engineer ponies up 110 mpg with '87 mustang

mojo · 07-09-2008, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Engineer Gets 110 MPG Out Of '87 Mustang

Ohio Man Competing For $10M Prize

POSTED: 10:21 am EDT July 2, 2008
UPDATED: 11:07 am EDT July 2, 2008

Doug Pelmear said he isn't toying with the engine of 1987 Ford Mustang for the money.

The engineer's tinkering, however, could earn him $10 million and save him plenty more in gas money.

Pelmear, who lives in Napoleon, Ohio, has tweaked his Mustang to get 110 mpg, making the engine nearly five times as efficient as a traditional gas engine, he told the Toledo Blade newspaper.

"We redesigned a lot of different things on the [engine] block," Pelmear told the paper. "It's still a rod-and-piston engine; it just has a lot more electronics on it."

Traditional gas engines operate at 8 to 10 percent, efficiency, while the engine on the Mustang, he said, is at 38 percent efficiency.

He said he could greatly increase even that number if his car used traditional gasoline instead of a mix of gas and 85 percent ethanol.

Pelmear entered his car to win the the $10 million Progressive Automotive X Prize: a race to find an affordable, marketable automobile that gets at least 100 miles per gallon.

"I'm an optimist, and I think people need to know there is hope out there," Pelmear told the Toledo Blade. "That's why I decided to enter the X Prize race. I could have sold this [technology] off, but then people might not have seen it.

Pelmear told television station WNWO that the car hasn't traded power for miles per gallon. Pelmear said the car has 400 horsepower, goes well over 100 mph and can go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds.

"This will bring back the automotive industry when they can sell trucks and SUVs and the models that are almost dead at this time," he told WNWO.

also see the link to the right for a video on this

DarkFury · 07-09-2008, 01:41 PM

Ha Ha... gotta love your creative link title.

Well hell... I owned a '89 Furd, so back then, probably yeah. I'd like to see what he could do with my Chrysler.

BTW... I can't see the video but...

Quote:

Pelmear told television station WNWO that the car hasn't traded power for miles per gallon. Pelmear said the car has 400 horsepower, goes well over 100 mph and can go from zero to 60 mph in three seconds.

I need to see this to believe this... Seriously.

Ok, I'm kinda skeptical about the facts they are tossin' around here, but hey, if he can make an old Furd do all that, then hell yeah I'd be on it.

/double checks to make sure it isn't April 1st.

renovation · 07-09-2008, 02:23 PM

the auto industry has know how to make way better mpg gas power cars for years .the problems been and still is keep the mpg and emissions in check at the same time. we all have heard story's of them (the big 3 auto makers ) getting super gas mileage on a big V8 for years now. but we all want a greener world to.

Thesifer · 07-09-2008, 03:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by renovation

the auto industry has know how to make way better mpg gas power cars for years .the problems been and still is keep the mpg and emissions in check at the same time. we all have heard story's of them (the big 3 auto makers ) getting super gas mileage on a big V8 for years now. but we all want a greener world to.

The problem is that its not very "Economically friendly" for the US Economy Pocketbook if we suddenly only need a Third of the gas we needed before.

What no one seems to realize is that if we run out of Gas / Oil we're screwed, and the time it would take to make a car like this and get enough on the road, should be plenty of time to stop an economy backlash.

MrGreg · 07-09-2008, 05:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFury

I'm kinda skeptical about the facts they are tossin' around here

I don't think 400 hp is enough to get a car the weight of a mustang (or even if he removed a bit of weight) from 0-60 in 3 seconds.

The Ariel Atom (245hp version) does 0-60 in 2.7, but it only weighs 1005 lbs.

This '87 Mustang weighed 2725 lbs stock (171% more) but only has 63% more power.

DarkFury · 07-09-2008, 07:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrGreg

I don't think 400 hp is enough to get a car the weight of a mustang (or even if he removed a bit of weight) from 0-60 in 3 seconds.

The Ariel Atom (245hp version) does 0-60 in 2.7, but it only weighs 1005 lbs.

This '87 Mustang weighed 2725 lbs stock (171% more) but only has 63% more power.

Also factor in the aerodynamics of the 87 Mustang... That thing was a "brick" back in the day.

Going 0 to 60 in 3 seconds... I'd like to see that one personally. I'd be truly amazed if it really can do that.

Show me a TIME SLIP buddy...

Thesifer · 07-09-2008, 08:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DarkFury

Also factor in the aerodynamics of the 87 Mustang... That thing was a "brick" back in the day.

Going 0 to 60 in 3 seconds... I'd like to see that one personally. I'd be truly amazed if it really can do that.

Show me a TIME SLIP buddy...

He could be wrong on the 3 seconds, but I wouldn't count him out completely on that. For all we know the story could be completely wrong, but only time will tell.

It is interesting that he says "I could have sold the technology but I'm not in it for the money, I'm in it for the uhhhhhh 10 million X Prize.............." I know he says he wanted to get the information out there, but come on, a Blog and a few hours on the internet can do that just as well these days. If he wasn't interested in the money at all, the specs would be ALL OVER the internet already.

DarkFury · 07-09-2008, 08:32 PM

Honestly, I'd like to see proof on claims like this. (I mean come on... 100MPG PLUS you get all the performance of a muscle car. It's a dream come true.)

Otherwise, this guy just got his 15 mins of fame.

Just because he made the newscast, really don't make it "news" unless he can show some empirical evidence to back up his claims. By the video, the only thing he has proven is that the car runs...

