Ryan Falconer V-12

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Engine

The V-12 engine developed by Ryan Falconer Industries (RFI) has been used in racing boats, specialty race and street cars, trucks, airboats and now aircraft.   This engine incorporates the latest splayed-valve cylinder head technology and the highest quality internal components developed for acing such as Carrillo rods and JE hypereutectic pistons.  The engine displayed here was developed by RFI specifically for Papa 51 Ltd. Co. with unique features, including:

  • Special long-runner electronic sequential tuned-port injection system with end-entry plenums for narrow width
  • 10.9:1 compression ratio
  • Special grind hydraulic roller cam for low RPM horsepower and torque
  • Additional bosses on the drive end of the crankcase to provide greater clamp area for the gearbox.

It is interesting to note that the exhaust port spacing is almost exactly 3/4 of the Rolls Royce Merlin engine which powers the North American Aviation P-51D.

logotrnp.gif (7615 bytes)  Ryan Falconer Industries Thunder Mustang V-12
Engine Type Aluminum 90 degree V-12, Ryan Falconer Industries (RFI)
Displacement 601 CID
Horsepower 640 HP @ 4500 RPM
Torque 700+ ft./lb. @ 4000 RPM
Compression Ratio 10.9:1
Bore 4.125 in.
Stroke 3.750 in.
Fuel 100 LL Avgas
Heads Cast aluminum with splayed valve design
Cylinders Steel sleeved
Main bearing size Same as 400 CID Chevrolet "small block"
Rod bearing size Same as 350 CID Chevrolet "small block"
Cam bearings Similar to Chevrolet "small block"
Rods Forged, Carrillo Industries
Pistons Forged aluminum, J.E.
Valve train Dual spring
Valves Stainless, 2.190 intake / 1.610 exhaust
Rocker assembly investment cast stainless steel, 17-4
Roller tappets AC Delco
Pushrods Smith Brothers
Manifold RFI, with end entry plenums and 70mm butterflies
Ignition Delco Direct Fire (no distributor) with dual MOTEC computers
Freeze plugs Threaded with o-ring
Port runners Pre-machined for better flow
Crankshaft Bryant
Timing gears RFI custom
Head gasket Special, Fel-Pro
Dry oil sump pump RFI custom
Damper Fluidampr
Length 55.5 in.
Width 24.25 in.
Weight 980 lb. (firewall forward, includes: accessories, batteries, gear reduction unit, hoses, propeller, etc.)

Gearbox

B.J Schramm headed the project to develop the gearbox for Papa 51.  Final design and analysis was done by Mr. Oswald Webb of England (now retired), who worked on the original Merlin engine reduction and was Chief Design Engineer for GKN, the largest gear works in Europe.  The unit is designed to endure up to 1500 HP, pulling 13.5 Gs doing 1 second snap rolls for more than 400 hours!   We expect some owners to build more horsepower and go racing, and we wanted the gearbox to last.  The reduction ratio is 2.8:1.  It is a straight cut spur gear arrangement with a quill shaft between crankshaft and drive gear.

Propeller

The 8 foot diameter, constant-speed 4-blade prop is manufactured by MT Propellers.  many hours of extensive engineering and consultation was involved in arriving at the optimum design of each component of this system.  The gear box ratio of 2.8:1 turns the prop at 1607 RPM for the optimum ratio for the best prop efficiency and high speed with the V-12 turning 4500 RPM.  The 100 lb. propeller is of composite construction utilizing a wood core, which is self-dampening and non-fatiguing.  This saves weight compared to metal propellers and reduces the gyroscopic effect of the prop on takeoff.

Accessory Section

The accessory drive was developed by Papa 51 and designed so that each of the ribbed serpentine belts will drive the entire five pumps and prop governor should one belt fail.  A third belt drives the alternator only.  Ryan Falconer Industries is currently (2003) in the final design stage of a supercharger installation for high altitude or higher horsepower applications.   It mounts just aft and below the rear of the engine.

Copyright 1998 -2003 Thunder Builders Group LLC.  All rights reserved.