01Pewter

About 5 years ago, I saw a demonstration of an engine with electronic valve lifters. The demonstration was at the SAE show.

TAMUz28

You'd probably still need a starter...gotta bump the motor over somehow ;)

ledfoot

Call me old school, I'd still rather have a ZR-1 :(

David In Indy :seeya
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2000 NBM M6-Coupe
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Euros/Lloyd Mats/Chrome Shifter/Ripper/Halltech tric/T-bypass/Taylor
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[Modified by ledfoot, 8:40 PM 8/7/2002]

MRWHOOPPEE

HMMMMMMMMM? :cheers:

Rhino21149

Well, okay, if they say so, but I'm not going to hold my breath for the "camless engine." There have been tech articles (in SAE journals) and other hints and tidbits about it for years. I've actually seen "it" (at least once version of it) and I don't think it was that secret. It was 350 c.i. It did look like an LS-type block (it was definately alum. It did use electronically controlled solenoid/hydraulics to actuate the valves. Its "cam profile" could be programmed to change dynamically with RPM, throttel oppening, etc., to be optimal under all cirsumstances. And it had a unique property: it had an absolutely flat torque curve -- it prodiced the same torque (about 425 ft lb. i think) at all RPMs. There is some sort of maximum based on max flow rate or something. I know because I reserached it and used this characteristic in a lot of lectures I gave in the last few years on optimization of engineering systems -- nothing like an example to get the average students attention, and Corvette tend to do that.

Anyway, the facts as I understood them were that: a) it was a research project, widely discussed published, I doubt anyone would get fired for that, b) the one I saw was two feet taller than any production engine (the valve actuators are B I G, and they tend to get hot at high RPM, and they have short lives, c) and they have the same problem that Mercedes had years ago with the desmodromic valves on the 300 Sl years ago -- closing bounce and etc., which the computer can control, but the limitations it sets above about 4,500 are rather severe and expensive.

Net, net, is I doubt that this is serious. No doubt G.M. has this engine -- like I said I've seen one version of camless technology and I track the tehcnical journal publications, and its not a secret in the technical community. But I doubt it is ready for prime time anytime soon. I'd bet on the G.M. variable compression ratio technology, and vairable value timing, first. They have that running (okay, so its in a Saab, at least its on the street now) first. The camless engine has not made it out of the stationary test stand, yet.

Blackjetvette97

Hi all,
I don't know about this technical mumbo-jumbo, but my neighbor is a manager at a local Chevy dealership and told me that the C6 will be close to 500 HP and about $70,000. I guess they are competing with the Viper. All info sounds liike a lot of rumor. Maybe it's a smoke-cloud for the real deal.....anti-gravity generators from alien technology :eek:

Steve

MI-Blue

Cool :cool:

With all the news of faster high performance 450-500+ hp sports cars and sedans coming out in the next few years, its with quiet optimism to read that GM will stay in the forefront of high performance based on this info/speculation. :)

el duderino

Corvetteforum member Mervz wrote that article. Who are his sources? If they have been fired, they obviously would by happy to talk about what they know now. Interesting reading though.

El Duderino

ScreaminDemon

There was a big write-up on this in an article I read in GM High Performance Magazine. I don't remember the month, seems like 6 months ago or more. But they did cover these electronically controlled actuators (sp) on a new camless engine.

evil-1

...Thanks for the info... :yesnod: ... I think I'll stay with my old push rod sled.... :lol:

RyanC7

Sounds cool...

:seeya

Mike Mercury

And when this turns out to be blatently false, do us a favor and slap your manager neighbor in the face. Then maybe he will slap the chap that told him this BS... and so on :)

There are starterless engines that have already been developed. They inject fuel into the clyinder that is in the position to fire, then ignite the spark plug; then do the same to the next clyinder that is in line to fire. The biggest problem was with cold engines in northern climates. They needed to be pre-warmed before starting. Don't expect to see this in a production vehicle soon !!!


[Modified by Mike Mercury, 10:35 AM 8/8/2002]

Nitro-C5

Great Article! :cheers:

CP

Another advantage of a 42volt system is that you can now power electronic brakes. No more master cylinder or brake lines. :hat

Arnie

I sure hope that most of what's in the article actually shows up on the C6 since I plan on buying one as a retirement gift to myself!

0Sales@MVPAutoParts.com

:D

boblackhardtop

:lol: :lol: :lol:

Duck916

I agree on the B-slap! GM's not gonna take the Corvette from 35,000 annual production down to 5000, which is what would happen (at best) if they raised the price that much.

Question about starterless motors--how do you develop compression? If I squirt some gas into the cylinder that happens to be near TDC, what's gonna generate the needed compression? For that matter, how is the fuel going to atomize when there's no airflow? I don't understand..... I'm no engineer, though.


:crazy:

Mike Mercury

from what I have read, the gas is shot into the cylinder (that's in the proper position) under high pressure; enough pressure to allow the mixture to ignite with a spark. I never think it will make it past the breadboard stage.

kewlbrz

If they break out the wire wrap tools. Look out! :lol: j/k