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April 3, 2008
CAFE Standards Mean We’ll Be Getting More Boost
By Jen Dunnaway
Editor
The new CAFE standards, which will require automakers to be getting a fleet average of 35 mpg by 2012, have a lot of them throwing resources into turbo development, which will allow cars to run smaller and more efficient engines without, as they say, "sacrificing performance." Both Ford and GM have throttled back on big V8 development in favor of turbo’d V6’s—Ford, to kick off its Ecoboost program, will offer a 3.5L twin-turbo V6 for the 2009 Lincoln MKS, and GM is expected to do something comparable with its 3.6L. Turbocharged 6’s and certainly 4’s might help the automakers reach their emissions goals, critics suggest, but savings at the pump for consumers are likely to be negated by the preference of these engines for premium gas. What do you all think? Assuming gas costs would be roughly equivalent, would you rather have more boost, or bigger displacement?
Read more at Edmunds.
Comments









GTwildfire
Apr 5, 2008 at 6:41 am
Here’s a novel concept. IF turbos became the norm, they would be more affordable.
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Equipment manufactured in smaller lots cost more, because the tooling and production cost vs. the amount of parts produced is greater.
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Take that exact same amount of tooling and prep, and instead up the number of units produced into the millions. The cost decreases significantly.
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I’ve designed custom tools in the past (what I was schooled to do originally). The cost to produce one prototype I’ve done was $16,000. The cost of production was in the hundreds, if hundreds were to be produced.
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Also, consider that more commonplace turbos would mean more third-party manufacturers will be producing replacements for certain makes of cars. They will be more readily available and competition will also shave off cost.
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In short, Turbos will become less of an exotic item, and more of just another a common part, like a master cylinder or altenator.
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…and don’t jibe me about them spinning in the tens of thousands of rpms. While that sounds extreme, it’s not really anything special to produce anymore. Not on a mass scale.
Jeremy
Apr 5, 2008 at 3:12 am
displacement. less parts to break.
Soup78
Apr 4, 2008 at 3:32 pm
I suppose the addition of a turbo/supercharger will add $2G’s to a new car/truck. I would like it if GM put a turbo in the Colorado like back in the day with the Syclone’s.
i_luv_dusty
Apr 4, 2008 at 1:02 pm
This means it’s going to be that much easier to tune cars and get more power out of them. SWEET.
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Most factory-turbocharged vehicles have forged internals, which means they can take a bit of a beating. So, all you need is an aftermarket boost controller to up the boost level, bigger injectors, and some tuning, and you’ll easily be making more than the stock horsepower.
Highspeedhijinks
Apr 4, 2008 at 1:00 pm
Bigger displacement… think about it people less moving parts means less parts to break. Hey VW guys ever find out what it costs to replace your turbo in a 1.8t. Yeah lots of Duechmarks
Derrick
Apr 4, 2008 at 12:50 pm
My Jeep already runs on premium and gets 10mpg, so you tell me what i want.
Also here is a little math:
lets say you have a 20 gal. tank and 87 is $3.29 and 93 is $3.59:
3.29*20=$65.80, your V8 gets 13mpg, 65.80/13=$5.06
3.59*20=$71.80, your turbo 4 gets 23mpg, 71.80/23=$3.12
(if you do not understand or i am a complete loony and fucked something up, TOO BAD!!!)
GTwildfire
Apr 4, 2008 at 12:21 am
Aspirating engines with turbochargers often gives huge boosts in power. Also, most stock cars can often be tuned to squeeze out more power. No reason auto makers can’t do on assembly lines what everyday people do in their garages or driveways.
This way automakers can continue to cling tenaciously to producing IC cars, deny people a change that’s really needed in what powers them.
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Sounds like a plan…
retroman
Apr 3, 2008 at 11:59 pm
No replacement for displacement they say. Really though, I already got a factory turboed Spirit R/T pushing 224 stock. Gets 30+mpg and is almost every bit as quick as a new Mustang GT I’m rebuilding it. I could go all out and break 500hp off of just 2.2l of displacement, but I’ll keep her between 300-350 because I want to keep a factory look. I’ll keep my smaller cars for daily transportation. I’m still craving a V8 for the weekends though.
Secret Squirrel
Apr 3, 2008 at 11:18 pm
Turbos will typically require the higher octane gas, so more costly, but more mileage, it might all wash out, but i’m positive.
Stewart
Apr 3, 2008 at 11:09 pm
Well….
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I’m a fan of both.
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I love my 5.7 liter, and have plans to stroke it to 383 CI.
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That said, I just sold our Supercharged 3.8L Riviera. That car was pretty quick, and with a few minor modifications, they can run really quick.
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Also, one of my all-time-favorite cars is the 1987 Buick Regal Grand National.
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Buick did some amazing stuff back in the day. Those cars were faster and quicker than any other car. The Corvette guys hated them.
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I guess it didn’t help that a lot of the GN guys had bumper stickers that read: “I brake for Corvettes” !!!
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As long as cars have performance, and don’t all become hybrid-boring-drones, I’ll be happy.
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I don’t want the best performance car out there to be the Prius “R”!
Patrick
Apr 3, 2008 at 10:55 pm
so damn awesome is 400hp+ on TAP while getting 32MPG highway…
I LOVE my 4 banger with the GT2871R.
Kick the ass outta a TON of stuff out there AND make it further down the highway if I want.
kap0w
Apr 3, 2008 at 10:11 pm
I’ll go with Turbo. Displacement is nice (regular gas and no lag) but I’m a huge fan of small cars with big power. I like a cheap little ride that I can throw around corners that has the power to pull me back out. Sounds like turbo for the win!
saturn
Apr 3, 2008 at 9:38 pm
displacment if same cost in gas. lag sux
and v8s sound sooo sweet
cknarf
Apr 3, 2008 at 9:16 pm
bigger displacement
Dee
Apr 3, 2008 at 8:40 pm
Its 20 more cents than regular. SO what? You will end up puting an extra couple dollars in during fill up. If you cant afford to throw an extra 5 dollors toward it then you shouldnt have bought a turbo charged car.