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Oldsmobile Quad 4 Motorcycle Project

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Quad 4 powered sportbike project by Chris Fairbrother

Quad 4 powered sportbike project by Chris FairbrotherChris Fairbrother has an idea for an all new sportbike, something very fast and easy to maintain, that doesn’t have to rev high to produce major power; hence large displacement (2300cc).

Oldsmobile, with assistance from Jim Feuling, developed an engine in 1988, the 2.3 liter, iron-block, four-valve DOHC aluminum-head Quad 4, putting out about 180 horsepower and tunable for much more. It was a popular race engine in the early 1990s and AJ Foyt had one up to 266 mph. Chris thought, hmm … sounds like a Quad 4 might do it.

Actually, Chris has plans to build his own engine, too, but the Quad 4 seems like a nice proof of concept before going off in that direction. He took a Quad 4, replaced the fuel injection and reversed the engine so the four 50mm flat slide carbs face forward (ram air). With raised compression, worked heads and race cams it will produce approximately 300hp. The bike itself is very small. Wheelbase 57.5″, seat height 30″, fork rake 26 degrees, weight approximately 360lbs, lean angle 55 degrees.

One of the biggest problems with the prototype was to build a frame that was very light and very strong. I opted for a backbone type frame, and used both the engine and gearbox as stressed members. The torque produced by the Quad 4 is substantial and I wanted to come up with a steering head capable of taking the forces, plus a stirrup unit that would hold the rear swingarm tight and prevent shearing. A mechanical engineer friend of mine modeled my frame on a computer and determined that, if anything, it was overbuilt.

Quad 4 powered sportbike project by Chris Fairbrother

What you see in these photos is the prototype, wooden forms show the shape of the tank and fairings which will be fiberglass and aluminum.

I knew from day one that I would have to design my own engine (which I have done) to use for production purposes, the Quad 4 application was simply a way of testing. My engine is an in-line four, four valve per cylinder, oval port, twin overhead cam, 1900cc with 30 degree valve banks, straight induction (between the cam banks) with studs anchored in the cylinder head passing through the block and oil pan, (ie. nuts torqued from below). This changes the usual approach somewhat, but adds rigidity to the whole motor. Assembling and disassembling is also simpler.

Looks like we have a modern Munch Mammut in sportbike form, though the engine size is hardly out of bounds in today’s ever growing motorcycle engine displacement race. I like Chris’ idea. He’s currently lining up financing to complete the project and take it to the next level but he’s already done quite a lot. I’ll be interested in following this as it progresses. Very cool project.

Quad 4 powered sportbike project by Chris Fairbrother

Posted on Filed Under: Motorcycle Builders, Motorcycle Design

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Comments

  1. Holy crap! That things gonna fly! Anything Feuling touched was amazing. Didn’t that Quad4 also get incredible mileage?

  3. I admire the work that you have done on this. I understand more than most what you are doing and what it involves, so good work.

    I am curious what transmission you intend on using, and how will the motor be coupled to it?

    Thanks,

    Mark

  4. It’s a nice concept…. but damn is it ugly. It would be nice to see someone with an eye for design to step in and help him out with the project. Maybe reduce the tail section by a good 70-80%…. LOL. Maybe use some round tubing here and there.

  5. That tail section looks like it was stolen straight off a 1987 Gixxer :-p

    Pretty cool, though. I’m also curious about how the engine will connect to the rear wheel.

    cl

  6. are you kidding? if you reduced that tail section the engine would look comedically large instead. I like the styling because if nothing else its huge. just like the engine. Big isnt bad, and im tired of bikes that look like bugs. If someone made a bike that resembled a lead sled i would love it. style it however you want, cant be worse than the bking.

  7. Larry,
    The mileage wasn’t anything spectacular by today’s standards, but it was in the 20’s.
    I had a Quad-4 in a 89 Pontiac Grand Am back in 1994 that was moderately tuned. I couldn’t tell you all that was done to it since I bought it that way, but I can tell you that it was as fast as any Camaro I had raced.
    This bike should be an absolute beast, the only thing holding the front wheel down MIGHT be the weight of the engine. I’d love to see actual times on it, both straight line and lap in comparison to say a gsxr 1300.

  8. looks like an old gixxer! could probably use a modified tank on it rather than custom building one from scratch. its ugly…but with 300bhp on tap, who gives a flying proverbial?

  9. I tend to agree with Clive. Proportional sizing of the tail section to engine is key, not to mention that it appears the radiator is back in the tail, so depending on the shape of that part Chris might want to cover it as much as possible.

    I’m sure Chris will refine the style over time (including lighting). Give the guy a break. Look how far and how cool this project is already.

    Is the 360 lbs. a dry weight figure for the whole bike, including transmission? If so, wow.

    Incredible work…keep going, man.

  10. …and I also like the nod to the old GSXR. That style is proving the test of time in a growing number of certain circles.

    I previously heard great things about the Quad 4 and also heard Jim Fueling was involved. Crazy to hear about those things in the context of a motorcycle application. Not just any motorcycle application. Chris has accomplished some very sporting geometry, possibly the best of any car-engined adaptation. Impressive.

  11. Pretty wicked man, should be a wild ride! I’m also interested in more details (gearbox/clutch/driveline, cooling system, suspension, etc) and more pictures!! The styling doesn’t bug me, but then again I’m a function-before-form kinda guy.

  12. I like the note on the next motor having a straight intake running down between the cams. Has that been done before? However, the studs anchored in the heads and torqued from below assures the motor must be removed from the bike and partially disassembled to remove the head.

    I too like the early Gixxer looks and the Olds tail light.

