motorsports contribution to Kyoto

DanJR1 · 16 Feb 2005, 19:23 (Ref:1227494)

maybe all racing cars should run on bio ethanol or bio diesel. wouldnt take much to do it really. just a few modifications to engines and with bioethanol, a bigger fuel tank

Al Weyman · 16 Feb 2005, 20:20 (Ref:1227566)

So how do I make my V8 Camaro run on Diesel? Only way would be to change the engine, not exactly a cheap conversion. I have a Range Rover on Autogas I and I think that would be a good alternative fuel but I think you would loose performance and I am not sure what the effects on the piston crowns would be in competition use on gas as I know to my own cost it is very easy to wipe out an engiine by pre-detonation in a hurry. Shame more research on performance using Autogas has not been carried out as I know it can stand a higher compression ratio and more advance than petrol. I tell you this though I guarantee if I was to fit one of my cars with gas as a bit of a project I would run into all sorts of scrutineering and elligibility issues.

DanJR1 · 16 Feb 2005, 20:25 (Ref:1227576)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

So how do I make my V8 Camaro run on Diesel? Only way would be to change the engine, not exactly a cheap conversion. I have a Range Rover on Autogas I and I think that would be a good alternative fuel but I think you would loose performance and I am not sure what the effects on the piston crowns would be in competition use on gas as I know to my own cost it is very easy to wipe out an engiine by pre-detonation in a hurry. Shame more research on performance using Autogas has not been carried out as I know it can stand a higher compression ratio and more advance than petrol. I tell you this though I guarantee if I was to fit one of my cars with gas as a bit of a project I would run into all sorts of scrutineering and elligibility issues.

dont use diesel, use bio enthanol. u just need to change some of the parts (seals, injectors, fuel tank)

I had another thought. Cars using restrictors could get rid of them if they use bio ethanol because it doesnt ( in the same quantities) produce the same horsepower. around 60% .

Al Weyman · 16 Feb 2005, 20:36 (Ref:1227598)

Formula Talbot triied it in the 70's (I think may be 80's) a bit like a Formula Ford but with an ethanol powered Talbot engine. Never really caught on.

Anuauto · 16 Feb 2005, 20:55 (Ref:1227622)

Maybe all road cars should have continued to be been run on (the extremely minute and further reducing quantities of) lead in fuel and using the "lean burn" technology being developed in the UK (by Ford and Rover?) at the time the EU was influenced (by makers of large German cars?) to go for poor quality US-derived unleaded fuel and catalytic converters that produce far greater quantities of the "greenhouse gas" CO2 that has been pumped into the atmosphere for all those years now..........

**dtype38** · 18 Feb 2005, 14:20 (Ref:1229365)

A couple of kart tracks I've been to run "thunderkarts" which are LPG conversions. They seem to run fine, so would that be a better option for the environment, or would the potential risks in an accident be too great?

Al Weyman · 18 Feb 2005, 20:13 (Ref:1229663)

I don't think they would be any more dangerous than petrol, the gas is contained in a reinforced steel tank. As for the environment, put it this way, when I took my Rangie for an MOT it recorded zero C02 and the engineer thought there was a fault on his equipment. That is why I can drive into central London and not pay the C charge. The fuel costs 36.7 pence a litre in Sainsburys so it makes sense all round, also the engine will never need a de-carb and the oil will stay as clean as the day you put it i.

greenamex2 · 20 Feb 2005, 10:43 (Ref:1230618)

LPG cars aren't allowed on the channel tunnel train. I suspect somebody is worried about the quality of some of the conversions rather than the fuel itself!

Al Weyman · 20 Feb 2005, 11:12 (Ref:1230631)

Hi Dennis,

Ever seen the drop of petrol on a bean can experiment which shows the destructive force of petrol once it turns into a gas, I think channel tunnel operators are being a bit over zealous and I did not know that fact actually. Tell me this then if I wanted to take my Range Rover on the train would I be able to drain the gas tanks and run on petrol or is that a no no as well, I am very suprised they don't allow that.

greenamex2 · 21 Feb 2005, 11:36 (Ref:1231347)

Sorry Alan, no idea. I just spotted once in a Motorhome magazine and logged it away to investigate further if it ever effected me.

pitcrew · 21 Feb 2005, 18:53 (Ref:1231643)

Quote:

Originally Posted by Al Weyman

Shame more research on performance using Autogas has not been carried out as I know it can stand a higher compression ratio and more advance than petrol. I tell you this though I guarantee if I was to fit one of my cars with gas as a bit of a project I would run into all sorts of scrutineering and elligibility issues.

Vauxhall SRI Chapionship ran a gas powerd car running with the toca championship few years ago but never performed, too much of a power loss, the whole idea of petrol engines as it is, is supprisingly unefficient to start with unfortunatly.

Al Weyman · 21 Feb 2005, 19:10 (Ref:1231668)

Yes but f the WHOLE field had been gas powered who would have noticed any difference in the racing spectacle, the odd second a lap would be niether here nor there if the whole field were in the same boat. The point is Vauxhall do manufacture a gas option and I think they may have missed a golden oppertunity to present a responsible face of motorsport.

pitcrew · 21 Feb 2005, 19:35 (Ref:1231698)

o yea sorry if the whole grid was powerd that way then yes they missed out big time there!

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