The Truth about Smartuki

[fmaxwell]

Originally Posted by bentoutofshape

If the subaru boxster engine fits in a classic bug. Why not try putting it in the smart. There are alot better engines then this "gsxr" junk!!

Wow! That suggestion is so profoundly ignorant that I can't imagine where to start. I'll try.

First off, the GSXR1000 engine is an amazingly good engine for power-to-weight ratio, reliability, longevity, and build quality. It's also capable of being hot-rodded for far more power and it survives turbos, nitrous, and ultra-high compression without a whimper. It's why Suzuki inline fours practically rule the drag strips.

Secondly, it's a "boxer" engine, not a "boxster" engine. It was named that way because of the pistons sideways motion being like a boxer punching.

Thirdly, there is no way in hell that the Subaru boxer engine would fit -- and then you'd need to add a transmission to it. What you fail to grasp is that the engine compartment in an air-cooled beetle was designed for a boxer four mounted longitudinally.

Fourthly, we know how much power can be reliably extracted from the smart engine -- and it's not much. The parts are not there to get more. You can't buy Carillo rods, big-bore forged piston kits, larger valves, radical cams, or even a service manual. Even if you could get appreciably more, the transmission would never survive.

Why start with a 70hp engine when you can start with one that makes 160 and is married to a trans that can support that level of power and much more? Or were you just trolling?

[Fredvon4]

Fred to Fred..your last 5 words are the key... and ironically he was successful

cHicKenFEET... Thanks! You saved me years of dreaming and saving change for the $10,000 "kit" sounds like it is more like $15,000 and over 200 hours build time

Long before I got my smart I followed the project they did and it seemed from their web site the kit was not a direct bolt in but they do claim that any competent motor-head with modest fab skills can do it and that their kit is 90% complete... your experience exposes that lie

I bet for that money I could get 150 HP out of the Mitsu motor ...reliably... trany input power handling would be the big hurdle to deal with

[GiantKiller]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

Fred to Fred..your last 5 words are the key... and ironically he was successful

cHicKenFEET... Thanks! You saved me years of dreaming and saving change for the $10,000 "kit" sounds like it is more like $15,000 and over 200 hours build time

Long before I got my smart I followed the project they did and it seemed from their web site the kit was not a direct bolt in but they do claim that any competent motor-head with modest fab skills can do it and that their kit is 90% complete... your experience exposes that lie

I bet for that money I could get 150 HP out of the Mitsu motor ...reliably... trany input power handling would be the big hurdle to deal with

I too have folowed the smartuki from the start. Current owners are the third I believe. Tooling-jiggs probaly gone through three different shops. Originally designed by Z-cars. But they are too busy with mini kits to bother with smart.
If they get Zcars to do 451 kit. Perhaps quality will return.Probably just wishful thinking. Any way Fred how much power do you think the trany would hold up to?

[Fredvon4]

Been a while since I looked it up but seems to me it was 117~124 ft lbs input torque max

probably 125 HP max before things start breaking like 2 or 3 gear and schorched clutch

no LS method that I can find

In my experiance ZF and Getrag can be trusted for thier specs

unfortunatly this is a one off unique tranny so we are totaly reliant on any bullet proofing by high cost specialty fabricators...

[smartune]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

Been a while since I looked it up but seems to me it was 117~124 ft lbs input torque max

probably 125 HP max before things start breaking like 2 or 3 gear and schorched clutch

no LS method that I can find

In my experiance ZF and Getrag can be trusted for thier specs

unfortunatly this is a one off unique tranny so we are totaly reliant on any bullet proofing by high cost specialty fabricators...

fred..... there is always the option of welding the gears if you want a LSD!

I know of a very high HP car (450) running around europe, still on a standard tranny. I'd say these things are a little more stout than anyone thinks.

-Dan

[Fredvon4]

welding the spider gears may be one way to make a locked spool but not recomended for a car you might want to turn through corners...striaght line drag racing only

I am sure there are several significantly modified 450s and roadsters out there and perhaps a couple of 451s that are over 100~120HP. I still have a bunch of friends and coworkers from all my years in Germany. Those I know that maxed out the smart 450s 699cc motor with 6sp tranny "think" the mods were supposed to get them around 115 HP, maybe a tad more

I have not seen a documented 699cc above 130HP... just a few internet claims in the 150~175 range.... I tend to doubt those wild claims

my real point is that I think 112 to 125 HP input would be about max limit of the trany and any mod like NOS that gets you into the 140 ~150 or higher HP is most likely going to grenade the trans, or at least, smoke the clutch

[bottlerocket]

Chikn I feel for you...really man

I was really looking forward to seeing this project here and this saddens me.

[cHicKnFEET]

Originally Posted by Fredvon4

welding the spider gears may be one way to make a locked spool but not recomended for a car you might want to turn through corners...striaght line drag racing only

HAHAAHA..... In the corners it will drive more like a boat - IE: you have to stay in throttle to turn "don’t let off throttle or your off the track or in a wall" would be a lot of fun tho

[cHicKnFEET]

Car is running fun to drive I will post some video this weekend. Also I will be entertaining offer as the car is for sale

[Wdhitch]

Wow... I can't see spending all that time and fab effort only to sell it. Glad you were able to finish it.