1980-1985 Griffon Budweiser Specifications


General

Owner Bernie Little (Hydroplanes, Inc)
Designer Ron Jones & Budweiser Crew
Constructor Budweiser Crew
Crew Chief Dave Culley (1980-1984), Jeff Neff (1984-1985)
Lap Speed Approx 145 MPH
Maximum Speed 200 MPH+
Fire System Phonenix 1301 Halon system
Electrical System 24V
Instumentation Keller Manufacturing of Seattle

Hull Specifications

Length 29'6"
Beam 14'3"
Weight 6800 lbs (Racing Trim)
Engine Stringers Hexcel honeycomb aluminum
Deck 1/4" five-ply marine plywood w/fiberglass overcoat
Frames Hexcel honeycomb aluminum
Transom Hexcel honeycomb aluminum
Sponson Chines Ash
Cowlings Molded fiberglass
Horizontal Stabilizer 41-30 steel and fiberglass shrouding
Windscreen Uvex

Engine Specifications

Manufacturer Rolls-Royce
Model Griffon V-12
Displacement 2,240 cu-in
Power Over 4,000 HP
Bore/Stroke 6" x 6.6"
Compression Ratio 6.0:1
Racing Revs 4,000 RPM
Fuel System Rolls-Royce Speed/Density Injection System
Supercharger One stage Mk-57 two speed w/13.5" impeller turning at 7.7 (FS) or 6.615 (MS) x crankshaft speed
Fuel 60 gallons 115/145 octane aviation fuel (115 = "lean" performance number, 145=rich P/N)
ADI 25 gallons 50/50 water/alcohol anti-detonation injection at high boost pressures, 0.5 lb ADI for 1 lbs fuel
Nitros Oxide Up to 4 x 25 lbs nitros oxide bottles manually controlled
Oil System Dry Sump, 20 gallon capacity
Cooling Total loss ram-water system, rudder pickup, oil cooled with water/oil cooler
Magneto Rotol (Rolls-Royce/Bristol) single unit containing dual magnetos w/integral distributors
Spark Plugs Champion L-55R or L-58R (dual plugs per cylinder, one ignited by intake magneto, other by exhaust mag)

Gear Box, Propeller, and Rudder

Gear Box Custom designed and manufactured by the Gear Works, Seattle
Gear Box Ratio 3.22:1
Propeller Shaft The Gear Works, Seattle
Propellers Three blade 15-5 stainless steel custom designed by Mercury Marine
Prop Speed 12,880 RPM at 4,000 PRM engine speed
Rudder Steel with ram cooling water and speedometer pickups

Return to Griffon Budweiser page