Why engines are the winners in Gen3
By Andrew Clarke
Date posted: 20 September 2023
In the latest issue of AUTO ACTION both Gen3 Supercars engine builders say they are surprised at the reliability of the new engines which are bringing in the first round of cost savings for Supercars teams.
Both Herrod Performance Engines and KRE Race Engines have started mid-season maintenance on Supercars engines and it appears that they have both met the goals set in terms of reliability and running costs. Except for the ongoing engine mapping issues for Ford, the engines score a big tick.
To date, there has not been one engine failure and most of the engines have now run for around 7,000km and the first refreshes have revealed very little wear.
“We did them between Townsville and Sydney,” KRE boss Ken McNamara told AUTO ACTION from Sandown after pulling down the Chevrolet Gen3 engines.
Under the bonnet of a Chevrolet Gen3 Camaro.Image: Bruce Williams
“We got all 14 motors back over a two-and-a-half, three-week period, and we basically changed valve springs, timing chains, spark plugs, and belts.
“All the power was still good; no degradation. They went back to the teams and they ran them at Tailem Bend and then we put fresh ones in here for Sandown and Bathurst. We’ll pull them back out and put the other motors back in to finish off Gold Coast and Adelaide, which should be around 10,000km.”
He estimated the savings each season would be more than $80,000 per car for his clients, and that might get even more when he cuts back the travel next year.
The Gen3 story in the blue garages is similar.
KRE Engines’ Kenny McNamara at Sandown. Image:Bruce Williams
“I was very surprised when we started pulling them down because we really didn’t know what to expect,” HPE’s Rob Herrod told AUTO ACTION of the Ford engines.
“We’d done durability testing at Ford in Dearborn, and they were really good, but they were engines that had been running on an AVL Dyno and not in racing conditions.
“Now we’ve got engines coming at 4,500, 5,000 and up to 6,000Ks, and I’ve got to tell you, I really believe we really could have just buttoned them up again and sent them out the door.
“We changed things like timing chains and gear sets, and water pumps.”
Read more from McNamara and Herrod about what is next in the full story available in the current issue of AUTO ACTION.
For more of the latest motorsport news, pick up the latest issue of AUTO ACTION or subscribe HERE
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