The Elio Engine

[Ty]

Sensors will adjust for altitude. There is a barometric sensor on computer controlled cars, usually up under the dash. It gives the computer additional information for air/fuel ratios, including altitude.

Huh. I thought that is what the purpose of having the two oxygen sensors in the exhaust path was.

 

[Ian442]

I was just curious. Happened to catch the octane difference driving home from my duty station in California years ago. I decided it was in my best interests to stick with above the regular grade octane till i got back to lower elevations.

 

[charchri4]

The key word there is years ago ^^. Both gas and cars were very different years ago.

 

[tfunster]

rpms ont left top, hp in the middle top.

I couldn't decode the screens well enough to see that. Which panel had the HP read-out?

 

[tfunster]

rpms ont left top, hp in the middle top.

I couldn't decode the screens well enough to see that. Which panel had the HP read-out?

 

[Smitty901]

What about higher altitude testing air ratios and fuel octane differences? At higher altitude you have thinner air plus I recall different octane in the mountain states.

writing the map to adjust of altitude on todays fuel injection systems is simple once the base map is done

 

[RUCRAYZE]

the engine and axle lines were separate at GM. There were pallets of axles on the floor and the line workers would walk an overhead lift (think forklift without the body) over and pluck up the right axle and set that on the line. The engines were the same way. I'd suspect that Elio will follow a similar path. The Engine may even be mounted to the transmission prior to being placed on the line.
The cab, doors, and tailgate all came from the paint area and arrived on the line from above right after the drivetrain was put together. So you'd see the body descend onto the finished frame/engine/wheels combo. The Elio will be different as the cab is basically built around the frame. Here's what I think we'll see:

1. The transaxle will get hubs, brakes, wheels, and tires (either as a unit or from the supplier already assembled as a "tire/wheel assembly") and then be assembled to the engine just after the engine pops off the engine finishing line.
2. That combo will be placed on the main line where the frame, just out of powder coating, rear shocks, swing arm, and brakes, will be connected. The rear will get it's wheel at this point. That rear wheel will be strapped to a 2 wheel Dollie that makes carrying the car via common carrier easier.
3. The main body wiring harness that goes from the interior to the engine bay will be placed and connected via several work stations.
4. The interior will be assembled and put into place now.
5. The body panels will arrive from the overhead line. They will already be painted at this point. All will be glued into place.
6. The windshield will be mounted
7. The rear molding covering the tire will be screwed into place as will the front fenders (if ordered with them).
8. Exterior lighting and trim will be put on.
9. The seats will be put into place. (This step may actually take place at the marshaling centers as seat fabric will be optional)
10. A gallon or two of fuel will be put in (not because they are cheap but because they have less than a minute per station).
11. It will be started and they will try all the switches out.
12. The final check is driving it off the end of the line and parking it either in the main lot for shipping to marshaling centers or in the customer will-call area.

Things that may or may not be assembled at Shreveport's main line (they'll have a "marshaling center" set up for factory pick-up vehicles to be completed):

The radio or SkyzMatic
Fancy door trim
Seats (I thought about this and figure Elio will either install a basic seat that may be removed at the marshaling center or just install none at all till they know what exactly will go in there (leather, heated, cooled, lightweight racer style, etc)
Headlights ... bulbs maybe... They could have an HID option
Front fenders
Rear wheel cover
Door jambs

Basically, anything that can be optioned could be left for the marshaling centers. In fact, it would be easier on them to have a blank slate rather than have to remove things to put other things on. Think about the door sill... simple door sill. There will be a lighted version of the door sill. Do you make the marshaling center pull the brand new one off possibly damaging it? OR Do you leave it off and let the marshaling center put on the right one? Even if you got your Elio bone stock, it would be VERY simple for the marshaling center to just snap one on there.

Anyway, that's my 3 1/2 cents worth.

Ty

I want to thank you for a job well done. You've created a mental picture, that I hope to see "live".
I have a question, not specifically about assembly, when I've purchased bikes they come w/ stock exhaust, which before leaving the showroom, I've always replaced with dealer installed after market. with the stock mufflers for me to take or leave
I assume the E will come with those functionally ugly fenders. I'm guessing the MC fenders will be an option- do I get to keep the originals?
same q about the radio? or will it only apply to aftermarket products-for example, I take the stock E as presented, drive over to Bestbuy, and buy a new radio. I go out with the new one, AND the stock. thanks

 

[Ty]

I want to thank you for a job well done. You've created a mental picture, that I hope to see "live".
I have a question, not specifically about assembly, when I've purchased bikes they come w/ stock exhaust, which before leaving the showroom, I've always replaced with dealer installed after market. with the stock mufflers for me to take or leave
I assume the E will come with those functionally ugly fenders. I'm guessing the MC fenders will be an option- do I get to keep the originals?
same q about the radio? or will it only apply to aftermarket products-for example, I take the stock E as presented, drive over to Bestbuy, and buy a new radio. I go out with the new one, AND the stock. thanks

That is a good question. It would make more fiscal sense to both customer and manufacturer to not assemble (or pay for) parts that are not wanted. Personally, I see the price of the original equipment offsetting the optional. For example: Using your fender example. Elio could say "Motorcycle fender price is $500 or $250 if you don't take the stock ones" or something along those lines.

I wouldn't be surprised if Elio didn't ship parts to the marshalling centers and just not attach them in the first place. I'll bet the fenders and rear cover come with the car though as paint differences may be obvious. Maybe not though.

 

[JEBar]

I have a question, not specifically about assembly, when I've purchased bikes they come w/ stock exhaust, which before leaving the showroom, I've always replaced with dealer installed after market. with the stock mufflers for me to take or leave

I was told that for EM installed options (using leather seats as an example), the trike will be built and shipedd with standard cloth seats .... when it gets to where the options are installed, the cloth seats will be removed and shipped back to the factory.... the leather seats will be installed and we will be charged for the difference in cost .... if we order the seats from Pep Boys we would be responsible for the install, pay full price and retain the OEM seats

 

[Ty]

I was told that for EM installed options (using leather seats as an example), the trike will be built and shipedd with standard cloth seats .... when it gets to where the options are installed, the cloth seats will be removed and shipped back to the factory.... the leather seats will be installed and we will be charged for the difference in cost .... if we order the seats from Pep Boys we would be responsible for the install, pay full price and retain the OEM seats

It doesn't make much sense to ship the seats back and forth though. Plus, the way you describe, the marshalling centers would fill up with brand new items that had been installed once already. Would you want your Elio to be shipped with seats in it that had already been installed in 20 or 30 other Elios? They'll probably develop a temporary seat for shipping purposes... Each truck would only need one. The Eli is may even ship sans fenders, rear covers, etc. None of that takes very long for a couple of people to install.