Re: [DML] Electromotive anyone? Yes.

["Pete B <zamphyr2000@xxxx>" <zamphyr2000@xxxx>]

Thanks for the info Jen...

Actually my soon-to-be-inherited Baby is currently a dead vehicle, 
with a history of heat and moisture related problems (Houston, Texas 
you know...). I am used to 300HP+ V8's but I also think the concept 
of the PRV is in the right place, they were just so far ahead of 
their time that they couldnt get the correct parts (aka EFI in place 
of MFI). It would be part of a major rebuild anyway, and why not 
take what JZD did and try and improve on it a bit?

The reasons for the upgrade are:

1) Modernization - I am a systems control engineer and think my 
laptop can handle the fine tuning... I love optimizing systems and 
trying to make the inconceviable actual.

2) Power and Torque increase. The (pathetic) stock HP and torque are 
substandard in my book. The silver streak should be able to back up 
its looks with action. An EFI and ignition control system to replace 
the ECU in the D is a significant improvement (read vacuum tube to 
silicon transistor differential) that will allow for wide variations 
in daily parameters to be compensated for. An automotive engine is 
in reality a giant air pump. If you can optimize the work out by 
enabling a greater unit of mass (air) through the system and 
increasing the combustion efficency (chemical mass and energy in), 
then the same piece of equipment can do much more. The D stock block 
and heads are so well engineered, I dont believe engine swaps are 
necessary, and turbos should only be used to eek out that extra after 
the system is finely tuned....

3) Fuel economy - $ - enough said...

4) Pride... if I can take a car that was designed in the 70s, built 
in the 80's died in the 90's and make it run better, faster and 
stronger than it ever did, I would be pretty content with myself for 
some time.

5) the KISS principle - keep it simple, sucker... the fewer 
mechanical parts in a vehicle, the less that can go wrong with it 
from normal wear and tear. Replacing the mechanical parts with non-
contact equivalents improves engine efficency, total vehicle weight 
(tho only by an estimated 100 pounds) and eliminates many of the 
common problems with the D.

My current plan is as follows:

a.) Strip engine out of car
b.) Eliminate all archaic low efficency parts (MFI system, 
Distributor, engine management system, failed electronics, and fuel 
management system)
c.) Install engineered more efficent throttle body and intake 
manifold (from Hennessey, engineered by yours truely for optimal 
flow) that is capable of Forced Air Induction (turbo or supercharger) 
for future improvements.
d.) Have the Stage I improvement installed from DMCH
e.) Install TEC3 system and Fuel Management hardware
f.) Tune (OK this one will honestly be the longest part) for use as a 
daily driver...
g.) Drive car....

OK I also have a little question... why would you not want to 
optimize the PRV.. it is a genuinely awesome engineering marvel as 
the block and concepts go. Theoretical maximum HP and torque should 
be 125hp/L and 100ft-lb of torque per liter naturally aspirated. 
Achieving 85-90% of that (instead of 50% the stock D came with) would 
be a significnat improvement in my book.

In other words, I want a project car that will act as good as it 
looks, but I recognize it will be a PROJECT!

Pete