Cost of engine homologation, LMP1 & 2

[truebeliever]

I am curious as to how an engine is homologated with the FIA to run in either LMP1 or 2?Clearly I do understand that specifically for P2, it is an OEM road going production based engine, 1,000 examples of produced and therefore I assume, there must be some inspection process to ensure it complies.But isn't an LMP1 engine, be it in the LMP1-H or LMP1-L class, able to be a pure one off racing engine, within the regulation size etc? In which case, is there also any inspection process, say other than bore & stroke?Does anyone know what the cost of doing so in both cases is?

[Victor_RO]

LMP1 engines now are ONLY pure one-off racing engines, and with the current engine regulations, the only checks that they need to do on the engines is to ensure they're not using banned materials and/or technologies; the engines must be 4-stroke piston engines, but engine size and configuration is free.

[MagVanisher]

For making pure racing engines for LMP1, it seems that it's limiting itself thanks to cost-containment even though it has technical freedom as long as you know the fuel allocation.

That's why I hate the current engine regulations. There's no variety in it, making 2-strokes, Wankels, and other powerplants out of the picture.

[deggis]

Originally Posted by MagVanisher

That's why I hate the current engine regulations. There's no variety in it, making 2-strokes, Wankels, and other powerplants out of the picture.

By that definition most of the time there has been no variety and recently even less than now.

[deggis]

I don't know how specifically the regulations outline the homologation process in practice but check out them anyway:

http://www.fia.com/sport/championshi..._category%3A95

[rwindle]

From deggis' link specifically for the P2 category:
"A Homologation Form must be filled by the Manufacturer or the tuner (*) and validated after the contradictory inspection carried out by the Homologation Group.
The Manufacturer will have to pay all the expenses for the homologation of the engine."

No mention of actual cost for homologation.

Also from the same link regarding cost cap on engines in P2.
"If the engine is sold:
• Purchase price: 80 350 € maximum
• Rebuilt price: 37 500 € maximum
A request from the engine manufacturer for the purchase of a new engine is allowed every 2 seasons or 21 000 km only.
If the engine is leased:
The hourly operating cost must be: € 1299
If the assistance of an engineer is necessary for the engine management, it must be included in the selling price or the rental price of the engine."

So P2 engines, that would be Nissan (aren't those built by Oreca?) and Judd, have to last 2 seasons or 21,000 km. I find that amazing.

[JoestForEver]

I believe not until 2009 that the engine homologated in P2 category was still genuinely production-based, after which engines from production based racing cars are allowed too, that's when VK45DE (the super GT machine)came in, isn't it?

[Mike E]

The VK45DE is a production engine, from Infiniti. Not sure how much of the racing version a mechanic at your local Infiniti dealer would recognise though...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nissan_VK_engine