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Old 04-09-2012, 08:34 AM   #30 (permalink)
jime57
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OurInsight - '06 Honda Insight
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ecky View Post
Leaving the valves closed basically uses the air as a spring. The piston uses energy to compress it, but the air pushes the piston back down on the other side of the stroke. Leaving the valves open would waste the compression energy.
I think this may be the key to the arrangement. Since they chose cylinders 2 & 3, then not only is there an air "spring" there are two air springs which are 360 degrees of chank rotation apart. The spring effect is doubled, symetrical and complimentary.
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