Miles per Gallon....

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May 2, 2005 | 11:53 PM

#31

BigF350

FTE Leadership Emeritus

Joined: May 2004

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From: Melbourne, Aus

Awesome article there, very well researched and interesting, but LONG!!!

A general rule:
Up to around 45mph, rolling resistance is greater than aerodynamic resistance, but above that aerodynamic resistance is greater.
Also, as speeds doubles, aerodynamic forces quadruple, rolling resistance does increase slighlty with speeds, but no where nead as much as aerodynamic forces.

May 3, 2005 | 12:06 AM

#32

four-sixty-power

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 1,782

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From: Lower Mainland B.C.

For more conventional engine build-up tech tid-bits, try wading through this:

http://www.hotrod.com/techarticles/engine/index.html

May 3, 2005 | 10:57 AM

#33

Greywolf

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Joined: Aug 2001

Posts: 29,941

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From: Drummonds, TN USA

If Singh is right about that - ignition is the key role player to reduced emissions and economy. Chamber shape is one way to go about it. I wonder what the feesibility of multiple plugs really is? In the late 70's Datsun introduced the NAPS Z engine, with dual plugs per cylinder. Dual-point distributors had already been standard on the 240 - 280 Z cars, and high energy was the word with US manufacturers.

Spark voltage was originally around 18,000 volts. High-E systems raised the bar to more like 40 - 60 thousand volts (I think....)

The plug gap went from .032 to .080 in GM engines.

May 4, 2005 | 02:51 AM

#34

four-sixty-power

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Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 1,782

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From: Lower Mainland B.C.

Someone should try Singhs mods on a Ford 3-valve eng and put a MSD ignition or similar on it with headers and dual exhaust for good scavenging, and don't forget the K&N Filter!

Wonder what it would do........

May 4, 2005 | 08:42 AM

#35

77300i6

Posting Guru

Joined: Apr 2004

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From: Lewistown, PA

Quote:

Originally Posted by four-sixty-power

By the way, my 77F150 can coast longer than my moms 97 Mazda 626(in Drive or Neutral), my truck has less rolling resistance than a car 20 years newer???? (alignment is fine on both vehicles, both are automatics) The Mazda stops before my truck will, go figure.

This is Newtons law(inertia). Your truck has more mass, so gravity has a larger force to act opposingly upon. Also the gearing is probably lower in the 626's differential.

May 5, 2005 | 03:05 AM

#36

four-sixty-power

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 1,782

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From: Lower Mainland B.C.

Yep, makes sense. My truck has no overdrive, moms car does, my trucks gearing 2.75, my moms is probably lower(higher numerically), and you generally only coast at lower than highway speeds, so yeah, I forgot bout gravity, doh! hmmmmmmmm.....gravity...

May 5, 2005 | 08:02 PM

#37

muscletruck7379

Postmaster

Joined: Apr 2003

Posts: 2,703

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From: Harrisburg, NE

Quote:

Originally Posted by BigF350

Driving style has a huge influence on it, but here are some hints:

Drive a stick - no power loss.

if any of my vehicles had a stick in it, i would throw it out and wonder where I parked under a tree. (sry, pet peeve)

also to help improve aerodynamics, close off parts of the grill that are not needed for cooling purposis, also i think that a functional cowl hood scoop helps too.

four sixty power, thats ausome, i might have to borrow that!

my 87 ranger ext. cab 2.3/5 speed gets around 22-23 and it has horrible alignment.

if the tires are full of air and the axles and transfer case are full of oil, my 73 highboy 360/4speed 33's can knock down nearly 14mpg

my old bronco got about the same

my capri and falcon do really good since the capri has a blown engine and the falcon is still waiting for paperwork

May 6, 2005 | 03:09 AM

#38

four-sixty-power

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Feb 2005

Posts: 1,782

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From: Lower Mainland B.C.

It's hard to copyright an idea given freely on the net, so feel free and when your done, bring it up here on your shakedown cruise to test your mileage! Maybe I'll have my project at least started by then, LOL.