The British
Racing Motors (unofficial)
information centre. The British
Racing Motors (unofficial)
information centre.
- the engines - V16 The powerful 1.5 litre supercharged wonder -
 25 October 2001 at www.doningtoncollection.com |
Some will say that the BRM V16 was a
failure. As a car intended to take on the World at the
top level of motor sport, only one World Championship
point is not a dominant performance. (That would come
after another ten years hard work.) The Formula One 1.5
litre rules were abandoned as the car was reaching
maturity. The car did have a successful career away from
the spotlight of the World Championship as the following
results show. Wins – 15 Second places – 13 Third places – 9 |
 25 October 2001 at www.doningtoncollection.com |
| Engine | V16 | Oil system | Dry sump 50-70psi. |
| Configuration | 135 degree V16 alloy cylinder block and crankcase. Cast iron wet liners. | Fuel system | Rolls-Royce two-stage centrifugal supercharger with two 3in. SU carburettors. 5.7 bar maximum boost. |
| Bore | 49.53mm. | Fuel | Petrol/alcohol fuel |
| Stroke | 47.8mm. | Fuel capacity | 50 gallons, maximum 75 gallons/340 litres @ 3mpg. |
| Capacity | 1,496cc. | Ignition | Lucas coil, later four Lucas magnetos. One spark plug per cylinder |
| Compression ratio | 7.5 to 1 | Valve gear | 2 valves per cylinder @ 80 degrees with twin overhead camshafts per cylinder bank, via gear train from the centre of the crankshaft. Hairpin valve springs. |
| Power | 600bhp. @ 12,000rpm. | Inlet valves | 1.25in. |
| Crankshaft | Counterbalanced two piece with 8 plain bearings & 2 main roller bearings. (Later 10 plain bearings.) | Exhaust valves | 1.09in. |
V1.2 - 23 April 2002.
© David John Hodgkinson 2000-2002. All rights reserved.