More Cylinders Deactivated
I just wanted to add something to your recent cylinder deactivation article
Cylinder Deactivation Reborn - Part 2...
I want to let you know that the US-built Honda Civic Hybrid (IMA) has a valve
pause system that’s used to reduce fuel consumption by deactivating three of the
four cylinders. It works from oil pressure in a similar way to the VTEC system,
the only difference being that oil pressure controls small pistons inside the
rockers. The rockers are normally locked, which allows the valves to function as
usual unless the spool valve switches off oil pressure to the rocker pistons
(somewhere between 900 and 3200 rpm). I am not sure if you have this model in
Australia but I know it is over here in the UK and I think it is in the US too.
Hope this helps.
Nick
UK
Wire-in Boost
I was looking around the ‘net and came across a product called the ESC
supercharger (made by a guy in the US called Thomas Knight). It uses a 5 – 8hp
motor that’s run off two or three batteries and they claim it produces up to
100hp gains over stock. It can only be run for 15 seconds at a time and the
batteries will last for 400 seconds (approx). The batteries are charged via the
alternator and/or overnight with a 240V charger. I asked about an ESC
supercharger for my Peugeot V6 and they replied saying that it would make an
extra 65hp at 5 psi. For more info go to boosthead.com Any chance you could find
out some more info? Love the mag.
Tim
Australia
We’ve covered the ESC supercharger in
the article Electric Boost.
If you fit one to your Pug please let us know – we (and a lot of
other people) would be very interested to hear the results!
Can’t Find the Article
I read one of your articles on washable air filters. The URL for the article
was http://www.autospeed.com/cms/A_2232/article.html
[/url]
but this seems to have changed. Is the article still available?
Peter Hall
Australia
You just need to drop the
[/url]
from
the end of the link (we’re not sure where you might have got that from). The
correct url is Don't Bother Changing the Factory Filter
Another Suitable Turbo
Regarding sourcing a turbo for your Toyota Prius... Did you consider an IHI
turbo off a Ford Laser TX3? They are a good little turbo with standard boost set
at around 7 psi. There would be a fair supply of them out there, although you
might be hard pressed to find one that hadn't been boosted (or blown). But, even
at 12 psi, mine hasn't missed a beat in three years.
Matt Ellery
Australia
We went with what was available and in
good condition at the time – but, yes, the Laser’s little IHI RHB5 would be
another suitable turbo.
IEBC Problem
I finally finished the IEBC (Independent Electronic Boost Controller), but as
soon as I connect it to the hand controller I get dotted lines on top of the
screen - what is going on? I know the controller is okay because I used it
elsewhere. I’m 100 percent sure that the IEBC is spot-on. I even went and bought
"and used with no luck" the peak-hold injector kit - just in case... The motor I
have is a Toyota 1JZ-GTE. What is going on - any ideas?
Leon Leondiadis
Australia
It’s very difficult to suggest a
specific cause. Double check that the components are correctly positioned and
oriented, check the soldering, check there is no damage to the solder tracks and
try again. If you still don’t have any luck we suggest contacting Silicon Chip magazine
(the designers of the kits). Note to readers - preassembled and tested versions
of the IEBC are available at extra cost.
Fast Charged
In regard to restarting your Prius (When One Mistake Can Kill)
and your surprise when a low charging current was enough to start it...
You said the battery pack was made of D cells. A charge rate of 500mA into a
single D cell would be more than adequate to charge a battery (I just looked and
a NiMH D cell is about 10AH). The rule of thumb for a slow charge is 0.1 x the
amp-hour rating. Because they are all wired in series, your charge current of
500mA applies to all of the batteries. After hours of trying at successively
higher currents, I'm not surprised the battery pack was charged.
It was good to see you emphasised the safety aspects of working on such a
car.
Christian Hack
Australia
Drag Information Found
In regard to David Coles’ question “Daihatsu Drag” Response...
Go to www.gtechprosupport.com
It’s a good website with an aero drag calculator and a link to heaps of drag
coefficients and frontal areas. But if he wants total drag at all speeds he will
need to somehow add in the other losses in the drivetrain.
Craig Vincent
New Zealand
Hi-Ace Hankerer
I just became a member of your site was wondering if you could shed a little
light on the Toyota Hi-Ace super custom vans?
I’ve read (Hi-Ace Hankering)
through and through and it is exactly the type of van I’m looking for. I
currently have a 1992 Hi-Ace semi camper and am looking at upgrading. I’ve
contacted Sports and Luxury Cars about the blue van you drove and found them to
be pretty helpful. What I am after is insurance - I’m finding it hard to get it
in New South Wales (I’m 27, never had an accident, never lost my licence and
never had a claim). What I’ve found is that when you say “Japanese import” they
nearly hang up on you - is this always the case? Also, what would be the fuel
consumption of the 3-litre diesel turbo? My biggest concern is parts - I’ve
tried searches on the ‘net and found nothing. Do you know of anywhere that
supports them? Oh, and do you know if you’re able to import these vans in newer
models? So far, 1996 is the latest one I’ve found.
Christopher
Australia
Insuring a Japanese import vehicle can
be a problem but you should be able to find a company that’s willing. Just Car
Insurance or Shannons are probably your best bet. Sports and Luxury Cars are the
ones to talk to re importing later models and should be able to provide the
details of the back-up parts service they provide. We aren’t aware of any
wreckers that carry imported Hi-Aces. Unfortunately, we haven’t
recorded any fuel consumption data for these vehicles – we suggest looking at the
fuel consumption of the Toyota Hilux 3-litre turbo diesel as a rough guide.
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