mjncad
Super Member
The following is an email conversation I had with a friend of mine concerning Ford's Ecoboost direct injection turbocharged gas engines.
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What I find even more interesting is how this may play out further in the large pickup segment. On the Tractor By Net forum I read, there have been threads about the current crop of Cummins, Powerstroke, and Duramax diesels getting mileage that is little better than my V-10 gasser, and in rare cases worse. I average 13.5 MPG. The diesels mileage has dropped significantly due to stricter emissions controls.
I've noticed more V-10's on the road the past couple of years since the stringent diesel emissions went into effect. Now if Ford applies Ecoboost to their Triton V-8 & V-10 modular engine line, the mileage and performance could increase further and make a diesel pickup even less attractive, except to those who truly need diesel torque and durability. There's enough room under the hood of my truck that I often wondered if Ford had a V-12 on the drawing board; but shelved it due to mileage issues. However, I think the engine setback was also done in an effort to improve handling.
When I ordered my truck in 1999, I looked at the 7.3 liter Powerstroke diesel, and although I could have afforded one, I couldn't justify the $3,500 cost of the diesel. The V-10 was $350 extra, and it provides all the power I need. Also the Ford diesel has two batteries, and takes 14-quarts of oil. The new 6.4 liter Powerstroke takes 16-quarts of oil. Oil changes for the diesel at the Ford dealership are 3x to 4x what they are for my V-10. As I understand it, the diesels in current pickups are now a $7,000+/- option, and the Ford V-10 is around $700.
MJN
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Big advance in engine design
Hi All,
This link takes you to a Ford Motor Co. press release on their new direct injection gasoline engines. Present fuel injection sprays fuel in the intake manifold upstream of the intake valve. With direct injection gasoline is sprayed into the combustion chamber, as in diesels. Both horsepower and fuel economy are improved.
Ongoing research work explained elsewhere on the Ford site includes controlling intake and exhaust valves such that no throttle plate is needed to control engine speed. This eliminated pumping losses, the work the engine does that produces manifold vacuum. The would make a gasoline engine even more similar to a diesel.
Hopefully Ford has this on the 2008 auto show circuit.
Shortcut to:
[URL="http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display_foriframe.cfm?release=27455"]http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display_foriframe.cfm?release=27455[/URL]
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What I find even more interesting is how this may play out further in the large pickup segment. On the Tractor By Net forum I read, there have been threads about the current crop of Cummins, Powerstroke, and Duramax diesels getting mileage that is little better than my V-10 gasser, and in rare cases worse. I average 13.5 MPG. The diesels mileage has dropped significantly due to stricter emissions controls.
I've noticed more V-10's on the road the past couple of years since the stringent diesel emissions went into effect. Now if Ford applies Ecoboost to their Triton V-8 & V-10 modular engine line, the mileage and performance could increase further and make a diesel pickup even less attractive, except to those who truly need diesel torque and durability. There's enough room under the hood of my truck that I often wondered if Ford had a V-12 on the drawing board; but shelved it due to mileage issues. However, I think the engine setback was also done in an effort to improve handling.
When I ordered my truck in 1999, I looked at the 7.3 liter Powerstroke diesel, and although I could have afforded one, I couldn't justify the $3,500 cost of the diesel. The V-10 was $350 extra, and it provides all the power I need. Also the Ford diesel has two batteries, and takes 14-quarts of oil. The new 6.4 liter Powerstroke takes 16-quarts of oil. Oil changes for the diesel at the Ford dealership are 3x to 4x what they are for my V-10. As I understand it, the diesels in current pickups are now a $7,000+/- option, and the Ford V-10 is around $700.
MJN
-----Original Message-----
Subject: Big advance in engine design
Hi All,
This link takes you to a Ford Motor Co. press release on their new direct injection gasoline engines. Present fuel injection sprays fuel in the intake manifold upstream of the intake valve. With direct injection gasoline is sprayed into the combustion chamber, as in diesels. Both horsepower and fuel economy are improved.
Ongoing research work explained elsewhere on the Ford site includes controlling intake and exhaust valves such that no throttle plate is needed to control engine speed. This eliminated pumping losses, the work the engine does that produces manifold vacuum. The would make a gasoline engine even more similar to a diesel.
Hopefully Ford has this on the 2008 auto show circuit.
Shortcut to:
[URL="http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display_foriframe.cfm?release=27455"]http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display_foriframe.cfm?release=27455[/URL]
