't stretch or have slack that causes unwanted lobe center changes, they don't break or need sliders which add parasitic losses.

One detail that needs to be remembered is that as the engine heats up it expands, so the actual distance from the crankshaft to the camshaft(s) increases. The drive shaft design easily tolerates that but a series of spur gears will develop backlash.

 

[shogun32]

true, but packaging is a major headache. Back then chain technology sucked. With hi-vo chains we got past that. Plus our engines don't rev to 12,000-18,000 where LONG chains become a liability again.

Modern consumer engines have just one rule - CHEAP, CHEAPER, CHEAPEST.
That gearset would easily be $800-1000 to replace vs $40 for a pair of chinesium bicycle chain.

 

[K4fxd]

Plus our engines don't rev to 12,000-18,000 where LONG chains become a liability again.

Ahh, but they could. With modern piston and rod technology we wouldn't need to reduce the stroke.

 

[sk47]

Hello; Noise and cost likely the bigger of the issues. All those straight cut gears will whine. Straight cut will be stronger so worth the noise for some gear heads.
Cost is always part of "how fast do you want to go". So will not make it to a general public car but aftermarket might support it.
Assuming there would not be too many fiddley bits to work, the potential issue might be oiling all those gears. Here is where I show my ignorance. Not sure how the stock setup is oiled if it is oiled. I do not think timing belts are oiled, but timing chains will be.

 

[GregO]

Isn’t time the cam drive system and cams are tossed into the scrap pile of primitive thinking ?

https://www.freevalve.com/freevalve-technology/

 

[sk47]

It’s time the cam drive system and cams are tossed into the scrap pile of primitive thinking ?

https://www.freevalve.com/freevalve-technology/

Hello; I think the air type system is used in F1. I will not be an early adopter. Hope enough others give it a try and work out the bugs.

 

[Strokerswild]

Once upon a time, someone (Milodon maybe?) made a gear drive for the 427 SOHC. It essentially solved the issues that the SOHC's long timing chains presented.

I would imagine that it's doable for the Coyote. But at what cost?

 

[K4fxd]

It’s time the cam drive system and cams are tossed into the scrap pile of primitive thinking ?

That would be sweet, too bad the greenie weenies are killing ICE.

 

[Cobra Jet]

Gear drives have been around for many years and available for "hot rodding" V8's (not just on Indy cars)... good thought...

but . . .

Can you just imagine the whiney-ass'd posts that would saturate this site in every sub-forum if the Coyote (and its variants) were gear driven??!! It would be nothing but "my engine is making a loud whine noise, it's too loud, it sounds like a supercharger, how do I stop it".

Think of it as the "my engine makes a tick".....but multiply it by 1,000,000%....

Gear drives are cool, less parts breakage, no chains, more precise - and I can deal with the noise - but it's just not for everyone...

Sponsored