Saab isn't dead. Okay, well it mostly is. But this particular one isn't.

[JoshInKC]

Out of curiousity, what makes capacity more arbitrary than external volume?

[LHutton]

Out of curiousity, what makes capacity more arbitrary than external volume?

Because capacity doesn't describe how much the engine weighs or what physical size it, the latter of which has all kinds of knock-on implications on overall vehicle weight, weight distribution and drag. I can have a larger capacity engine that is physically smaller due to configuration.

[JoshInKC]

Okay, so it's not that its actually any more arbitrary, you're just choosing to de-emphasize capacity for the purposes of this hypothetical race series. Got it.
It does seem to that it would be a bit difficult to define weight and size for an engine, though. Would a super or turbocharger be counted toward engine weight? Intake/Exhaust mainfolds? What about an external oil pump?

[LHutton]

I was choosing to focus the engineering development of the teams on technology that would actually make quicker cars in the general sense, rather than quicker cars in the sense of that race series just because of the rules. Squeezing extra hp from a given capacity doesn't necessarily produce a faster car - not if you can increase capacity and get more power and still have a smaller, lighter engine. You would either have to choose to allow turbochargers in the series or not, if you do then the same rules apply. In such a series developers would have complete freedom to play with configuration and design within the given size and weight envelope rather than developing lots of horribly complicated, inefficient methods of squeezing every last drop of blood from a given capacity.

[Godson]

They did that in the 80s, it was too dangerous. Now we have this.

What I mean by this is put limits on things that are relevant, in intelligent manners.



Limit fuel consumption by restricting how much fuel can actually be used, this would limit power levels and allow for flexibility in other areas, like engine design. Limit fuel pressure, limit fuel line diameter, you limit max power. Allow these engineers to think outside of the box.

[thesameguy]

I love the idea of setting an economy target - that has clear benefits in every measure. I imagine to some degree that type of engineering is happening already as people want to minimize pit stops, but codifying it is good for everyone.

[Godson]

Right now it is done in f1 by mandating no refuel and larger tanks.

Let these guys think in ways that are different. We already know turbos help, let them perfect other designs.

[Kchrpm]

F1 is also limiting the fuel rate now.

[LHutton]

I'm not sure the fuel limit adds anything. Fuel efficiency has always been paramount simply due to the number of pit-stops needed or the all-up mass of the car and its affect on performance. I guess fuel limits will reduce the environmental impact though.

[Kchrpm]

It keeps teams from having a super aggressive fuel map to switch to get into position, followed by switching to a fuel-sipping engine map to just stay where they are for the rest of the race. If that helps prevent F1 races from doing the normal thing of 5 LAPS OF FURIOUS ACTION then follow the leader to the finish, I'm all for it.