Hybrid & Related News New cars, press releases, articles and more. Reply only. Have news?

GM focusing on improving light truck fuel economy

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
  #1  
Old 05-19-2005, 08:11 PM
Jason's Avatar
Site Founder
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2003
Posts: 4,623
Default GM focusing on improving light truck fuel economy

Sounds a lot like Honda's system to me. Since when did GM have this ability?
General Motors is bringing new hybrid and gasoline engine technology to bear to help boost fuel economy of light trucks.

Displacement on demand (DOD) is what Brian McVeigh, general manager for GM’s Fleet & Commercial division, believes should offer the biggest boost to light truck fuel economy. DOD turns engine cylinders “on” and “off” depending on how much power the vehicle needs at any one time. That would give GM’s V-8 engines the ability to sip gasoline like a V-4 in light inner city and steady highway driving conditions, said McVeigh.
http://fleetowner.com/news/gm_light_...conomy_051905/
 
  #2  
Old 05-21-2005, 03:30 PM
iboomalot's Avatar
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 97
Default Re: GM focusing on improving light truck fuel economy

Since the late 1970s early 80s. 1981 maybe before. Us old folks will remember the V-8/6/4 Caddy

see if I can find you a link to some info

"4. Cadillac V-8-6-4 - In the early 1980s, Cadillac started to feel the heat from Mercedes-Benz and BMW. Already bruised by the diesel debacle, Cadillac wanted to make a grand engineering statement.

The V-8-6-4 - GM's first attempt at cylinder deactivation - did make a statement, but not the kind that Cadillac wanted. The engine bucked and jerked. The transition of the cylinders turning off and on was so rough and unreliable that it angered many Cadillac owners.

But the idea behind the V-8-6-4 - to shut off the flow of oil to the lifters and close down cylinders - was a good one. Unfortunately, the sensors and computing power to make the system work seamlessly just wasn't available back then.

Flash-forward to today. GM is in production with its Displacement on Demand cylinder-deactivation system on its mid-sized SUVs. Powerful computers shut off the flow of oil to the valve lifters, which turns off half the cylinders when at highway cruising speed. This gives about a 5 percent fuel economy gain and costs GM just $50 per engine to install.

The system works so smoothly, drivers don't know it's there. Chrysler has a similar system for its hot-selling Hemi V-8s."

http://www.autosafety.org/article.php?scid=77&did=1091


"A terrible idea in 1981 may be the solution for increased fuel economy in the new century.
We're speaking of the short-lived Cadillac 8-6-4 engine that proved a major flop in 1981. General Motors, which suffered a major black eye with the 8-6-4 failures, is looking to bring back a version of that engine.

GM's Powertrain Group's executive director for advanced engineering Fritz Indra said he believes the time is ripe for cylinder deactivation, the technology behind the old 8-6-4. Mr. Indra said it is the simplest and least expensive way to improve fuel economy. "

http://www.highbeam.com/library/doc0...eyword=&teaser=
 

Last edited by iboomalot; 05-21-2005 at 03:44 PM.
  #3  
Old 05-21-2005, 05:30 PM
iboomalot's Avatar
Active Enthusiast
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 97
Default Re: GM focusing on improving light truck fuel economy

What I just thought would be cool is if that technology could be put into a TDI motor

V-6 TDI that could be a 2 or 3 banger on the HWY and also put in some electric and you have a diesel sipping POWERFULL when needed engine.

That would rock 175hp 300 ft/lbs and 50+ city 70+ hwy would rock.

just a thought.

hope the links helped have fun
 
  #4  
Old 11-28-2006, 09:59 AM
treefarmer's Avatar
Enthusiast
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 4
Default Re: GM focusing on improving light truck fuel economy

If the cylinder deactivation only costs $50.00 can it be added to an existing V6 Sonnoma pickup as an after market add on?
 
  #5  
Old 11-28-2006, 06:51 PM
AshenGrey's Avatar
Hybrid True Believer
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Baltimore, MD
Posts: 881
Default Re: GM focusing on improving light truck fuel economy

It seems to me that DoD and FAS would be a good way to modestly improve FE on the cheap for a wide variety of trucks. From what I've read, FAS is a bit more useful than BAS since it can energize several 110v power outlets.

So... How much tweaking would be required to upgrade FAS into something resembling a 1st-gen IMA?
 
  #6  
Old 12-09-2006, 07:50 PM
martinjlm's Avatar
Proud to be GM
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Detroit
Posts: 564
Default Re: GM focusing on improving light truck fuel economy

Originally Posted by treefarmer
If the cylinder deactivation only costs $50.00 can it be added to an existing V6 Sonnoma pickup as an after market add on?
No. An incredible amount of vehicle integration is required to deal with the shifting back and forth. Imagine the balance issues involved with having your V6 engine fire on only three cylinders as opposed to its more natural 6 cylinders. On side of the engine would be firing on two cylinders while the other is firing on one. Continuously.

GM's applications that have Active Fuel Management (AFM) require special engine mounts tuned to adapt real-time to the engine's shift in operating mode. This also requires very sophisticated algorithm management to make certain all the impacted computer modules in the car know when the engine is in full mode or half mode.

Peace,

Martin
 
  #7  
Old 12-09-2006, 07:52 PM
martinjlm's Avatar
Proud to be GM
Join Date: Sep 2005
Location: Detroit
Posts: 564
Default Re: GM focusing on improving light truck fuel economy

Originally Posted by AshenGrey
It seems to me that DoD and FAS would be a good way to modestly improve FE on the cheap for a wide variety of trucks. From what I've read, FAS is a bit more useful than BAS since it can energize several 110v power outlets.

So... How much tweaking would be required to upgrade FAS into something resembling a 1st-gen IMA?
You will see AHS-2 applications with AFM (the trademarked acronym for Active Fuel Management, which is the actual name for GM's "Displacement On Demand system).

Peace,

Martin
 
Related Topics
Thread
Topic Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
Curated Content Editor
Journalism & The Media
0
04-02-2014 03:40 PM
cak615
HCH I-Specific Discussions
2
10-28-2013 08:11 PM
SadCarTime
HCH I-Specific Discussions
4
07-09-2012 08:05 AM
Earthling
Fuel Economy & Emissions
102
04-19-2007 08:09 PM
Jason
Website Questions & Input
35
07-11-2006 05:22 AM



Quick Reply: GM focusing on improving light truck fuel economy


Contact Us -

  • Manage Preferences
  • Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service - Your Privacy Choices -

    When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

    © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands


    All times are GMT -7. The time now is 10:37 PM.