[Vwdiesel] Input on new project

[James Hansen]

Hi All

I'm asking for input on my next project, my first magazine article has been
officially published (April / May HomePower)and I've been working on a
series of articles as my next project and I'd like all of your input. It
will be a series of articles outlining the purchase, refurbishment and
necessary modifications to make a VW Diesel a Hybrid killer.
Originally I was planning on using a later model Jetta MkII but presently
being cash poor, I couldn't find anyone that was interested in trading my VW
diesel pickup for a 1986 or later Jetta Diesel. Well I can't wait any longer
I need to get started so I've decided to use my daughters 1981 Rabbit
instead. I think a Rabbit is probably better in the sense its lighter and in
my experience basically more efficent. And of course everything I do to the
Rabbit can be done to any of the indirect injection motors.
____

Can you budget for induction motor regenerative braking on the rear wheels?
:-)


I'm thinking a total budget of $3000 is reasonable, the plan is to be able
to produce a car that approaches 60mpg and has similar performance to a
Honda Civic Hybrid. I chose the Civic over the Toyota because a friend owns
a Civic hybrid and can provide me with real world baseline data.
I want to mention the VWdiesel list in the article because its the best
source of knowledge on the planet, and if anyone thinks that might be a
problem please mention it.
The Rabbit has 177,000 miles and low compression on cylinder 2 and a new
injection pump. part of the series will include choices on rebuild or
reringing. And dialing in injection pump volume. I've got a 4 channel
recording thermocouple I plan on modifying a manifold and measuring EGT at
each exhaust port. I also plan on modifying the volume screw so it can be
adjusted inside the cockpit. I think monitoring the EGT will allow me to
reduce the volume to a minimum without damaging the motor.
_____

reducing the injected fuel volume will not damage anything.  In a
compression ignition engine, less fuel equates to less heat.  You're
thinking gas engine where lean is hot.
Excessive fuel, and excessive timing causes high exhaust gas temps.


_____
I'd like to install a Turbo and if anyone can offer a hand in locating the
needed parts it would be helpful. I've been collecting parts to build a trip
computer so I can measure real time mileage, but time to work on it is
killing me. Any suggestions on a comercially available trip computer would
be great as well.
Anyway the end result should be interesting reading.
___

Good luck with your project - it sounds like fun.
Loren has an old trip computer, dunno if new ones are available.  He'll
know.
The real shame is, there are cars available in Europe that get mileage far
in excess of the best wettest hybrid dream, but the EPA does not allow
importation of such environmentally destructive noxious beasts... while
Escalades are just fine for the environment.
Of course you know about the Lupo and 3 litres/100km, and how about this at
1.5 litres/100km:
http://www.loremo.com/
I want one. Bad.   The 50hp GT, but it only does 2.7 litres/100km, such
waste.
Compared to this car, a Prius sucks donkey ass.

-James



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