Ilmor-Chevrolet 265-A engine
| Ilmor-Chevrolet 265-A[1][2][3] | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Overview | |
| Manufacturer | Ilmor-Chevrolet |
| Production | 1984–1993 |
| Layout | |
| Configuration | 90° V-8 |
| Displacement | 2.65 L (162 cu in) |
| Cylinder bore | 3.465 in (88.0 mm) |
| Piston stroke | 2.142 in (54 mm) |
| Valvetrain | 32-valve, DOHC, four-valves per cylinder |
| Compression ratio | 11:1 |
| Combustion | |
| Turbocharger | Holset |
| Fuel system | Mechanical multi-point fuel injection |
| Fuel type | Gasoline |
| Oil system | Dry sump |
| Output | |
| Power output | 720–850 hp (537–634 kW) |
| Torque output | 350–510 lb⋅ft (475–691 N⋅m)[4] |
| Chronology | |
| Successor | Chevrolet Indy V8 (2002) |
The Ilmor-Chevrolet 265-A is a turbocharged, 2.65 L (162 cu in), V-8 Indy car racing engine, designed and developed by Ilmor, in partnership with Chevrolet, for use in the CART PPG Indy Car World Series; between 1984 and 1993.
2.65-liter Indy car V-8[]
Both engineers were working at Cosworth on the Cosworth DFX turbocharged methanol engine for the CART Indy Car World Series; differences of opinion over the direction in which DFX development should go (Cosworth were inherently conservative as they had a near monopoly) led them to break away from their parent company to pursue their own ideas. There was some acrimony in their split from Cosworth, their former employer claiming that the Ilmor engine was little different from their planned modifications to the DFX.[5]
Founded as an independent British engine manufacturer in 1983, it started building engines for Indy cars with the money of team owner and chassis manufacturer Roger Penske. The Ilmor 265-A, badged initially as the Ilmor-Chevrolet Indy V-8, debuted at the 1986 Indianapolis 500 with Team Penske driver Al Unser. In 1987, the engine program expanded to all three Penske team drivers (Rick Mears, Danny Sullivan, and Al Unser), Patrick Racing, and Newman/Haas Racing. Mario Andretti, driving for Newman/Haas, won at Long Beach, the engine's first Indy car victory. He also won the pole position for the 1987 Indianapolis 500. A year later, Rick Mears won the 1988 Indianapolis 500, the engine's first win at Indianapolis. The engine went on to have a stellar record in CART. From 1987 to 1991, the "Chevy-A" engine won 64 of 78 races.
In 1992, the 265-A engine was followed up by the 265-B engine. The "Chevy-B" was fielded singly by Penske Racing (Rick Mears and Emerson Fittipaldi) in 1992 and won four CART series races. All other Ilmor teams remained with the venerable "Chevy-A" for 1992. Bobby Rahal, driving a "Chevy-A" won the 1992 CART championship, the fifth consecutive (and final) for the 265-A. Al Unser Jr. won the 1992 Indianapolis 500 driving a "Chevy-A", also the fifth consecutive (and final) Indy 500 win for the 265-A. Emerson Fittipaldi drove a "Chevy-B" to 4th place in points, but both he and Mears dropped out of that year's Indy 500 due to crashes. It was at this time that Ilmor was receiving new competition from Cosworth, which had just introduced their new powerplant, the Ford-Cosworth XB.
For the 1993 season, the 265-C engine was introduced, intended to replace both the 265-A and the 265-B. The "Chevy-C" was used widespread, and produced continued success for Ilmor. Some backmarker teams continued to utilize the "A" and "B" engines during the 1993 season, but neither the "A" nor the "B" would win another Indy car race. Chevrolet dropped its badging support after the 1993 season.
For the 1994 season, two new engines were introduced. The 265-D engine replaced the 265-C, although some of the smaller teams still ran the "C" throughout 1994. Without badging support, the engines were referred to simply as the "Ilmor-C" and the "Ilmor-D". The other engine introduced in 1994 was the top-secret 265-E (see below), which was actually a 3.43 liter pushrod engine, used by Penske Racing at the 1994 Indianapolis 500.
For 1995, Mercedes-Benz became the badging manufacturer for the Ilmor Indy car engines. The engine continued to be a strong contender on the CART circuit. In 1996, the open wheel "split" began between CART and the IRL. Ilmor primarily was a provider for CART-based teams, and did not provide engines for any full-time IRL teams. At the 1996 Indy 500, the "Ilmor Mercedes-Benz D" was used by Galles Racing, and finished second, the powerplant's one and only start in an IRL-sanctioned race. When the IRL switched to normally-aspirated engines for 1997, the 265s were no longer permitted in the IRL and the Indy 500, and from that point on raced in the CART series exclusively.
Applications[]
References[]
- ^ "Popular Mechanics". Hearst Magazines. May 1987.
- ^ "British Grand Prix Preview - Ilmor".
- ^ "Chevy Ilmor 265A Spec Sheet".
- ^ "Spicer Horsepower and Torque Calculator".
- ^ Graham Robson, "Cosworth: The Search For Power"
External links[]
- Engines by model
- Chevrolet engines
- IndyCar Series
- Champ Car
- V8 engines