Pages

Tuesday, March 8, 2016

Lotus Valiant. Beven has a knack for digging up things like this.

The Lotus Valiant

All information on this page was provided by Russell L Shreve
Russell Shreve wrote: This is the Lotus 11B with the first HyperPak dyno test engine. It is the first race car to successfully use the engine as a stressed member of the chassis. Colin Chapman asked me how I made it work, because he had tried it in an early design of his that was a disaster. He used my answer to design the Ford-Indy-Lotus. I would like to find the Lotus-Valiant. Maybe someone out there knows where it is, but has no idea of its history.
Lotus-Valiant chassis rear left quarter view ith body off.  The load path is from the rear suspension points. through the central structure around the transmission, through an aluminum plate between the transmission and engine, through the engine to the front suspension.  The differential is a Valiant rear axle I modified to a DeDion arrangement. Gear ratios were changed by exchanging the three differential assemblies, each with a  different ratio. After unbolting the half-shafts, the differential assembly detached from the frame by removing three bolts. 

EX-1:
The dyno development engine for the HyperPak.  Note the Mylar Valiant sticker. 

Lotus-Valiant at early race before paint.  If you wondered where the carburetor went, now you know.  This system worked perfectly even at 186 mph! 



Body
ConstructionAluminum fabrication with light weight, aerodynamic shape
TypeLotus Mark Eleven
FrameSpace structure of welded steel tubing and riveted on stressed sheet aluminum; engine used as stressed member to give chassis torsional rigidity.
Length135 inches
Width62 inches
Height27" (at cowl), 33" (at windscreen)
Wheelbase86 inches
Tread7 inches
Engine
SourceValiant HyperPak
Type6-cylinder in-line overhead-valve
Bore3.41 inches
Stroke3.125 inches
Capacity170 cubic inches (2.79 liters)
Horsepower182
Fuel SystemSide-mounted 7 gallon aluminum fuel tank, engine mounted mechanical fuel pump
Transmission
Warner T-10 4-speed synchromesh
Differential
SourceModified Valiant
MountingSprung
Ratios3.23, 3.55, 3.91:1
Front Suspension
TypeIndependent
Standard production partsKnuckles, hubs, steering arms, upper control arms
SteeringRack and pinion
Fabricated partsAnti-roll bar, lower control arms, coil-shock springing
Rear Suspension
TypeDeDion: 4-link parallel geometry with right hand lower link triangulated, coil-shock springing
Wheels and Tires
Goodyear racing tiresFront 4.5 - 5.0, Rear 5.5 - 5.9
Wheels15" Dunlop steel rim and wire spoke with center knock-off mounting; 4.5" width front, 5.5 rear
Brakes
TypeGirling 9.125" disk with alloy calipers
Front mountingWheels
Rear mountingInboard, at differential
Cooling
RadiatorCustom made, high density core, cross flow, separate header tank
Weight
Overall1406 lb with full tank of gas (7 gallons)
Distribution45/55
Weight:Horsepower ratio8.6 lb/hp
Engine533 lb
Final drive73 lb
Transmission (w/propshaft, etc)104 lb
Front suspension47 lb
Rear suspension31 lb
Steering25 lb
Wheels and tires, incl spare152 lb
Brakes60 lb
Electrical38 lb including battery, wiring, instruments, controls
Cooling23 lb
Chassis24 lb including exhaust, fuel system, clutch
Frame106 lb steel, 40 lb aluminum
Body64 lb - includes 6 lb seats and trim
Liquids87 lb (fuel, water, water)

1 comment:

  1. Smeetsy says.....I am pretty sure some of the slant 6 Valiant motors were alloy.
    This might have had a bit to do with the story!!

    ReplyDelete