The Elio Engine

[Sidecar Bob]

Note the date on the end of the cylinder head is 31/5/14.

I don't know when the picture was released..

 

[zelio]

Note the date on the end of the cylinder head is 31/5/14.

I don't know when the picture was released..

I believe that is on the original engine picture not the new one. :-) Z

 

[CrimsonEclipse]

Likely a conformity piece. A test production to show repeatable results with quality, and consistency.
The modifications occur to conform with ease of assembly and quality control.
Milling will be next and again, quality and consistency will be developed.
Each assembly must be developed, refined and tested.

Some people here are just getting cranky.

 

[NSTG8R]

I agree! There are also the "internals" that have to be made. And one thing that I know about engine building is, until you have the pistons, crankshaft, camshaft, bearings, valves, springs,etc, etc......you DON'T machine your block!...or you end up with a bunch of scrap. And when those castings are in limited supply......you get Very expensive scrap!

Okay, I may have missed a thread or two about the engine assy., but I was under the impression that one of the main cost reducing aspects of the vehicle, was that many/most of the parts would be "off the shelf" components from existing vehicles ( not re-inventing the wheel, so to speak). With that thought in mind, wouldn't it make sense that the block and head castings were designed to accept existing pistons, valves, crank, 'possibly' the cam, HVLA's, bearings, oil pump, etc... I can see improving the intake, exhaust, and combustion chamber shape to increase efficiency, but beyond that, why would they waste the time and money creating new internals? Could be wrong though...wouldn't be the first time!

 

[Ty]

Okay, I may have missed a thread or two about the engine assy., but I was under the impression that one of the main cost reducing aspects of the vehicle, was that many/most of the parts would be "off the shelf" components from existing vehicles ( not re-inventing the wheel, so to speak). With that thought in mind, wouldn't it make sense that the block and head castings were designed to accept existing pistons, valves, crank, 'possibly' the cam, HVLA's, bearings, oil pump, etc... I can see improving the intake, exhaust, and combustion chamber shape to increase efficiency, but beyond that, why would they waste the time and money creating new internals? Could be wrong though...wouldn't be the first time!

They probably set the bore to a common size so they could use existing pistons and the stroke may be the same so they can use the same connecting rods but there aren't many 3 cylinder cranks to choose from so that'll probably be in-house. I don't see a reason that everything else in/on the motor can't be something already in existence.

 

[NSTG8R]

They probably set the bore to a common size so they could use existing pistons and the stroke may be the same so they can use the same connecting rods but there aren't many 3 cylinder cranks to choose from so that'll probably be in-house. I don't see a reason that everything else in/on the motor can't be something already in existence.

Agreed, and good point on the crankshaft. Probably not a big stash of NOS Geo Metro cranks laying around, and the cams would most likely also be an "in-house" item so they could "tweak" it for max efficiency. But for the rest of the engine parts I should be able to go to Autozone and pull it from the shelf....HOPEFULLY!!

 

[Ty]

Agreed, and good point on the crankshaft. Probably not a big stash of NOS Geo Metro cranks laying around, and the cams would most likely also be an "in-house" item so they could "tweak" it for max efficiency. But for the rest of the engine parts I should be able to go to Autozone and pull it from the shelf....HOPEFULLY!!

I would hope so. Good catch on the Cams... or are they using just one? Either way, it'll be Elio specific. There are probably a couple of other parts like that as well but I wouldn't think there'd be many.

 

[wheaters]

Its a three cylinder, six valve engine. A second cam isn't needed. Just like on the Suzuki G10 engine it seems to be based on.

 

[Snick]

I would hope so. Good catch on the Cams... or are they using just one? Either way, it'll be Elio specific. There are probably a couple of other parts like that as well but I wouldn't think there'd be many.

If the drawings released in Spring 2014 are true, then they will have variable cam phasing (2 step). So...not Geo Metro cam.

 

[eddie66]