    -todd

  13. My girlfriend has one of these engines in her ’93 grand am. It has well over 200k miles on it and still runs strong.

  16. Back before I knew anything I figured a two-stroke outboard engine, like maybe a four or six cylinder Mercury, would be both light and stout in a bike. Probably lucky for me it never went beyond the pipe dream stage . . .

    Walt

  17. just wondering. . . who exactly did you have to talk to when getting the laws of physics suspended long enough to fit all that into such a tiny space?!?? very nice work. gotta say the styling could be better in my opinion. but otherwise i dig it.

  18. The studs through the block to the sump is how Jim (Feuling) did it, among other things, on his successful world record for engine specific HP on a turbo charged production engine. I believe he achieved ~1420 HP out of a stock (re: standard capacity, but far from stock internals) Quad 4. I have seen the dyno based Record setting video a long time ago, and have spoken with Jim many times. Brilliant man. RIP. This engine was not used effectively by GM at all. Seems everyone wants a V8 or 6, not an awesome 4. Great job on the bike. Keep it going, and us updated.

  21. So I was trying to do some research on this 1420 HP Quad 4 that Mike mentioned but can’t find much about it.

    What I have found, in terms of ultra-efficient motors, are the MYT (massive yet tiny) engine and the Di Pietro rotary air engine. Then I got to thinking if someone could use the MYT as a full time compressor and the Di Pietro as the final drive, you might have one wicked “clean” bike there =) that runs off compressed air and would “probably” get an mpg of close to several hundred miles.

    Anyway, anybody know where I can find some hard information on the Feuling Quad 4 that gets 1420 HP?

  24. Freeman; When Jim died, most of his accomplishments did as well. I’m sure there is someone out there who knows more, but I haven’t run into him/her. I have tried many times to find information on some of his other creations (like the aero helmet now used in Indy/Champ car or whatever it is called now), and his high flow intake valve said to increase peak HP of a stock Chev 350 by 40 hp, or 3 valve bolt-on SB Chevy head, or…. I have found some info in the patent records, but the Quad cam is not patentable, I don’t think.

  26. Freeman; If you look back in the archives of Kneeslider, Paul did an article on Feuling on March 31st, ’05 stating 1270 HP from this engine. I do not dispute this advertised number, but in the dyno room it was actually over 1400. To find out more, search Feuling Streamliner, of Feuling R&D.

  27. Direct drive, transmission, jack shaft???? As a tool and die maker I applaud your work! Keep it going!

  28. I LOVED my Quad4! What a great engine: power, sound, and mileage. It was sturdy, too, and took everything I threw at it and still gave great power and mileage. I got 25+mpg in the city, and regularly 35+ on the highway. I calculated 40+ a couple of times, even while running the AC the whole trip! And my engine was the HO version, run in a ’90 Calais with a 5-speed stick transmission.

    I miss that car. Too bad I was broke and couldn’t give it the TLC it needed. 🙁

  30. I don’t care what anyone else thinks, I like it ! I don’t see this kind of craftsmanship too often and I can tell that this bike is solid! Um, when you get things going would you be interested in selling the prototype quad? I like odd things and this looks to be a winner.

  31. It’s too bad all the speed parts have dried up for the quad 4. In retrospect it would
    have been to do it on the Ecotec. Were you able to modify your Quad at all?
    I would give my left nut to be able to talk with Jim fueling. He may be the only
    person left who could figure out how to remove my speed limiter on my scx.

  32. I like the motor and the idea of it, but WHY SO UGLY? Seriously im not trying to be mean but what were you thinking when you decided to create that tail section? It looks like a couple of sheets of plywood nailed together, If your gonna do something this extreme please make it tasteful, that goes for everyone. I just cant get over how ugly it is… its embarrasing

  33. I like it!!! What is that birch or Maple?

    You could call it a “Woody” and get a female following for sure …

    And just think of the potential for nail on accessories!

  34. Everybody who is snivlin about how ugly it is. IT IS A WORKING PROTOTYPE!
    Style it out later you whining clowns. And those who think this is just a GSXR or Busa reinvented….go buy your cookie cutter bike! This bike is damn fast, looks fast and probably smells fast. And to think I can go down to the local pep boys or autozone and get parts. Thats a joy joy thing. It would make an awesome cruiser too.

  35. Nice, looks like a cross between a slabside and slingshot GSXR1100.

    Thats gonna go like stink! I WANT ONE!

  37. Don’t listen to the knockers. As a mechanical fitter and 1st class metal machinist who has spent much of his life trying to replicate worn parts as new, I can tell you all that this is a labour of love from a very diligent and patient man.
    Yes the style is rather odd, but to actually get a running prototype to this stage is literally thousands of hours.
    Well done, and keep up the good work. The world needs more people to think outside the box, and if loads of people think it looks odd then you are on the right track.
    Please put some extremely efficient brakes on it though, we don’t want to loose you…

  38. i say make the tail fairing cover the rear wheel completely, with little holes in the back to let the smoke out of

  39. I love it, as aperson who has sat on it and seen it in person it is truely a peice of art. In reality once it is going the only person who is going to see it will be in the parking lot or the guy getting passed quickly.

  40. Those are some impressive specs, at first i thought yeah ugly, that tail reminds me of an 80`s gixxer 750..would like to look at the other side to see if the transmision/drive set up will be ellegant or agricultural.

    either way, big ups to the creator.

  41. Very interesting but I’ll believe the 360lbs when I see the scale. I have a 380 lb Ducati and can’t see how he’s got less — especially with an iron block and water cooled.

  42. do u still have the quad 4 in the bike or did u design ur own engine after the quad 4 if its out of the bike e-mail please Ray

  44. 360 lbs is IMPOSSIBLE! The complete engine alone will weigh that! A HONDA CBX 6 cylinder weighs 238 lbs! Does anyone know if this thing ever got out of the prototype stage and onto the road?