experimental engine dyno project

[RobertISaar]

Originally Posted by oil pan 4

You put the EGR cooler in your exhaust stream and then plumb it into your heater core circuit, instant heat or faster warm ups and to some degree both.

I have a couple ideas as to how, but none are necessary cheap/simple.... but any thoughts as to how to force a significant amount of exhaust gasses through the cooler that doesn't involve repurposing some exhaust cutouts to make the exhaust path going through the cooler receive more flow than a path that doesn't have the cooler?

I could see the cooler receiving significant flow if it were used as an alternate path for exhaust that would otherwise flow through a cat.

Trying to route all of the exhaust through the cooler will work fine with certain engines, but they look like they would become super restrictive on anything that uses exhaust tubing larger than the ~1.5" they appear to be. could run them in parallel to allow more flow through them, but that could run into size/complexity issues pretty quickly.

[oil pan 4]

I was just going to use exhaust cut outs. They are very common OE on older 1980s vehicles. Most are vacuum or mechanically controlled.

You don't want all the engines exhaust trying to go through the cooler while running at speed. Plus you will want a way to close off flow to the exhaust heat exchanger when the weather warms back up. All of it at idle while warming up might be nice.

I think after the catalytic converter would be the best place to put it. The exhaust will be hotter and contain less soot.

[RobertISaar]

it wouldn't be too out of the way to build a small controller to try and handle most, if not all, of those functions automatically.

after-cat: yes, in a goal of making the most of the fuel, it would be wise to place it right after a device that's purpose is to essentially take any unburned fuel still in the exhaust and light it up.

[oil pan 4]

Control systems would be doable.
Vacuum thermostats and shutter stats were widely used before computer controls.
They are still used in some applications.

[AndrzejM]

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[synergy]

I wonder if you were to adjust cam timing on the intake as BACK as you could go..... Is the cam timing independently adjustable? You could try to make it almost an atkinson type engine. Hang the intake valves open 20-30 degrees past bdc. I bet that would help fuel economy big time. It would hurt power a bit, So I figure other mods like electric water/oil pump would help compensate for that.

[fujioko]

Hi 'ya Synergy,

Right now the engine has a stock non adjustable cam sprocket. Once I establish some baseline data I'll install the adjustable sprocket and we'll see what effects it will make. Since this is a single cam engine, both the intake and exhaust timing are effected. Should be interesting. The tests will be videoed and the cam sprocket test is #2 on the list.

Its been pretty cold in Michigan however I have been busy hammering away at the software. I think I'll have a fully automatic version 1.0 working by the weekend.

I should have some more updates soon.

Jim

[fujioko]

Sorry for the lack of updates, I have been busy writing software and working out test procedures.

Well, The dyno is now operational and can run pre-recorded tests. Fuel usage varies +- 2 grams on a 15 mile simulation...That is pretty good.








I shot an introduction video back in February and plan on shooting more video's on various experiments. https://youtu.be/q8Fu02ti93c

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8Fu02ti93c

More updates coming soon,

Jim

[MetroMPG]

Super impressive. The YT video is really good!

[Daox]

Incredible work, seriously. Thank you for doing this and sharing it with us Jim!