- Joined
- Jun 2, 2012
- Messages
- 25,363
- Reaction score
- 8,369
- Points
- 113
- Location
- canada
- Vehicle Year
- 1994
- Make / Model
- Ford
- Transmission
- Manual
Older Gasoline engines ran/run at about 25% efficiency, than means if gas is $3/gallon $0.75 is used to push you down the road, and $2.25 is used to HEAT coolant and air around the engine, sucks don't it, lol
2.3l Lima is 1974 technology, 1970 actually, when it was being designed
It did use an overhead cam which is better for efficiency, no pushrods, and power
OHC also allowed for higher RPMs
But still only had 2 valves per cylinder
When "they" started doing 3 and 4 valves per cylinder and dual overhead cams "we" got better efficiency AND better power
Current engines are 30-35% efficient, still not great but better
VVT(variable valve timing) takes advantage of how valve timing works at lower RPM and higher RPM, best valve timing is different for low RPMs and high RPMs
Without VVT you are locked in at the best valve timing for engine's use, so its a "one size fits all" setup
Higher compression is a double edge sword
The tighter you wind "the rubber band" the more energy is released when you let it unwind
But in the case of compression, OCTANE can be an issue, 87 octane(regular gas) will self-ignite(ping/knock) above 9.5:1 ratios
But EGR systems and Knock Sensors can allow higher a compression engine to run 87 octane, with a loss of some power with changes in spark advance
Diesel engines started at about 30% efficient and are now at 40+% efficiency
Electric motors in vehicles are 85% efficient, but you still need to factor in how the electricity was generated
Torque gets you up to speed
Horse power holds you at that speed
Give me torque any day over horse power, lol
2.3l Lima is 1974 technology, 1970 actually, when it was being designed
It did use an overhead cam which is better for efficiency, no pushrods, and power
OHC also allowed for higher RPMs
But still only had 2 valves per cylinder
When "they" started doing 3 and 4 valves per cylinder and dual overhead cams "we" got better efficiency AND better power
Current engines are 30-35% efficient, still not great but better
VVT(variable valve timing) takes advantage of how valve timing works at lower RPM and higher RPM, best valve timing is different for low RPMs and high RPMs
Without VVT you are locked in at the best valve timing for engine's use, so its a "one size fits all" setup
Higher compression is a double edge sword
The tighter you wind "the rubber band" the more energy is released when you let it unwind
But in the case of compression, OCTANE can be an issue, 87 octane(regular gas) will self-ignite(ping/knock) above 9.5:1 ratios
But EGR systems and Knock Sensors can allow higher a compression engine to run 87 octane, with a loss of some power with changes in spark advance
Diesel engines started at about 30% efficient and are now at 40+% efficiency
Electric motors in vehicles are 85% efficient, but you still need to factor in how the electricity was generated
Torque gets you up to speed
Horse power holds you at that speed
Give me torque any day over horse power, lol
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