I don't think that the transmission was optimized for fast acceleration, that little 4 banger diesel with only about 85 Hp is only capable of so much. The transmission is geared so low, that it doesn't take any effort to start from a dead stop in 2nd gear if necessary.
Greg H. ----- Original Message ----- From: "Zeke Yewdall" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: <Biofuel@sustainablelists.org> Sent: Thursday, September 15, 2005 14:55 Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Debatable statement? > Hmmmm. Are you sure you want to get that applied? The academics will > be appalled. :) > > I am doing that right now with a VW rabbit, and I have settled on a > SVO engine, vs an electric motor (with renewable energy to charge the > batteries). The size and design of the engine is more dictacted by > what is available, rather than what would be ideal. Same with the > transmission. Luckily there are different transmission options that > fit this vehical, so I can choose one which will be more efficient > with the diesel engine than the stock transmission which was optimized > for fast acceleration. This will not be the ideal solution based > soley on engineering -- but it the one that is the best I can come up > now with based on the constraints of finances, DOT regulations, fuel > availability and characteristics, and a commute with lots of elevation > change.... > > On 9/15/05, Greg and April <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > > > Ok, given the same vehicle ( and about the same weight ), how does one go > > about picking a replacement engine and perhaps the replacing the > > transmission as well? > > > > The reason I ask, is that I would like to replace the engine I have with a > > better engine, but, I don't want to over power. > > > > Greg H. > > > > > > ----- Original Message ----- > > From: Michael Redler > > To: Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > > Sent: Tuesday, September 13, 2005 13:07 > > Subject: Re: [Biofuel] Debatable statement? > > > > > > > > I knew it wouldn't take long for these (good) questions to come up. > > > > I'm just concerned that we don't get too hung up on cars designed for > > maximum efficiency vs maximum power. Some of the methods used to get fuel > > and air to high horsepower engines resemble toilet bowls and a lot of that > > fuel ends up not getting burned. > > > > The biggest question I have is; If you are including the vehicle as a whole, > > weight has to be part of the discussion unless (perhaps) if you assume > > regenerative breaking on all cars. It's tough to ignore the transformation > > of energy into heat at the brakes. > > > > Mike > > > > Zeke Yewdall <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Are we comparing exactly the same weight/aerodynamics/rolling > > resistance car here, with just different powered engines? Or complete > > different cars like a metro, corolla, and a ferarri. > > > > I think for otherwise identical cars, a medium sized engine (but > > smaller than what most cars come with nowdays) will get better > > mileage, because it can accellerate fast enough to get out of the fuel > > dumping acceleration, and into more fuel efficient cruising faster. > > But if it's to large, it's less efficient at cruising speed because of > > low part load efficiency. And if it's too small, it it always trying > > futiley to accellerate, instead of cruising. Also, due to real fixed > > ratio transmissions, a less powerful engine may spend more time at a > > higher RPM, where the fuel efficiency in grams/kWh is less, whereas a > > higher power engine could downshift sooner. > > > > There is also the human factor, that a more powerful car will entice > > lead footedness and speeding, and thus get worse gas mileage than an > > underpowered car that you just accept your slowness.... > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > Biofuel mailing list > > Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > > http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org > > > > Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > > http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > > > > Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 > > messages): > > http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > Biofuel mailing list > Biofuel@sustainablelists.org > http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org > > Biofuel at Journey to Forever: > http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html > > Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): > http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/ > > _______________________________________________ Biofuel mailing list Biofuel@sustainablelists.org http://sustainablelists.org/mailman/listinfo/biofuel_sustainablelists.org Biofuel at Journey to Forever: http://journeytoforever.org/biofuel.html Search the combined Biofuel and Biofuels-biz list archives (50,000 messages): http://www.mail-archive.com/biofuel@sustainablelists.org/
