160 replies to this topic

[Foolish]

I stand corrected Juju. It was a 50/50 decision and i blew it Glad i never became a brain surgeon

[Brams96]

If we could all get an engine like this to work in a mini with Hydrogen it'd be happy days http://en.wikipedia....i/Bourke_engine

2 moving parts! so no lengthy maintenance.

- Emissions Achieved virtually no hydrocarbons (80 ppm) or carbon monoxide (less than 10 ppm) in published test results,
- Low exhaust temperature (below that of boiling water) so metal exhaust components are not required, plastic ones can be used if strength is not required from exhaust system
- Extremely fast hydrogen detonation burn time of the lean mixture so the engine can be considered to be a hydrogen detonation (i.e., explosion not deflagration) engine.
- 15:1 to 24:1 compression ratio for high efficiency and it can be easily changed as required by different fuels and operation requirements.
- Fuel is vaporised when it is injected into the transfer ports, and the turbulence in the intake manifolds and the piston shape above the rings stratifies the fuel air mixture into the combustion chamber.
- Lean burn for increased efficiency and reduced emissions.

[Dan]

And unfortunately, complete nonsense like most of these supposedly world changing engine designs that were thought up in the past and people seem now to think must be incredible just because they aren't really very well known. None of the hundreds of different engine manufacturers that have existed have ever managed to make one of these things work on a practical scale because they are essentially toys. Like Stirling engines and other things, they just don't work at full size. Not everything can be scaled.

We already have fission in abundance. And its waste products & its fallout.

Aah and there's more of the irrational fear that has kept us shackled to coal and oil power stations in this country. Juju, shame on you! You're a scientist, you should know that there's nothing wrong with nuclear fission power really, so long as it's properly maintained and designed. The French are something like 85% nuclear I think, they have some truly excellent designs for reactors. All the ones we've ever had over here were essentially prototypes which is why they are all shut down already or being shut down presently. It really does provide very cheap, very clean power. There's really very little long term radioactive waste produced, by its very nature that's what fission more or less guarantees!

[Sir Cheat]

Fuel tax is now what? 0.76p a litre going off this site in 1995 is was only 0.39p

[Juju]

We already have fission in abundance. And its waste products & its fallout.

Aah and there's more of the irrational fear that has kept us shackled to coal and oil power stations in this country. Juju, shame on you! You're a scientist, you should know that there's nothing wrong with nuclear fission power really, so long as it's properly maintained and designed. The French are something like 85% nuclear I think, they have some truly excellent designs for reactors. All the ones we've ever had over here were essentially prototypes which is why they are all shut down already or being shut down presently. It really does provide very cheap, very clean power. There's really very little long term radioactive waste produced, by its very nature that's what fission more or less guarantees!

Ooooh! Someone's heading for a rosey bottom, young man!!

Harmful waste is produced, no denying it. Fission is just the best of a bad bunch at the moment.

BRING ON THE FUSION!!! (if it ever happens.... )

[Dan]

Yes but the vast mojority of the waste is only dangerously radioactive for about 25 years, then it can be treated as any other scrap (most of it is simply steel that has become radioactive, in the form of valves and pipes and stuff removed from the reactor) and better designs from countries that have developed reators properly by not being scared of them have resulted in lower levels of part replacement and more resilient materials which means less of this type of waste is produced. The long term radioactive stuff is another matter, but by its very nature less of it comes out than goes in due to decay so we are actually reducing the amount of radioactive material in the environment really! There are planty of empty deep mines in this country to bury it in too. Yes that is a massive over simplification of course but the point is we shouldn't be scared of fission. It works.

[reallybig]

electric cars are really bad for the environment

[1984mini25]

Petrol prises are due to hit just over just under £6.20 a gallon for unleaded and £6,35 for diesel by Easter,

-petrol-prices-

[maggies_minder]

is that what i just heard?
i was in the kitchen cooking dinner and i could've sworn i heard another 10p per litre is coming soon??

looks like my bike will be coming out *searches for pump*

[1984mini25]

is that what i just heard?
i was in the kitchen cooking dinner and i could've sworn i heard another 10p per litre is coming soon??

looks like my bike will be coming out *searches for pump*

Pretty much, and add into the rising cost of oil prices, it’s only set to get even higher by the end of the summer.

[maggies_minder]

looks like ill be looking for storage for the mini, at this rate it'll cost more to fuel than to insure and im 22

[1984mini25]

Well this government made several promises, yet 8 months down the line all of their plans, one of witch would help stop the prices at the pump going through the roof have been put on hold or dropped completely.

And now anyone that does protest could have their licences taken away for doing so.

[maggies_minder]

i know a few people who have points on a license they dont even have yet...
i could ask them to protest on our behalf....



ps just in case people think im serious

[MalcolmB]

Reading all the moans and groans here got me thinking, has anyone ever tried seriously modding a mini for maximum fuel efficiency? I know it's not as sexy as throwing in a 1000cc bike engine and roll cage, but a mini must have loads of potential to be a real fuel-miser.

Its one big advantage is its low weight. It weighs less than two-thirds of most modern small cars, and that weight could be reduced even further by replacing the inefficient and heavy A-series with a lighter, more efficient diesel or torquey bike engine. OK, it's a little challenged aerodynamically, but you can still make significant improvements by removing the gutters and fitting a full-length undertray. Anyone tried it? (I'm no eco-warrior by the way, just looking for ways to roll with the punches.)

[Bungle]

stick Visards yellow bible on your Christmas list

there is a whole section in the book on economy