View Single Post
Old 02-23-2008, 01:57 AM   #19 (permalink)
trebuchet03
MechE
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 1,151

The Miata - '01 Mazda MX-5 Miata
Thanks: 0
Thanked 22 Times in 18 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by wumpus View Post
In practice, I'm not sure the small turbos are more efficient than bigger NA engines...
Yes, in practice they can be. And when designed for it, they are. This is the case for power generation (when turbines aren't used) etc. Unfortunately, for us, auto mfrs like to use fuel for it's heat capacitance rather than it's combustible characteristics - but that doesn't mean things have to be that way...
__________________
Cars have not created a new problem. They merely made more urgent the necessity to solve existing ones.
  Reply With Quote