Walkinshaw TWG Racing, in partnership with engine supplier Swindon Powertrains, has completed development of the 'B-Spec' engine upgrade for the Toyota Supra. The move is aimed at addressing reliability issues that have plagued the Japanese manufacturer's debut Supercars season, particularly ahead of the Enduro Cup.
According to team principal Carl Faux, the upgrade focuses on camshaft revisions after a series of valvetrain failures throughout the season. "It's well known we've been struggling with a valvetrain issue from fairly early in the year," he said. Changes to both inlet and exhaust camshafts are designed to reduce load on the valvetrain, but the process is not quick, requiring careful development of valve lift profiles.
The bulk of development took place at Swindon's facility in the UK, with parts then shipped to Melbourne for assembly. Walkinshaw dispatched its first complete B-spec engine to Supercars for a pre-check before track testing. A subsequent test at The Bend proved crucial, with the engine completing 520km of trouble-free running.
Faux stressed the importance of homologation with Supercars' engine chief Craig Hasted to ensure all brands fit within the same output ceiling. "We have to ensure performance remains competitive but also improve reliability that we have longed for," he explained. The process involved numerous dyno test variants before final approval.
Beyond reliability, the upgrade also targets a noted "hole" in the power curve. Supercars had been reluctant to grant Toyota a parity adjustment this season, but with this upgrade, Supra's performance is expected to be more consistent. The team is still working to fit the upgrade to as many of the five Supras as possible before practice at Queensland Raceway.
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