Hmmmmm (Harley engine swap?)

[GHammerly]

I love the V-Rod motor, some may say it's not really a Harley motor because it's designed by Porsche, that makes it even more attractive to me. I'm sure it's extremely reliable and smooth.
This is not your fathers Harley motor.

[vpkb1998]

Why? I don't know much about bike, but the specs on Corbin's is only 78bhp.

[denisjolicoeur]

Originally Posted by vpkb1998

Why? I don't know much about bike, but the specs on Corbin's is only 78bhp.

the V-rod's actually anywhere from 110 hp to 123 hp (depending on the model) and a 9000 rpm redline, stock...

and mods are very easy & inexpensive vs modding our 1L.. they say that some $500 mods will get you close to 50hp over stock. there's stroker kits available, turbos, superchargers, etc... the list of options is endless. some turbo kits will get you 250 hp.

[Boeschbuilt]

If any of you are really serious about doing this I would be happy to tackle the project. I would figure 4 months and a price tag close to 20K... But it would definitely be the only one of it's kind.

(A little side note- I think breathless sells a turbo kit for V-rods)

[smarticus]

You could always dig up a Harley Servicar transmission so that you would have a reverse gear, IF it will bolt onto a V Rod. The smart trans would not survive the torque for long, I think.

[stressed member]

It's all about as new as a Morgan...

[pmolink]

How about the new Rotax 4-Tec from a Ski-Doo. 130 BHP

The 4-Tec in my Sea-Doo puts out 220 BHP (supercharged, intercooled).

[Padawan]

Originally Posted by denisjolicoeur

and mods are very easy & inexpensive vs modding our 1L.. they say that some $500 mods will get you close to 50hp over stock. there's stroker kits available, turbos, superchargers, etc... the list of options is endless. some turbo kits will get you 250 hp.

You also have to factor in the cost of buying the Harley engine, and the massive amount of fabrication required to install it into the smart. It would be unique, but certainly not a cost-effective upgrade.

[burtandnancy]

whats cost effective building a custom and/or hot rod? All it takes is cubic dollars...

[dlomshek]

You don't want a 2 cylinder auto engine. Not nearly smooth enough as the power pulses are too far apart. In the V-twin Harley engine the power pulses are also not evenly spaced either. Great engine for a motorcycle but would be a disaster for a car.

You can even feel the power pulses in our current smarts when in 5th gear
at low speed (around 1700 to 2000 rpm). Our smarts would be smoother with more cylinders but the cost of manufacturing the engine increases (more pieces). Therefore the three cylinder is a compromise; smoother than a twin and more economical to build than a four.

David Lomshek
Pittsburg State University
Southeast, Kansas