Creating a Hayabusa-Based V8 is a Venture as Wild as it Sounds

When it comes to racing motorcycles, I think that a unanimous decision will agree that the Hayabusa engine is one of the best that money can buy. While small, the engine is rated at almost 200 hp. That’s quite astonishing considering that the displacement covers just 1340cc (1.34L). On a lightweight motorcycle, that’s something that’s bound to move out! The engine boasts plenty of advantages as it’s not only lightweight but also naturally aspirated. There’s no need to wait around on boost or worry about extra cooling. The combination is as simple as it is effective.

The folks over at Radical Sportscars have chosen to go with a mind-bending application for their machines. What does this have to do with the aforementioned Hayabusa combination? Well, instead of just slapping a motorcycle engine in the super lightweight platform, they have decided to go with something new. The result of some wild engineering is none other than a V8 based on the Hayabusa architecture.

When all is said and done, there are lots of nuances within this engine that really make it something special. “Outstanding” is a word that only begins to cover the finished product here. Just to name one of the unique features, the engine is laid out in a 72° v-format. This goes against what we know about a traditional V8 engine that would come in a 90° layout. As we follow the story, it’s astonishing to learn all of the thought that went into a design characteristic this basic.

Personally, I dropped out of engineering school after about a week. Therefore, I think that it’s safe to say that the guys who put this one together are going to have a little bit more insight. By following along with the video below, we get to learn all about what it takes to come up with an engine like this.

The fact that somebody even thought this up and attempted to create it has us incredibly inspired. This truly shows that there are no limits to what human beings can accomplish with a vision and a plan.