Plus each sticker on that car probably nets him an additional 10 horsepower and 10% increase in MPG.

johnnymk · 07-09-2008, 09:00 PM

I don't believe it for a second. And I agree with McGreg. There is no way a 400 hp engine could propel a car weighing over 3000 lbs. in 3 seconds.

BTW, a notchback '87 with a 4 cylinder could possibly weigh 2700 lbs, but I doubt if it's that light even with a 4 cylinder.

Thesifer · 07-09-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by johnnymk

I don't believe it for a second. And I agree with McGreg. There is no way a 400 hp engine could propel a car weighing over 3000 lbs. in 3 seconds.

BTW, a notchback '87 with a 4 cylinder could possibly weigh 2700 lbs, but I doubt if it's that light even with a 4 cylinder.

Yeah still not sure on his "Specs" I'm sure the truth will come out soon enough.

Btw who is McGreg? Is that MrGreg's MC Brother?

cruelpupet · 07-09-2008, 09:24 PM

just noticed this thread, and i heard a few days back that it was a lie.

DarkFury · 07-10-2008, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Thesifer

Btw who is McGreg? Is that MrGreg's MC Brother?

Maybe he's related to "McLovin".

(I happened to watch "SuperBad" on my OnDemand last night...

)

mojo · 07-10-2008, 11:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruelpupet

just noticed this thread, and i heard a few days back that it was a lie.

i heard that it was a hoax, as well. however, what it comes down to so far is that people don't get it and want visual proof.

i am skeptical as well, but i hope he proves us all wrong.

Daedalus · 07-10-2008, 03:27 PM

Of course it's a hoax. There is no way that a guy working alone can leapfrog car companies that spend billions just for marginal improvements. Basic physical and thermodynamic laws cannot be broken. And it's not about bypassing emission regulations. Modern cars waste less than 3% of the fuel they consume as it is. We could run them a bit leaner (and riskier) and get a bit more power, but the sensor feedback systems allow fairly optimal tuning under all conditions already. If emissions were the only thing standing in the way of 100+mpg we would all be getting 4x the mileage while running huge catalytic converters.

The pain in the pocketbook is making people want to believe in miracles and breakthroughs more than ever, and some people, not surprisingly, are taking advantage if this. Sales of crappy fuel gimmicks are going through the roof.

cheapie · 07-11-2008, 07:06 AM

and i can tell you from the trucking industry, there is nothing, NOTHING that freightliner, volvo, mack, peterbilt, etc. wouldn't do to improve mpg a 1-2 mpg and gain business. you can be sure they're not in the oil industry's hip pocket with regards to fuel economy.

07-09-2008, 02:23 PM	#3
renovation Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: by a lake in michigan Posts: 3,789	the auto industry has know how to make way better mpg gas power cars for years .the problems been and still is keep the mpg and emissions in check at the same time. we all have heard story's of them (the big 3 auto makers ) getting super gas mileage on a big V8 for years now. but we all want a greener world to. __________________ be careful of what you wish for . you may get a ton of junk e-mail ! smile or f-off

07-09-2008, 09:24 PM	#11
cruelpupet Admiral Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: NYC Posts: 5,106	just noticed this thread, and i heard a few days back that it was a lie. __________________ Am I alone here? Is that it? Am I the only one who sees. Maybe we can learn to be just like him. Wear a little uniform. Yes, sir. No, sir. Thank you, sir.

07-11-2008, 07:06 AM	#15
cheapie Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: raising my pimp hand strong Posts: 12,419	and i can tell you from the trucking industry, there is nothing, NOTHING that freightliner, volvo, mack, peterbilt, etc. wouldn't do to improve mpg a 1-2 mpg and gain business. you can be sure they're not in the oil industry's hip pocket with regards to fuel economy. __________________ 70% of the world is covered by water. The rest is covered by Bob Sanders

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07-09-2008, 08:32 PM	#8
DarkFury Secretary of the Navy Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Chillin' N Da 'Hood Posts: 33,584	Honestly, I'd like to see proof on claims like this. (I mean come on... 100MPG PLUS you get all the performance of a muscle car. It's a dream come true.) Otherwise, this guy just got his 15 mins of fame. Just because he made the newscast, really don't make it "news" unless he can show some empirical evidence to back up his claims. By the video, the only thing he has proven is that the car runs... Plus each sticker on that car probably nets him an additional 10 horsepower and 10% increase in MPG.

07-09-2008, 09:00 PM	#9
johnnymk Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: May 2000 Location: LEVITTOWN< PA> USA Posts: 12,667	I don't believe it for a second. And I agree with McGreg. There is no way a 400 hp engine could propel a car weighing over 3000 lbs. in 3 seconds. BTW, a notchback '87 with a 4 cylinder could possibly weigh 2700 lbs, but I doubt if it's that light even with a 4 cylinder.

07-10-2008, 03:27 PM	#14
Daedalus Lieutenant Commander Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 617	Of course it's a hoax. There is no way that a guy working alone can leapfrog car companies that spend billions just for marginal improvements. Basic physical and thermodynamic laws cannot be broken. And it's not about bypassing emission regulations. Modern cars waste less than 3% of the fuel they consume as it is. We could run them a bit leaner (and riskier) and get a bit more power, but the sensor feedback systems allow fairly optimal tuning under all conditions already. If emissions were the only thing standing in the way of 100+mpg we would all be getting 4x the mileage while running huge catalytic converters. The pain in the pocketbook is making people want to believe in miracles and breakthroughs more than ever, and some people, not surprisingly, are taking advantage if this. Sales of crappy fuel gimmicks are going through the roof.

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