YACT: just had a interesting idea

[quakefiend420]

dunno if this would work or not, but here's my idea...a motor with an economy and power setting...heres my basic premise...you have an 8 cylinder motor...except its basically 2 4 cylinders mated together with a clutch or something between the crankshafts...when its on the economy setting the clutch is engaged so only 4 cylinders fire...when you switch it to power setting the clutch disengages and starts the other crankshaft and the other 4 cylinders start firing...i'm not especially mechanically inclined so if anyone who is has any input i would like to hear it

 

[Sundog]

The premise has been done before, on a vette even I think. Some new car is coming out with it also (econ:not all are firing......power:all cylinders fire)

 

[iamwiz82]

It has been done, but in a better way. Chrysler is currently using this technology.

 

[ajayjuneja]

chrysler does this already in the 300C -- but it's done transparantly. "Cylinder deactivation"

As does the Honda accord hybrid.

 

[vi edit]

Originally posted by: iamwiz82
It has been done, but in a better way. Chrysler is currently using this technology.

Yep. Displacement on demand. Deactivates 4 cylinders when crusing at highway speeds.

 

[OS]

GM was on this idea in the freaking 70s or something.

 

[iamwiz82]

Originally posted by: OS
GM was on this idea in the freaking 70s or something.

It was 1981 and it was a disaster.

 

[redly]

Originally posted by: OS
GM was on this idea in the freaking 70s or something.

and failed miserably.....

but, thanks to ECM technology advances, DoD is back in most V8's GM makes these days. V6's too, IIRC

 

[sniperruff]

you are many years too late my friend. maybe we should move on and ask those topgear people on how to build a car that runs on manure.

 

[quakefiend420]

Originally posted by: sniperruff
you are many years too late my friend. maybe we should move on and ask those topgear people on how to build a car that runs on manure.

heh...like i said i'm not too mechanically inclined...was just thinking about this on the way home a little while ago...didnt realize it was already being done

 

[SilentRavens]

Something like that is used on my father's CL600. It has a V12, which cuts out a set of 6 cylinders when the car is not under acceleration conditions.