PERFECTING DIRECT-INJECTION FUEL SPRAY KEY TO ECOBOOST ENGINE article

[Ford-Trucks Editors]

Hey guys, It is commendable that Ford is seeking to make the trucks we love and need every day more fuel-efficient and environmentally friendly, rather than ditch them in favor of flashy new models marketed as high-efficiency vehicles. Some people keep pushing to "get rid of trucks" and "get rid of SUV's". But that seems to lack the American spirit of trying to make what we already have better. How do you guys feel about it? See any negatives? How does a future of clean-burning, high MPG F-150's look to you? If you missed the article, you can find it here: http://www.ford-trucks.com/news/idx/...ST_ENGINE.html Thanks!

[jimandmandy]

While im not too sure about the long-term durability of the twin-turbo setup in a gasoline truck engine, due to higher average EGT's than diesel, direct gasoline injection is a winner. I predict that all gasoline engines will use it within a decade, just as port injection has completely replaced carbs.

Ford (with Texaco) started working on "stratified charge" in the 1970's, but Honda actually perfected it with the CVCC system that used a very complicated three-barrel carb setup. Ford could never get it to work well enough for production.

Direct injection, already used by VW/Audi and Lexus, allows an extremely lean mixture overall, but rich right next to the spark plug. Also, by having only air in the cylinder during the intake and compression strokes, extremely high compression, and therefore, high efficiency, is possible on low-octane gas, with zero risk of preignition. Detonation risk is also lowered due to the extremely lean mixture away from the spark plug.

Jim