Quote:
Originally Posted by serialk11r
No it doesn't decrease fuel efficiency. It has lower energy density but permits more thermally efficient engine operation. If you could convert gasoline to ethanol with no chemical energy loss, you'd be using less.
It's not that hard to upgrade the fuel system for ethanol, but it is a cost that isn't necessary if the car is never going to see ethanol fuel.
@ Allch Chcar I think POS econoboxes ARE the solution. You can only go so far with technology and whatever. In poorer countries people don't even really care about performance, they just want something that moves, and doesn't break. For the majority of drivers around the world even in rich countries this is how it is. People want some degree of comfort, reliability, and utility. Which is why I think car companies should start cutting down engine size and implementing something like what the Geo Metro had, a fuel efficient cam with lower intake duration. Less cost, less weight, less power. Can't have everything. Besides with the green movement, less and less people are asking for power and instead are being careful with the gas pedal. Those people certainly won't notice a difference from cutting max torque by like 20%. While it's good to see stuff like GM and Ford moving to smaller displacement + turbo, cutting power on everything that really doesn't need it is necessary for fuel efficiency gains that don't hurt the wallet at purchase.
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I agree with you on the econoboxes.
Upgrading the fuel system is only if your serious about running E85. It's pretty safe to say you could run it stock, many people do that, but I wouldn't do it out of a heap of caution. And because I'm pretty serious about running my car on E85 without a proper setup, the only problem is I don't have the money to do it right! Argh!
And don't expect to save any money with E85. Local prices are $3.39 for E85 vs $3.67 for Gasoline, gouging!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Dimman
I have a Car & Driver mag with a review between the new gen Prius and Insight. For shits and giggles they added in an old 3 door Geo Metro. The Prius had the better mileage between it and the Insight.
But the Geo matched the Prius!
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Of course! And at half the price!