Alloy Blocks & Unicorns

[mab01uk]

Interesting write up in link below.

Race Engine Digest: ASCASO A+5
Wayne Ward reports on how 1950s engine technology inspired this new race unit, which comes in a range of options :-
https://www.raceenginesuppliers.com/Sup ... -ascaso-a5

[mk1]

Well, I reckon it is time for me to publicly eat my words on this subject!

I was wrong, there does seem to be a "need" for a block like this & the engineering all looks absolutely OUTSTANDING!

I look forward to watching the progress.

M

[mab01uk]

James Lyons - A+5 - Fastest Mini in the World Race report from Ascaso Engineering.
"A+5. Firstly well done to James Lyons for coming 5th place in the Fastest Mini in the World race 5th - 6th August 2023 Brands Hatch
Now for the events leading up to the 2nd race and why we never started the 1st one and why we slowed down during the 2nd one.
During qualifying Jim came into the pits because he had low boost which turned out to be a loose pipe from the intercooler, an easy fix and we were ready to go, not so! He had no drive to the wheels although he could gear change with no gear crunching etc, therefore a tow back to base and some head scratching, the flywheel assembly was stripped down thinking that perhaps the primary gear had sheared off between the clutch plate mounting splines and the gear teeth.
This turned out to be functional without any problems. So the next port of call was to check the diff pinion so jimbo and John set about stripping that side of the gearbox, Result issue found! The nut retaining the pinion had completely undone itself and the pinion had disengaged from the crown wheel.
This was quickly reassembled and the car was made ready for race 2, although missing race 1 put Jim at the back of the grid in P14.
Happy that the A+5 engine had got to the starting grid and anything after that was just a bonus.
So from the back of the grid the race started and Jim was slowly picking off the competition and moving up the pack where he eventually got up to 3rd place, then a little puff of smoke and his pace slowed, even the commentators commented that it looks like Jim was settling in for the afternoon!
So why did he slow down? The million dollar question!
So Jim had blasted his way to 3rd position from the back of the pack, then a puff of smoke which also resulted in a massive loss of boost! The cause was the exhaust manifold splitting into two prior to the turbo therefore reducing the gas speeds into the turbo hence the loss in power.
Jimbo still battled on although a noticeable drop in momentum, to finish is to finish.
What could go wrong next? Well with the exhaust manifold split in half the down pipe from the waste gate sprung out of position and as luck has it found itself wedged against the banjo joint that feeds the clutch slave cylinder from the master cylinder, now this thing is hot!!! Which resulted in the clutch fluid being boiled to the point that Jim was stuck in 4th gear for the last 9 minutes of the race.
So with limited boost and stuck in 4th gear he limped on dropping only 2 places to gain a P5 position.
The A+5 1273cc was running the BMW k1200 LT head without modifications, no cam change, porting etc just as it is off the bike.
A massive result for the billet block."
https://www.facebook.com/people/Ascaso- ... 214636757/

[Exminiman]

Parent company ? https://www.amedm.co.uk/engineered-part ... ne-blocks/

[PoolGuy]

Parent company ? https://www.amedm.co.uk/engineered-part ... ne-blocks/

Yes, Ascaso is an off-shoot https://www.raceenginesuppliers.com/Sup ... -ascaso-a5

[Exminiman]

Anyone seen any prices, I very much doubt if its anything I will buy, but still interested.

[murty]

Anyone seen any prices, I very much doubt if its anything I will buy, but still interested.

I asked KAD (a dealer for this block) a couple of years ago, and it was roughly £16,500 for the short block (block, crank, rods, pistons, and a flywheel to suit).

[InnoCooperExport]

It's some amazing engineering. I wonder if the price will ever come down for us mere mortals to afford. It sounds like it could be a hoot

[mk1]

It's some amazing engineering. I wonder if the price will ever come down for us mere mortals to afford. It sounds like it could be a hoot

No chance.

[Exminiman]

Obviously a perfect match for KAD 16V head, would make an interesting solution in RWD A series cars where the gearbox is less of a restriction...effectively an alloy blocked BDA....

[DeadSquare]

I wonder where they fit the thrust washers.

[Nathan1293]

I haven't seen to know for real, but when I was speaking to them at Brands Hatch the crank design leans heavily on the Hyabusa crank.