Whilst this is probably me straining to figure out Rules vs Fluff, can anyone shed light on the following.

Is it fine to fit an over-sized plasma drive into a smaller than typical hull, e.g. a Modified class 4 Jovian drive into a Light Crusier.

As the drive is smaller than the usual Class 3 drive, it would - per the rules- fit in the hull. But it jars with my sense of the Class 4 being intended for larger vessels.

Thoughts?

Actually per the rules class 4 is explicitly cruisers only. Consider it as the cruiser hull has the necessary structure reinforcement to handle the drive's output while the light cruiser would get shaken apart.

Technically the heading of the column is "Appropriate Hull types"... I are you telling me there isn't an Engiseer crazy enough to put an over-sized drive into the wrong hull type?

jameswllorimer said:

Crazy enought o think about it, yes.

Crazy enough to do it and willing to deal with the repercussions, maybe.

Ahem.

The Lathes have long advocated increasing the size and power of a drive in exchange for space. The mis-named “Sprint Trader” Drive (it can be equipped on most smaller vessels), takes that philosophy to an extreme.
Oversized Engines : Increase the starship’s Manoeuvrability by +3, and Speed by +1.

It has been done, by the Mechanicus of the Lathes. Given that they're crazy and talented enough to do damned near anything ship-related, I'd have to hazard there's a good reason why it can't be done on any greater scale than that.