The beauty of the M3W is that you do not have to go everywhere flat out in order to get pleasure from driving it, so why would anybody want to do 160mph in a car that is clearly not designed for that speed?
Having said that, it would be a boring old world if we all wanted to do the same thing, so good luck and I hope you acieve it safely. It would be nice to go down in the record books and still be alive for people to congratulate you.
Gotta add my 2cents as a former motorcycle crew member at Bonneville. The M3W has the aerodynamics of a brick, and I think the hp requirement rises with the cube of the speed. I just don't think you can squeeze that required power out of a V Twin.
Let's say hypothetically you were going to make it more aerodynamic. Would some kind of front end with channels for cooling the engine make a significant difference?
I agree the aerodynamics will limit the speed as will the available power, for instance there is the Caterham Seven 620R which is similar in weight to the M3W also with poor aerodynamics and has an engine pushing out 310 BHP and a top speed of 155 mph.
I agree the aerodynamics will limit the speed as will the available power, for instance there is the Caterham Seven 620R which is similar in weight to the M3W also with poor aerodynamics and has an engine pushing out 310 BHP and a top speed of 155 mph.
An interesting project none the less.
I suspect the Caterham has better aerodynamics! lol
I agree the aerodynamics will limit the speed as will the available power, for instance there is the Caterham Seven 620R which is similar in weight to the M3W also with poor aerodynamics and has an engine pushing out 310 BHP and a top speed of 155 mph.
An interesting project none the less.
So assume the need for about 400bhp from the venerable V-Twin. TTS in the UK will put a Rotrex Supercharger on it for you (they already have a kit for the Harley engine) and that might get you to about 250bhp. Then a massive shot of giggle-gas (keep your saddle petrol tanks and use the boot space for the NOS cylinders...) and you'll possibly get there. Maybe twice I reckon, on the stock engine internals
Never be put off by others though when it comes to tuning inappropriate vehicles. I had TTS make me a Rotrex kit for a 1242cc Fiat Panda 4x4. Stock it made 55bhp - and 108bhp after. What an awesome little sleeper
If you are going to buy an M3W and then change it sustantially with new wheels, fuel tank, modified engine, revised aerodynamics and possibly modified suspension, at what point does it cease to be an M3W?
IMHO it would probably be better to build a 3 wheeled special with that top speed in mind from day 1.
I regularly do 80mph in mine and have seen 100mph on a couple of occasions and this is fast enough for the 69 year old codger that I am, but each to their own and I hope you succeed in your quest.
I would think essential bits of kit for going that speed would be brown trousers and cycle clips.
The beauty of the M3W is that you do not have to go everywhere flat out in order to get pleasure from driving it, so why would anybody want to do 160mph in a car that is clearly not designed for that speed?
Having said that, it would be a boring old world if we all wanted to do the same thing, so good luck and I hope you acieve it safely. It would be nice to go down in the record books and still be alive for people to congratulate you.
I have my reasons
Pushing the envelope is great and to be applauded but plain insanity isn't.
Richard
2018 Roadster 3.7 1966 Land Rover S2a 88 2024 Royal Enfield Guerrilla 450 1945 Guzzi Airone
If I was going to do it I would definitely go for a full cage that went as far forward as the footwell and a race seat/multipoint harness. I'd then convince myself on wheel and tyre integrity. After that, I'd step up carefully in speed and see how it feels. 160mph is certainly a tough target power-wise.
2012 G56 Stage 2 M3W 2007 Fiat Panda 100HP 1998 Lotus Elise (Cosworth Duratec) 1988 RF88 Van Diemen
You sure stired up the guys with your 160mph . sound very a expensive project! I hope it all becomes a reality, will be fantastic!!! good luck to you Chad..
