Elio Supplier Relations Vs. Possible Options Available

[RUCRAYZE]

Began college as an astronomical engineering major, ended up pursuing professional pilot training. I've earned a living as a commercial pilot, flight instructor, aircraft dispatcher, and air traffic controller. I know a thing or two about basic principles of aerodynamics. And I have tinkered with automotive, motorcycle, and aircraft engines.

thanks, I'm guessing "tinkering" is a major understatement!!

 

[RUCRAYZE]

I am reminded of the Southerner who asked a New Yorker, "What time is it". The New Yorker replied, "You want to buy a watch?"

I'm reminded of a southerner who asked a New yorker what time is it when the big handle is on the one and the little on a 5. ?:-0

 

[Coss]

A significant contributor to the Elio/IAV engine's unusually high compression ratio of 12.x:1 for a gasoline engine without forced induction is the incorporation of cooled external exhaust gas recirculation. A simple Google search would reveal telling articles that break down how EGR works in this particular application (non-diesel, small displacement, normally aspirated, fuel injected, etc).

I'm not sure if IAV designed the EGR cooler to operate off of engine oil or engine coolant fluid. Either way, the device itself is a simple heat exchanger, and the fluid used for cooling the bypass exhaust air must be circulated through its own process of cool-down so that its effectiveness can be sustained. This would involve a vacuum-tight closed loop through the OEM radiator or effective air cooling or something.

So, possible enhancements to this system could include an upgraded high-performance stock radiator or an auxiliary oil/coolant cooler mounted ahead of the front radiator similar to the way heavy-duty trucks have their transmission fluid coolers mounted.

Also, functional NACA hood scoops that channel free-stream boundary layer air into the engine compartment (without becoming a detriment to exterior aerodynamic flow) could provide a bonus of air-cooling the liquid-cooled EGR cooler if focused and channeled effectively.

Caveat: There is an inherent drag penalty by ducting high-speed air into the engine compartment without viable escape routes, but this could be mitigated by featuring specially located cowl vents below the engine bay, essentially forcing the air used for cooling to provide a multitasking purpose of energizing the undercarriage airflow as it races past a smooth skid plate and heads toward a custom rear diffuser that routes airflow around the high static pressure zone fore of the center-axis rear tire before slowing and expanding upward as it exits the rear of the vehicle underbody.

I fully intend on enhancing the fluid dynamics of the Elio's underbody airflow by installing a front splitter/spoiler, extended lower rocker panels along the sides, a smooth all-encompassing belly pan/skid plate from front bumper straight back to the rear wheel, a rear diffuser featuring vertical strake fins either side of the rear tire cavity, a functional rear spoiler, and vortex generators along the apex of the curvature of the roofline.

All of these enhancements would work in concert to add downforce (good for steering, stability, braking, efficiency) evenly from front bumper to rear bumper, and without creating unwanted aerodynamic lift at either end of the vehicle. At a stated 12XX# curb weight before accessories, we should all want our Elio's to stay firmly planted in all driving conditions.

Back to EGR - it's a relatively modern technology that's computer controlled to function differently with varying engine loads and driver demands. For instance, 15% of exhaust gas might be re-circulated under higher engine loads (such as accelerating from a stop) while 35% might be re-circulated at lower engine loads (such as high gear on the freeway with the cruise control set). So something as simple as a flash of the ECU map could result in a number of variables being adjusted to favor power, torque, acceleration, etc. over fuel economy.

Then there's cold air intake kits on the front side and aftermarket tuned exhaust systems on the back side that duly aid in reducing backpressure across the entire system, ensuring that the most molecules of air are as densely packed into the intake manifold as possible, because more air equates to more power during the combustion cycle.

I'm going to separate the two topics in his comment (yes believe it or not, there's only 2)
Aerodynamics or as he put it "enhancing the fluid dynamics"
All of your suggested changes are very workable if you're only going to be racing it.
In real world driving, you would destroy most of those enhancements within 6 months.
You talked about items to quiet and direct the air under the Elio but those are only going to be effective 1 to 3 inches off the ground (probably close to 1 to 2 inches). You would drag or destroy it anytime you went into or out of a driveway; unless you plan on carrying a bunch of 2x4's or little ramps so you don't high center

We can appreciate you expressing your depth of knowledge here; but if you simplify it, you 'll find you won't lose half your audience after the first paragraph.

 

[electroken]

Squirrel!

 

[3wheelin]

I'm going to separate the two topics in his comment (yes believe it or not, there's only 2)
Aerodynamics or as he put it "enhancing the fluid dynamics"
All of your suggested changes are very workable if you're only going to be racing it.
In real world driving, you would destroy most of those enhancements within 6 months.
You talked about items to quiet and direct the air under the Elio but those are only going to be effective 1 to 3 inches off the ground (probably close to 1 to 2 inches). You would drag or destroy it anytime you went into or out of a driveway; unless you plan on carrying a bunch of 2x4's or little ramps so you don't high center

We can appreciate you expressing your depth of knowledge here; but if you simplify it, you 'll find you won't lose half your audience after the first paragraph.

Bottom line is raptor213 wants a powerful engine and 3 FAT tires on his ELIO! That's not too much to ask, is it? I would like to bring the ELIO back to the very basic so I want to see a "rubber band powered ELIO" in the options department. It seems EM has plenty of time because so far they've only shown 5 iteration of the ELIO, no results has been posted on any of the tests; still tweaking on aerodynamics, materials, costs, still "hand building/assembling each units, etc.. But like I said....IT ONLY SEEMED THAT WAY in my own unsubstantiated opinion.

 

[Coss]

Bottom line is raptor213 wants a powerful engine and 3 FAT tires on his ELIO! That's not too much to ask, is it? I would like to bring the ELIO back to the very basic so I want to see a "rubber band powered ELIO" in the options department. It seems EM has plenty of time because so far they've only shown 5 iteration of the ELIO, no results has been posted on any of the tests; still tweaking on aerodynamics, materials, costs, still "hand building/assembling each units, etc.. But like I said....IT ONLY SEEMED THAT WAY in my own unsubstantiated opinion.

I think the only way you would have access to everything that is going on there would require you to be a member of the "inner ring" .
Other than that; everyone else just has to wait until they see fit to release it.

 

[3wheelin]

I think the only way you would have access to everything that is going on there would require you to be a member of the "inner ring" .
Other than that; everyone else just has to wait until they see fit to release it.

Agree 100% Coss! A surprise is not a surprise unless one is not aware of it! That's the beauty of a reveal! EM keeps us droooooling for new updates!