Fuel efficiency or home efficiency contest

[Capt. Quirk]

A lot could be learned from that old B&S L-Head configuration. Engine builders can get more horsepower with the 5hp upright engine than the newer OHV intec engines, fully modified uprights can exceed 45 horsepower.

With common microprocessors you could make your own ignition and fuel injection systems, changes to the engine like (mechanical) adjustable cam timing and or valve lift or even (microprocessor controlled) electronic valve solenoids and scrap the camshaft altogether. Also there is a large amount of aftermarket parts available.

Engine testing could be accomplished with a small, easy to build inertia dyno that could simulate the actual vehicle.

[MrForbes]

We had a few small water brake dynos in on of the engineering labs, I used one (and a balance to measure fuel consumption) to test the engine before and after modifying it, and calculated BSFC at full and part throttle. I ended up winning a contest (and an HP-41 calculator) in my design class, mainly because I actually tested the effectiveness of my design....no one else did....

[dtengineering]

Is it a race or an efficiency contest? One hour, limited batteries, fastest average speed wins. It is electrathon racing and we used to do it here in Vancouver (video) before getting into FIRST.

Some of our student-designed cars had a long way to go in the efficiency area, but racing still played a role as a good driver could make or break (literally) your car. I found electrathon combined speed, technology, and efficiency with a good pit atmosphere and exciting races.

Maybe you will, too.

Jason