Radical SR8 LM now with 455hp V8!

[dieselstation]

Radical Launch 455bhp SR8LM
01 July 2007

Already the fastest prototype on the club racing scene and with the Nürburgring Nordschleife lap record to its name, Radical’s SR8 is now available with a more powerful Powertec V8 motor and an all-new Powertec transaxle.

The SR8LM, as the car is to be known, is powered by a 2.8 litre, 455bhp Powertec RPB motor which is based on the hugely successful 360bhp RPA motor. Like the RPA, the RPB utilises Suzuki GSXR 1300 cylinder heads mated to a Powertec designed and manufactured crank case assembly. Weighing in at only 88kg the RPB engine incorporates a four-pump dry sump system with two oil pressure pumps and integral rotary vane water pump. Powertec uprate both the cam shafts and cylinder heads and fit purpose-designed forged pistons and conrods. The twin-butterfly plenum induction system of the RPA is replaced with an eight-butterfly direct injection system, which dramatically improves response and drivability. With 30 hours between rebuilds, the fully warrantied RPB gives exceptional value as well as power.

Radical have also installed an ‘in-house designed’ Powertec P-tec six-speed transaxle which transmits the 455bhp and 10,500 maximum rpm of the Powertec motor to the circuit. Gear-change is via Radical’s own paddle-operated power shifter which allows flat shifts going up the box and automatically ‘blips’ the throttle going down. A considerable amount of work has been carried out to match the Powertec P-tec transaxle with the pneumatically-operated Powertec PS1 shifter.

The result of all this technology is a car capable of matching a Le Mans prototype around most circuits, hence the ‘LM’ designation. Radical co-founder, Mick Hyde elaborates, “Many of our customers world wide, race their Radicals in multi-make sports car series and require a car that will beat all-comers. The SR8 is that car. It is the fastest off-the-shelf sports racer in the world (actually it takes six weeks to build one) and at £89K ready to race, the SR8LM is also extremely good value.”

John Morris, Radical’s USA West Coast distributor, recently took delivery of one of the first SR8 LM’s at his Nevada race track - Spring Mountain Motorsports Ranch; “When I first drove the car it reminded me of an F1 car. The sound, shifting, braking and pure acceleration that took place in a simple test ride. Brad, my brother-in-law, went out to shadow me to get a feel for the two cars. Brad is one of the fastest drivers on the 1.5 mile track in a new 1500cc SR3. The SR8 is truly an amazing car! Needless to say Brad might as well have been in a road car, because the SR8 left him in an instant. The engine is silky smooth with acceleration that just doesn’t stop coming. The transmission shifts like butter and of course the car corners better than ever.”

“All I can say is I’m sure you’ll find this car to be truly the most formidable car you’ve ever driven. It’s truly amazing and you’ll have the biggest smile you’ve ever had within a few minutes on the track. You’ll be thanking all the great guys at Radical for providing us with one very special car that few motorsports enthusiasts will ever experience!”

Video of the OLD SR8 doing 6:55 at the 'Ring. Production Sports Car record.

+ YouTube Video

[Why_Ask_Why]

sweet...that's going to be my new DD

[kevets]

Damn this thing needs to be featured on Top Gear. Let the Stig drive that around their track!

[Chomp]

Originally Posted by why_ask_why

sweet...that's going to be my new DD

With 30 hours between rebuilds, the fully warrantied RPB gives exceptional value as well as power.

Does they mean that 30 hours is the estimated life before rebuild?

[godofcheese]

Originally Posted by Chomp

Does they mean that 30 hours is the estimated life before rebuild?

I think that is exactly what they mean.

[Verrückt]

Originally Posted by Chomp

Does they mean that 30 hours is the estimated life before rebuild?

Yes, but that's under full race conditions with a professional driver behind the wheel. It's near constant WOT.

For the average Joe, the engine would last a few seasons between rebuilds.

[mekilljoydammit]

Yeaaaaah, I want one. Though I wonder about the transaxle... 455hp is a fairly serious output, and the pneumatic shifting and everything is pretty ambitious in prototype car terms. I guess time'll tell if they stay in the normal number of pieces.

*edit* Oh yeah, at 30 hours between rebuilds isn't that bad. At least, unlike the Cossie, Judd and Nicholson McLaren engines it's (probably) using standard aftermarket off-the-shelf Hayabusa internal workybits. Sure the crankcase, crankshaft and accessories are proprietary, but those aren't really wear items.

[Junkie Mod]

Originally Posted by mekilljoydammit

Yeaaaaah, I want one. Though I wonder about the transaxle... 455hp is a fairly serious output, and the pneumatic shifting and everything is pretty ambitious in prototype car terms. I guess time'll tell if they stay in the normal number of pieces.

*edit* Oh yeah, at 30 hours between rebuilds isn't that bad. At least, unlike the Cossie, Judd and Nicholson McLaren engines it's (probably) using standard aftermarket off-the-shelf Hayabusa internal workybits. Sure the crankcase, crankshaft and accessories are proprietary, but those aren't really wear items.

and fit purpose-designed forged pistons and conrods

[mekilljoydammit]

*shrug* Having not opened one of the motors I can't say for sure, but I'd bet that aftermarket 'busa bits would still fit. Powertec does their own internals for the 'busa motors they send in the lesser Radicals partially, I suspect, because there may not be as good of an aftermarket for the bikes over there.

Besides, valves and springs are going to be the killers.

[RobCrezz]

Rapid.

[chuckybob]

[colinshark]

I don't usually get this from cars, but that thing scares me. I would be afraid for my safety while driving it.