Quote:
Originally Posted by 93hatchDX
what are the best cars for this type of thing?
Fiat, MG, Datsun, alfa, ?
What are the best high FE engines for this idea? geo 3 cyl- 600cc turbo diesel, ?
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What are the best cars for this type of thing?
The best type of cars are light weight like under 1,700lbs curb weight, have removable bodies like VW bugs, Have a solid aftermarket for easy parts sourcing, one that is older than 1975 for ease of licensing in the US, and one that you can pick up dirt cheap that is a rolling chassis.
What are the best high FE engines for this idea? geo 3 cyl- 600cc turbo diesel, ?
Gas = Fast and Diesel = distance
This can be argued in the right situations and many may disagree with this but let me explain the reasoning a little. Can diesels go fast absolutely just look at who has one the Le Mans race in recent years. They have been dominated by diesels. This is no surprise as diesel fuel has more BTU than gas there for more energy. I can literally write a page as to why a diesel is a much better option for a MPG project than a Kei or Geo 3 cylinder. Diesel engines themselves are more efficient at converting fuel to energy also than gas engines and they will last longer in general. There are many 1 Liter sized diesel engined cars that get over 100mpg and are nothing special in regards to coefficient of drag and ecomodding mods.
Here is an example of a small 1.1 Liter Kubota diesel tractor engined car that gets 100mpg =
MAX: Our Quest for a DIY 100-MPG Car - Green Transportation - MOTHER EARTH NEWS
In order to drive at highway speeds in a small light weight car you will only need around 12hp if that with the right gearing setup!
If you want better mileage than a small micro diesel such as 750cc or less is the direction you want to go. If you are worried about acceleration with such a small engine then you hybridize it with electric and achieve greater acceleration and obtain start stop no idle and engine shutoff during cruise for even better MPG ability
This route will also give you the option of regenerative braking another bonus for the ecomodder!
The best fuel economy ability will come from a small light car with a small displacement diesel engine period
In my experience 85 mph is more than adequate top speed for a vehicle and 12hp with the right car and gearing will get you there. This is a great forum with loads of info on how to go about a high mpg build so do your research and ask a lot of questions. The majority of people here are very helpful in this regard. You can PM me anytime if you ever have a question.
Good luck,
GH..