Supercharging the 1 1/2-Litre V.16 BRM Racing Engine

Abstract

The BRM racing car project was initiated in 1945 by Messrs Automobile Developments Limited and supported by the British motor industry. The engine was a 1 1/2 litre V.16 cylinder supercharged unit required to give 400 b.h.p. This paper gives an account of the work carried out by Rolls-Royce Limited in the design, building and development of the supercharger, and also deals with the problems of estimating the power output of the engine based on a method for calculating the charge consumption. The problems encountered in the development of the power unit are discussed, and the experience gained may be of some interest to others who may be considering a supercharged engine for the new racing Formula in 1966.