On Horse Power

[Norahsbed]

Most of the people buying the Elio HAVE MONEY to spare. So less MPG is no big deal to them. The Elio is just another feather in a lot of new owners hat to show off and brag about. I don't need it, need the MPG it saves but like a lot, just want it.

Wayne, there is no such thing as money to spare within the middle class. One catastrophic illness or really bad accident can wipe us out in a heart beat. Even with all the insurance we carry. That money to spare, was after years of doing without, getting our kids through school, pinching pennies tell they bleed. Just so we don't have to rely on someone else taking care of us in our Golden years! Oh and MPG very big deal in this house!

 

[skygazer6033]

That's my point. Why go to trouble of a third cam lobe with the same profile as the other 2. Unless the diagrams and animations are inaccurate. Anyway I just remembered where I've seen adjustable tappets similar to what has been described. Flathead Fords originally required the valve stems be ground to adjust clearances. Someone invented a tappet made in 2 pieces that screwed together to set the clearance. We could have switchable tappets that screw together for clearance adjustments. (I hope not as that would be a real PITA)

 

[skygazer6033]

What, these are my Golden years?

 

[Norahsbed]

What, these are my Golden years?

Skygazer, we're not quite there but they sure are coming up fast!

 

[wheaters]

Wayne, there is no such thing as money to spare within the middle class. One catastrophic illness or really bad accident can wipe us out in a heart beat. Even with all the insurance we carry. That money to spare, was after years of doing without, getting our kids through school, pinching pennies tell they bleed. Just so we don't have to rely on someone else taking care of us in our Golden years! Oh and MPG very big deal in this house!

Can't agree more! I've worked since I was 18, never claimed benefits or been unemployed, but approaching my retirement in less than 10 years I've realised that I'm going to have to be extremely thrifty in my old age because successive governments have caused a situation where my hard earned pension contributions might have been better in an old sock under the bed.

Sorry, kids, you've already had your inheritance.....

 

[Norahsbed]

Can't agree more! I've worked since I was 18, never claimed benefits or been unemployed, but approaching my retirement in less than 10 years I've realised that I'm going to have to be extremely thrifty in my old age because successive governments have caused a situation where my hard earned pension contributions might have been better in an old sock under the bed.

Sorry, kids, you've already had your inheritance.....

I hear ya wheaters! Only claimed unemployment once, when I separated from the service and that was only 6 weeks worth. I had my first job at 12, one of my brothers and I shared a paper route. Then started babysitting at 13, pretty much been working ever since in one way or an other, sometimes without compensation, just for the experience.

 

[Ray O]

I do expect something along these lines will eventually become reality. In the Town Hall Meeting Paul Elio said that EM does have plans to eventually offer software which will allow us to unlock the full power tune for this engine instead of the detuned programming which will be used to reach their MPG standards. This alone should bump up the power about 20% to about 65 HP.

During the same meeting, and also reported other places, Paul Elio has has said that IAV engineers are working on a Turbo and EM's assembly line assembly line equipment provider, Comau, has left room in the plant layout to allow for turbo installation. I would also not be surprised to see a more advanced dual overhead cam cylinder head eventually become available for this motor.

Putting all this together means that we will likely see upgraded versions of this motor running reliably with over 100 HP and possibly a good bit more. That would really turn this vehicle into one fun ride![/QUOT

 

[#491]

Not being a gearhead I'm wondering if a turbo can be added down the line when/if they become available. First deliveries will be the no frills version and all the frills will need to be added later.

 

[goofyone]

Not being a gearhead I'm wondering if a turbo can be added down the line when/if they become available. First deliveries will be the no frills version and all the frills will need to be added later.

This is indeed a good question. Bolting on a turbo to the current engine would likely be possible however I doubt it would be recommended. The issue I see is that the internal moving parts and bearings in the engine would likely also need to be upgraded to be able to reliably handle the increased stresses caused by a turbo. The ECU engine controller would also need to be reprogrammed as well.

Of course none of this would be an issue at the factory however to do it yourself would likely require an engine rebuild to go along with adding a turbo. These engines are not really all that complex and this is something I could some of our mechanically inclined members doing however if you were paying someone to do it this would increase the cost significantly.

 

[UCF'73]

I can't wait to see the torque curve as, with a stroke longer than its bore as well as two stage intake valve lift and timing, this engine is designed with low end torque in mind. This should make this vehicle plenty useful in the real world.

I don't know what you said, but it sounds impressive.