makes sense to me .... additional question : does having 5 additional horses (60) raise the possibility of being able to go with a gear ratio that is different from the one that would be used by 55 so as to gain MPG's
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The Elio Engine
- Thread starter ls10
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makes sense to me .... additional question : does having 5 additional horses (60) raise the possibility of being able to go with a gear ratio that is different from the one that would be used by 55 so as to gain MPG's
This is a good question but unfortunately not one we have a clear answer for at this point. I do know the cylinder head photos we were shown in the Engine Series Tech Talks did not have this system installed. It is possible that this initial round of testing does not include this system or that since those photos were taken IAV have swapped out parts and the system is now installed.
wheaters
Elio Addict
Would that improve mpg? To get more HP it's normal to expect to use more fuel, not less. Surely an improvement in torque at the same engine rpm would show more gain in mpg. This can be often done by an increase in compression ratio, for example. A bigger bang for the same fuel flow.
In order to save money the system EM/IAV plan on using is a simple two-step system which is either on or off. We have however been told that IAV has designed the cylinder head to accommodate the installation of a full variable cam timing and lift system so it is possible that at some point in the future EM could offer this as an option. EM could also use such a system in combination with a turbo which we know this engine has been engineered to accommodate at some point.
I am constantly curious what IAV will do with this engine design. I don't think the technology is contracted as exclusive to Elio Motors. Once proven IAV can license it to other brands. Other countries have a per chant for small vehicles and slower roads, so I could expect it could end up in other vehicles.
As for the US, other than an Elio clone, only an Urban Vehicle or City-Car would use an engine like that. It's bit small for something like a smart car and not showy enough for a motorcycle. I suppose I can look at the 'Uses for an Elio engine thread' but not all of that was realistic 'tight-fit' for it. Sure some military uses and other utility uses are possible. IAV may have EM tied up a bit on that such that only auto-engines are allowed to EM.
Anyway, forget I mentioned it ( if you can ) :-)
As for the US, other than an Elio clone, only an Urban Vehicle or City-Car would use an engine like that. It's bit small for something like a smart car and not showy enough for a motorcycle. I suppose I can look at the 'Uses for an Elio engine thread' but not all of that was realistic 'tight-fit' for it. Sure some military uses and other utility uses are possible. IAV may have EM tied up a bit on that such that only auto-engines are allowed to EM.
Anyway, forget I mentioned it ( if you can ) :-)
I propose the inverse may be a possibility,i.e., Elio owns exclusive rights to
domestic & international sales of the engine for Autocycles, IAV for
Autos. It really depends on how lawyers wrote/approved the final contract............
These diagrams are from a Porsche system however Elio Motors will be using essentially the same setup on each of the three intake valves. The ECU controls a valve to allow oil pressure to either lock or unlock the center pin so the valve can be activated by the dual outer cam lobes or the inner cam lobe which allows the intake valve to have two different lift/timing configurations depending on the load.
In the animation, I have looked at the center ring several times and have never been able to discern any change in its height as it rotates. Either it is a lobe with a very, very small height, or the animation is not accurate in its depiction.
I assume the small valve profile would have no valve overlap, and the larger valve profile would have valve overlap.
When undergoing constant acceleration, will there be a noticeable change in power when the valve profiles change? I suspect so, I guess this would be seamed power as opposed to seamless power. Does anyone know what the required lifter maintaince is? Are periodic adjustments required? Since the upper cam cap is part of the valve cover, I assume an adjusting kit would include a temporary cam cap to hold the cam in place while making adjustments (assuming shims are used).
I have heard something to the effect these are shims under bucket which has been around for a long time in motorcycles. Are shims under buckets common in cars? Does Pep Boys have experience with these? I may feel better taking my elio to a motorcycle shop than Pep Boys.
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skygazer6033
Elio Addict
Pb --- Valve lash adjustment was one of my first questions when I joined this forum back in July. Although I've never gotten a straight answer the consensus is the engine will have hydraulic lash adjusting switchable tappets. That's the only system that makes sense when you consider the upper cam bearings are integral with the cam cover. Shimming would be a nightmare on switchable tappets. The center plunger and outer lifter body would need to be measured and shimmed separately on each valve. Definitely not a Pep Boys kind of job.