How big is the engine in a Formula 1 race car?

Answer 1

For a decade F1 cars had run with 3.0 litre naturally-aspirated V10 engines, but in an attempt to slow the cars down, the Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile (FIA) mandated that as of the 2006 season, the cars must be powered by 2.4 litre naturally-aspirated engines in the V8 engine configuration that have no more than four valves per cylinder. Further technical restrictions such as a ban on variable intake trumpets have also been introduced with the new 2.4 L V8 formula to prevent the teams from achieving higher rpm and horsepower too quickly. As of the start of the 2009 season all engines are now limited to 18,000 rpm in an effort to improve engine reliability and to cut costs down in general.

Once the teams started using exotic alloys in the late 1990s, the FIA banned the use of exotic materials in engine construction, and only aluminum and iron alloys were allowed for the pistons, cylinders, connecting rods, and crankshafts. Nevertheless through engineering on the limit and the use of such devices as pneumatic valves, modern F1 engines have revved up to over 18,000 rpm since approximately the 2000 season. Almost each year the FIA has enforced material and design restrictions to limit power, otherwise the 3.0L V10 engines would easily have exceeded 22,000 rpm and well over 1,000 hp (745 kW) . Even with the restrictions the V10s in the 2005 season were reputed to develop 960 hp (715 kW) . The new 2.4L V8 engines are reported to develop between 700 hp (520 kW) and 780 hp (582 kW).

The lesser funded teams (the former Minardi team spends less than 50 million, while Ferrari spent hundreds of millions of pounds a year developing their car) had the option of keeping the current V10 for another season, but with a rev limiter to keep them from being competitive with the most powerful V8 engines. The only team to take this option was the Toro Rosso team, which was the reformed and regrouped Minardi.

The engines produce over 100,000 BTU per minute (1,750 kW) of heat that must be dumped, usually to the atmosphere via radiators and the exhaust, which can reach temperatures over 1,000 degrees Celsius (1,800 to 2,000 degrees Fahrenheit). They consume around 650 liters (23 ft³) of air per second . Race fuel consumption rate is normally around 75 liters per 100 kilometers traveled (3.1 US mpg - 3.8 UK mpg - 1.3 km/l). Nonetheless a Formula One engine is over 20% more efficient at turning fuel into power than most small commuter cars, considering their craftsmanship.

All cars have the engine located between the driver and the rear axle. The engines are a stressed member in most cars, meaning that the engine is part of the structural support framework; being bolted to the cockpit at the front end, and transmission and rear suspension at the back end.

Answer 2

I believe the actual size/capacity of an F1 fuel cell is a very closely guarded secret. There are no limits whereas in INdy Carts the fuel cells are restricted to 35 gallons (130ish litres). Mclaren are reputed to use the larest fuel cell.

Answer 3

The 2010 and 2011 F1 cars have 8 cylinders in their engine. They are called V8 engines. They are naturally aspirated (no turbo charging) and they are 2.4 litres in size. They are limited to 19000 rpm in order to increase engine reliability and to avoid engine accidents during races.

Answer 4

2.4 liters is the size of the Formula one Engine.

Answer 5

2.4 litre V-8 Naturally aspirated.