23-12-2015, 01:43 PM
Here is the info about whats what:
Crucially, the T290 was supplied from Lola with no engine, so several different powertrains were seen in the T290. This version includes 3 engines;
-1,8 Ford Cosworth FVC (280hp):
The FVC was tried and tested in Formula 2, but was at the end of it's development.
-2,0 Chevrolet Cosworth EA (Vega) (285hp)
The Cosworth EA was a brand new aluminium-block engine based on the Chevrolet Vega engine. While it showed great potential it was ultimately a failure, because of reliabilty issues.
-2,0 Abarth (270hp)
The Abarth engine was produced and developed in much smaller numbers and on a smaller budget, hence not as powerful, but as far as my research goes it was quite reliable.
Due to the lighter 2L engines compared to the big 3L DFV in the T280, the T290 is around 50kg lighter. This makes the car quite a lot more nimble, as most of the weight is lost from the rear axle. The less powerfull engines means this car is more forgiving than the 3L, but also means you have to keep the RPMs high to keep the engines in the powerband. It's more "chuggable", respond quite well to being driven agressively, but will still bite if you over-do it. Ultimately I think the T290 is more enjoyable and fun!
Crucially, the T290 was supplied from Lola with no engine, so several different powertrains were seen in the T290. This version includes 3 engines;
-1,8 Ford Cosworth FVC (280hp):
The FVC was tried and tested in Formula 2, but was at the end of it's development.
-2,0 Chevrolet Cosworth EA (Vega) (285hp)
The Cosworth EA was a brand new aluminium-block engine based on the Chevrolet Vega engine. While it showed great potential it was ultimately a failure, because of reliabilty issues.
-2,0 Abarth (270hp)
The Abarth engine was produced and developed in much smaller numbers and on a smaller budget, hence not as powerful, but as far as my research goes it was quite reliable.
Due to the lighter 2L engines compared to the big 3L DFV in the T280, the T290 is around 50kg lighter. This makes the car quite a lot more nimble, as most of the weight is lost from the rear axle. The less powerfull engines means this car is more forgiving than the 3L, but also means you have to keep the RPMs high to keep the engines in the powerband. It's more "chuggable", respond quite well to being driven agressively, but will still bite if you over-do it. Ultimately I think the T290 is more enjoyable and fun!