jwp@sdchema.UUCP (05/28/83)
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
{ucbvax, philabs}!sdcsvax!sdchema!jwpdrabik@ihnss.UUCP (06/01/83)
An article recently appeared in a popular magazine -- Popular Science, I think -- which reported on Smokey Yunick's developments. He's keeping things pretty quiet, apparently because everyone else is trying to figure out how he keeps the air-fuel mixture from detonating with such high cylinder wall temperatures. The high temperatures involved, together with utilization of would-be waste heat, lead to high efficiency. His two-cylinder engine generated 150 HP. By the way, I think it's "Yunick." Tim Drabik Bell Labs, Naperville ihwld!drabik
mcneal@fortune.UUCP (06/02/83)
#R:sdchema:-57200:fortune:1500009:000:286 fortune!mcneal Jun 1 19:54:00 1983 Yunik's name is spelled Yunick. His engine has 2-cylinders, produces 150-hp and gets 60 miles to the gallon. There is an article in the April, 1983 issue of POPULAR SCIENCE. It begins on page 82. I hope this will give you the information you need. Rick McNeal fortune|mcneal
bill@uwvax.UUCP (06/02/83)
Smokey Yunick has a regular column in Popular Science magazine -- one of those "tough questions only" ones, i.e., the only answers are the published ones. [I don't remember how to spell his surname either]. Popular Science had a cover article about 4-5 months ago on his engine. More a teaser article than anything else -- said Smokey wanted his patent applications filed before talking more, but there were some interesting tidbits, as well as a promise of followup articles to come. bill cox bill@uwisc ....seismo!uwvax!bill