Mullet's Metro Project

[SuperTrooper]

Originally Posted by garys_1k

Not quite, ethanol blends' effects on FE are not in line with its energy content. That's because FE drive cycles can actually improve volumetric efficiency with lower heating content fuel.

Some data:
http://www.ethanol.org/pdf/contentmg...yStudy_001.pdf
http://www.ethanol.org/pdf/contentmg...inal_12507.pdf

You can bet that the max. torque line fell in pretty much proportion to the lower heat content (unless the ECU allowed more spark with the ethanol, then the torque loss would be at least partially offset). But FE is a different issue -- lower heat content can improve things even if spark advance is constant.

EPA mileage ratings of flex-fuel vehicles appear to be pretty consistent with the lower heat content: (Change year to 2008 for the complete list.) Search for Cars that don't need gas

Perhaps if you built an engine to run on E85 only you could optimize all conditions and do better.

[Formula413]

Originally Posted by SuperTrooper

Perhaps if you built an engine to run on E85 only you could optimize all conditions and do better.

Certainly the higher octane rating would allow for more compression, spark advance, and a higher A/F ratio, all of which would help FE.

[Johnny Mullet]

I'm sorry I got nothing accomplished this weekend on the car, but I was at a party last night and drank way too much and ended up almost dead according to the ambulance and hospital staff. My friends at the party seen me fall and bust my head on the concrete and I was convulsing on the ground.

They had to keep me from dying "Jimi Hendrix" style until the paramedics arrived. I am doing fine now, but I got a pretty bad bump on the side of my head and some other injuries. It's a good thing all those people were there who knew what to do.

[Hacksaw]

It was probably your mullet that saved you!

[bryn]

glad you are ok. good luck

[joesgot4]

glad you are ok johnny mullet

[Coyote X]

The parties where you almost die are always the most fun












at least when you are telling the story 10 years later....

[ebacherville]

holly crap dude , i drank way too much but nothing like that holly cow!!.. dont dring the E-85!!!

[Johnny Mullet]

I got some more info and it turns out I had alcohol poisoning (0.29), a concussion, and a case of hypokalemia. The reason my chest hurt so bad and was bruised was apparently, my heart stopped for about a minute during the ambulance ride and the EMT's compressed my chest to get my heart started back up again. It was a close call. I made the decision to quit drinking alcohol entirely.

I have enough near death experiences just in my career and don't need to add to that number.

Anyway, back on topic....................

My next job is going to be the frame repair. These cars are notorious for rusting out in the lower control arm areas and mine is starting to look pretty bad. I will get some pictures up of the current condition of the frame and then the repair process. Unlike CoyoteX and his "tubular" chassis build, I will be simply restoring the floorpan and the control arm area by welding in new steel plates.

Updates coming soon.

[MetroMPG]

Glad you didn't die! Mullets don't show well when you're laying in a pine box.

Looking forward to another Suzukiclone A-arm frame repair story. Get pics, so we can compare it to the ForkenSwift's emergency surgery:

Electric car conversion: Project ForkenSwift

(Click for surgery pics)