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From: jwp@sdchema.UUCP
Newsgroups: net.auto
Subject: New engine development
Message-ID: <572@sdchema.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 28-May-83 12:04:44 EDT
Article-I.D.: sdchema.572
Posted: Sat May 28 12:04:44 1983
Date-Received: Fri, 3-Jun-83 04:54:57 EDT
Lines: 35

I just saw PBS program called "Last Chance Garage" that had an interview
(sort of) with Smokey Yunik (I don't think that's the right spelling,
but it's been so long since I read car magazines regularly I've forgotten).

In any case, he (Yunik) has a Rabbit with a two cylinder engine he built.
It gets 60mpg, with no performance degradation.  Actually, he claims to
not be too proud of that since he has a three cylinder version in a 3100
pound Buick that gets 50mpg.  There's also a three cylinder version in a
DeLorean that does 0-60 in two seconds less than the stock version.

The interview didn't give a great deal of technical information.  The
air/fuel mixture is preheated to around 450 F (presumably by the exhaust, but
it wasn't clear).  There is an exhaust driven turbine used to drive the
preheating equipment; it was unclear whether or not it's also used to boost
the air/fuel mixture itself.  A normal carb is used, and it has a standard
(i.e.  not electronic) ignition system.  They drove the Rabbit around some;
the interviewer claimed that there was no increase in engine vibration over
the normal Rabbit engine (I don't personally know whether or not that's
damnation with faint praise, having no experience with Rabbits).  Engine
weight was claimed to be around 170 pounds (I think).  The engine is being
developed in conjunction with something called (I believe) "Southwest
Research Labs" in San Antonio, Texas.  It not only runs, it has actually
been certified.

Does anyone have any better information on this?  Perhaps someone in/from
Florida (where Yunik's shop is)?  The thing that impressed me was that this
wasn't some nut simply making claims.  Yunik (it really annoys me that I
can't remember whether or not that's the correct spelling - would somebody
please let me know?) is *very* respected in racing circles and has been
for 30 years or so.  The engine exists, runs, and has been certified.  Seems
to me like there may be a truly significant advancement in engine technology
in the works here.

			John Pierce, Chemistry, UC San Diego
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