Rebirth of the 1980s: The Military Industry Empire

The improvement plan had already been devised: replace the engine!

The Type 63 armored vehicle used a 191-kilowatt 6150L diesel engine. Looking at the model number, it was very similar to the 12150L diesel engine used in the Type 59 tank. The difference between 6 and 12... was that the number of cylinders?

That's right. The 6150L was improved from the tank engine. It was a simple and crude method of cutting the 12-cylinder engine in half to create a six-cylinder engine, easily solving the Type 63 armored vehicle's power problem.

However, it also had the same drawbacks as the tank engine, such as insufficient power, high fuel consumption, and loud noise, short lifespan, etc. But at the time, there were no other options, so they had to continue using it.

In the 1980s, China imported the Deutz BF8L413F engine from Germany. It was a V8, air-cooled, turbocharged engine with a more abundant 231-kilowatt power output. At the same time, because it was a civilian diesel engine, it had a long lifespan and very low fuel consumption, making it the best replacement engine.

Therefore, when they initially decided to sell the Type 63 armored vehicle, Qin Yang suggested replacing it with this engine.

However, due to the tight schedule, heavy workload, and incomplete testing, the products currently delivered to customers were still equipped with the old 6150L diesel engine.

Now that the customers were already using it, there was no need to bother with the replacement. Production was their top priority, so Cui Yucheng had forgotten about it. Now, hearing Qin Yang mention it, Cui Yucheng became excited. If it were modified in this way, the Type 63 armored vehicle's performance would take another leap forward!

"During your usage, what shortcomings do you feel this armored vehicle has?" Qin Yang didn't directly promote the product but instead humbly accepted the user's opinions.

"During usage..." Dag Duke thought for a moment and then said, "The biggest problem is that it's too bumpy!"

Tracked vehicles were inherently bumpy, and the Type 63 armored vehicle was even worse because it was light and small. When Iraqi soldiers drove this armored vehicle, they not only had to advance in deserts and plains but also in hilly areas, making the ride unbearable.

The same was true for domestic use. Soldiers riding in this vehicle for the first time often got sick.

"Can this problem be solved?" Dag Duke was a little worried, after all, it was a common issue.

After speaking, Qin Yang glanced at Cui Yucheng: "Factory Director Cui, is there any problem with this improvement?"

Since President Qin had spoken, Cui Yucheng definitely had to answer that there was no problem, but the amount of work for this modification was not small!

"Are you worried about research and development funding? Don't worry about that. Since it's the customer's request, the customer will naturally bear it. Is three million US dollars of research and development funding enough?"

Cui Yucheng's eyes lit up: "President Qin, as long as there is research and development funding, there will definitely be no problem!"

From the perspective of Fangbei Company, three million US dollars of research and development funding was not much at all. They often handled projects worth tens of millions, but for an armored vehicle, this amount of funding was already quite a lot.

Changing four pairs of road wheels to five pairs was not technically difficult. The main issue was money. Once the funds were in place, everything would be easy to handle.

"In that case, let's finalize the research plan." Qin Yang looked at Dag Duke: "We will change the original four 760-millimeter single road wheels to five 650-millimeter double road wheels; increase the shock absorber travel from 170 millimeters to 210 millimeters; add 3 track rollers on each side; change the 2 swing-arm mechanical spring shock absorbers on each side to 3 tubular hydraulic shock absorbers. After such improvements, the bumpiness problem will be completely solved. The research and development funding for the entire modification is estimated at three million US dollars, how about it?"

"President Qin, will the purchase price increase with this modification?" Dag Duke didn't care about the millions of modification funding. That was not much, but he was worried that the price would increase after the modification, which would have a greater impact.

"Of course not. We are modifying it for a friend, so how can we ask for more money? After the modification, the price will remain the same!" Qin Yang said.

Dag Duke nodded: "Okay, President Qin, in that case, I will immediately report to my country and hope that my country can support this improvement project!"

Watching Dag Duke's departing figure, Cui Yucheng revealed a resentful expression: "President Qin, at least add a little, otherwise what will we earn?"

Research and development funding was a one-time thing. Adding money to the products sold in the future was the way to have a steady stream of income.

"Factory Director Cui, you still need to learn more." Qin Yang said, "Modification is not so easy to succeed. There are many tricks involved. Come, let me teach you..."

After listening to Qin Yang's entire plan, Cui Yucheng gave a thumbs up: "President Qin, your method is brilliant. We have to learn more from you!"

The matters here were finally finished, and it was time to go back. However, today's exercise was completely missed. He wondered how things were progressing over there?

With such curiosity, Qin Yang returned to the car that had brought him. The driver excitedly said, "President Qin, you're finally back! The chief instructed me on the radio that once you're done with things here, I should immediately take you back."

"What can I do when I go back?"

"I don't know, probably attend a meeting."