Irrespective of the place you sit on the continuum of automotive and motorbike lovers, chances are high wonderful that you’ve got seen at the very least one Suzuki Hayabusa engine-swapped creation by now. They seem to be a fashionable alternative, notably for automotive purposes searching for a compact, comparatively light-weight and highly effective engine.
Relying in your pursuits, you may additionally have seen an entire monster of a closely modified Toyota Starlet tearing up worldwide hillclimb competitions for the previous a number of years. It is the pleasure and pleasure of Finnish engineer and racer Mikko Kataja and his store, VHT Racing. Though it rose to fame whereas powered by a 4AGE Toyota engine, Kataja determined {that a} change was to ensure that the 2023 racing season.
The two.6L Hayabusa V8 by Radical Precision Engineering, which at present powers the VHT Racing Toyota Starlet hillclimb racer
The two.7L Hayabusa V8 by Radical Precision Engineering, with Cosworth pistons on the aspect, at present within the means of being perfected by VHT Racing
That is when he switched to a 2.6-liter Suzuki Hayabusa V8 constructed by Radical Precision Engineering. It is their Gen One mannequin, although VHT Racing additionally has a second 2.7-liter Gen Two model within the store that is being ready as a future improve swap for the Starlet. That one will characteristic Cosworth high-compression pistons and places out much more energy. Each iterations are and can proceed to be naturally aspirated.
This is a better have a look at the completely swoon-worthy ported Hayabusa heads that VHT Racing has been engaged on for the two.7L upgraded model:
How A lot Energy Are We Speaking?
In its present configuration, the VHT Racing Toyota Starlet V8 makes round 345 horsepower at 10,500 rpm. It isn’t but clear how a lot energy will probably be gained after they get finished dialing within the 2.7L Gen Two Hayabusa V8, however Kataja estimates that 440 horsepower is distinctly inside the realm of chance.
Kataja Did not Select The Starlet Life; The Starlet Life Selected Him
Kataja, whose day job is spent fixing engineering issues for patrons as a challenge supervisor with Bosch Motorsport, has had the Toyota Starlet in his life for over twenty years now. Method again within the 12 months 2000, the then-engineering scholar bought a reasonable Toyota Starlet shell for a rally automobile challenge he was planning.
It wasn’t in nice form, however when you’ve got large desires and extra time than cash in your arms, you are keen to do no matter it takes to make it work. Because the Bosch Motorsport official journal described it, “the automobile [became] his last thesis within the racecar mechanic research.”
He did rallying within the Starlet for a bit, earlier than a rollover crash resulted in his parking it in his dad or mum’s storage for a couple of years. Ultimately, he fastened it again up and began doing time assault racing. After transferring to Germany for work, he and the Starlet started tackling the hillclimb self-discipline collectively, and the remainder is historical past.
For a a lot deeper dive into the VHT Racing Toyota Starlet (together with its newest Hayabusa V8-powered guise), Bosch ECUs, Finland’s grand historical past of nationwide motorsport ardour, and extra, you’ll want to try this podcast with Kataja: