<< Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >> Displacing just under the 1500 cc limit, the engine had a short stroke, which allowed it to rev well over 10,000 rpm. Tucked in under each bank of three cylinders was a KKK turbocharger. Two sizeable intercoolers were used to minimise the intake temperatures. A Bosch sourced fuel injection system was fitted. Many of the engine's ancillaries were mounted into the front of the block and heads. The result was a very clean, compact and lightweight engine that according to the official figures produced around 700 bhp. It was also strong enough to be used as a fully stressed member of the McLaren chassis. The only sign of its origins was a small 'Made by Porsche' badge on the airbox.
In the summer of 1983 and little over a year after the development had started, the engine was ready to be raced. McLaren did not have a brand new car available and instead used the existing 'MP4/1' chassis that originally were fitted with the Cosworth DFV engine. The aim was not necessarily to go and win races right away but rather to further develop the engine ahead of an all-out assault in 1984. The prospect of a Porsche engined McLaren had lured double world champion Niki Lauda out of retirement and he was the first to get a taste of the new twin turbo V6. In the four races McLaren used the interim car, poor reliability was a big issue, as was persistent understeer.
With the lessons learned in the last bit of the 1983 season, Barnard returned to McLaren headquarters. Here he laid down the MP4/2, which in many ways was a direct development of the original MP4/1. One of the big changes was an enlarged fuel tank to cope with the turbo engine's thirst. Even the five-speed gearbox was identical to the one used in 1983 despite the hike in power of 200 bhp. Compared to most rivals, the MP4/2 looked bulky particularly due to the size of the side-pods. Behind them the body was tucked backed very neatly, wrapping the compact TAG-Porsche engine. The additional power also made it possible to fit 'barn-door' wings that created a staggering amount of downforce.
A year after bringing Lauda back from retirement, McLaren pulled another coup by signing the fast moving Alain Prost, shortly after he was fired by Renault. Two brand new MP4/2s were ready just in time for the season opener in Brazil. A pattern immediately emerged; the TAG-Porsche engine was certainly not the most powerful in qualifying when full boost was required but in race-trim it proved superior to thirstier competition. Alain Prost won straight out of the box and the two talented drivers would go on to dominate the season, amazingly using just three chassis between them to win 12 of the 16 races. Separated by just half a point Lauda was crowned champion ahead of his team-mate. Needless to say McLaren also won the constructor's trophy. << Prev Page 2 of 3 Next >>
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Displacing just under the 1500 cc limit, the engine had a short stroke, which allowed it to rev well over 10,000 rpm. Tucked in under each bank of three cylinders was a KKK turbocharger. Two sizeable intercoolers were used to minimise the intake temperatures. A Bosch sourced fuel injection system was fitted. Many of the engine's ancillaries were mounted into the front of the block and heads. The result was a very clean, compact and lightweight engine that according to the official figures produced around 700 bhp. It was also strong enough to be used as a fully stressed member of the McLaren chassis. The only sign of its origins was a small 'Made by Porsche' badge on the airbox.