The OP asked in the OP (re the Centurion)...
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Originally Posted by sgtlethargic
Do you think this had reasonable acceleration?  |
Not by today's standards of reasonable. My car is similar layout (but with the 21st Century version of that engine--lighter and a good 50% more powerful) and it's routinely mocked for its low acceleration. I doubt the Centurion could outdrag a loaded UPS van and I think passing slower traffic would take some serious planning ahead. That is, if one could find slower traffic.
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Originally Posted by sgtlethargic
"Turbocharging the engine would increase maximum power and performance, and improve fuel economy as well.
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I think that's true in practice, though not in theory (huh?). In my experience, what turbocharging gives me is access to more power when I need it, which is rarely, but it sucks plenty of fuel at turbo-power. Most of the time, it acts like its 25 hp NA version (I cruise at low power and zero boost) but when I want it I can get 33 hp, thanks to the turbo, but it's not a particularly efficient 33 hp. Point is, 33 hp is available on demand, though I probably only demand it an average of 20 seconds per hour of driving. To get the same power NA, I'd need the next size up, one cylinder and 400cc bigger, which would hurt efficiency at cruise and I'd still only want full power for 20 seconds an hour.
So in theory, turbocharging doesn't help efficiency, but in practice, it lets you run a smaller motor so the overall effect is positive. At least, that's my experience with the Kubotas.
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Originally Posted by sgtlethargic
So, it looks like one needs a non-car/motorcycle engine to achieve 100 mpg with an ICE and no driving tricks.
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Basjoos's Aerocivic site says he gets 100 mpg at a steady 60 mph and 120 mpg at 40 mph, with a standard Honda Civic lean burn engine and extreme aerodynamic mods, so it looks like it's possible. It doesn't look easy, though.
Quote:
Originally Posted by sgtlethargic
What might be good sources for used gas and diesel engines of ~20 hp with an appropriate powerband?
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The Kubota D1105T (like mine) is used in some commercial greenskeeper's lawnmowers, and some folks upgrade to the V1505T (the four cylinder version) and others just crash their mowers. Now and then I see these engines used on Craigslist for fifteen hundred bucks or so. Also there's a guy on eBay that's bringing in used Kubotas etc from Japan, only the NA models but if 25 horse will do you, they're there.