Cylinder Deactivation

[cfg83]

snedden -

Originally Posted by snedden

Sorry to jack the thread but... I read some folks opinions on removal of connecting rod and pistons for deactivation and wanted to share an experience. My dad who taught me all of his redneck engineering, once made a 2 cylinder VW that lasted over a year only because it was on its last legs to start with. (Case threads were stripped). At any rate, he pulled two pistons out because of a spun bearing on one journal so it would not shake so badly. He used a hose clamp and a strip of beer can around the journal to keep oil pressure to the other journals. The car took almost a half mile to get up to 55mph, but he drove it for over a year before the case studs gave up for good. It ran smoothly, idled fine and got well over 30mpg. Thanks for everyones efforts here...cheers.

This is pretty cool. I assume you are talking about a classic Beetle (pre-VW Rabbit). Can you remember which 2 pistons were removed?

Here's a stretch :

VWs are flat-4 air cooled "boxer" motors
Subarus are flat-4 water cooled "boxer" motors

I wonder if there is something in the balance of a flat-four that lends itself to stable cylinder deactivation.

This implies to me that you could :

- Take a classic VW bug
- Remove the body down to the belly pan
- Put on a super-light body shell (dune buggy or ?!?!?)
- Add light-weight bucket seats
- Remove 2 cylinders
=> Have thrifty 2 cylinder VW

Reference - Flat engine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_engine

CarloSW2

[Snax]

Originally Posted by cfg83

I wonder if there is something in the balance of a flat-four that lends itself to stable cylinder deactivation.

This implies to me that you could :

- Take a classic VW bug
- Remove the body down to the belly pan
- Put on a super-light body shell (dune buggy or ?!?!?)
- Add light-weight bucket seats
- Remove 2 cylinders
=> Have thrifty 2 cylinder VW

Reference - Flat engine
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flat_engine

CarloSW2

Absolutely. Any buddy pair could be deactivated for balanced operation. That's one of the reasons Subaru has been such an advocate of the boxer motor. They don't have to reinvent the wheel every time they want to add or remove cylinders.

[cfg83]

theclencher -

Originally Posted by theclencher

Carlo-

Minnesota State University- Mankato did almost EXACTLY what you outlined around 1980! They put a 'glass baja kit on an old VW bug, took out two cylinders, and named it the "50/50" as in 50 mph and 50 mpg. Unfortunately all the data I had on it was stolen from me, and I can't find any mention of it online.

The e-vile petrol manufactures stole it!!!!!!! Why won't you believe me?!?!?!?!?!?! It's cool to know that someone already made it. It's a natural, I guess. I wish the Kit-Car market was still bug-based instead of custom-tubular-chassis-super-expensive-design-based. If it was a Master's thesis, it should be on file in the archives.

This is also why I wish Subaru would offer econobox 2WD cars. They have 4-banger cylinder-deactivation sitting in their lap!!!!!

Regarding lost cars, I have the same problem with the "Ford Gnat" I saw at an LA auto show in the late 70's early 80's. It was designed by Ghia and now that I think of it, was practically a pre-CRX, or a pre-Metro. It was maybe a little bigger than a Fiat 500 and it was super tiny cool. I couldn't even find it at the Russian concept car site you used in other threads.

CarloSW2

[Snax]

Originally Posted by cfg83

This is also why I wish Subaru would offer econobox 2WD cars. They have 4-banger cylinder-deactivation sitting in their lap!!!!!

What? You don't want to see this of Ferraris and Porsches?

As far as Subaru is concerned, they went to the AWD-only platform in 96 or so. There are definately some pre-96 FWD Imprezas out there that might be worth exploiting.

[cfg83]

Snax -

Originally Posted by Snax

What? You don't want to see this of Ferraris and Porsches?

The thought hadn't occurred to me, but whyyyyyyyyy not!?!?!?!?!

[I]
As far as Subaru is concerned, they went to the AWD-only platform in 96 or so. There are definately some pre-96 FWD Imprezas out there that might be worth exploiting.

I didn't know that. Subaru is so funny. They have their "niche", but if they want an MPG contender, they need a 2WD option. Econo-boxer-engines for the rest of us!!!!!

CarloSW2