| | | quote | Originally posted by FieroFanatic13:
I just acquired a copy of the May 1984 Car & Driver with the full article regarding Yunick's adiabiatic (not sure on spelling) design that uses what he called a "homogenizer." The article definitely states that the power numbers could not be confirmed during their visit and test drive- they drove the Plymouth Horizon/ Doge Omni equipped with his system at the time of the article. They do mention that he had several others, including a 2.5L Fiero, but they don't specify the power on the Fiero as far as I noticed in my quick read last night. The jist of it is that the writers were quite suspicious of Smokey's horsepower claims, fuel mileage claims, etc. They even point out that the increase in mileage is only about 10 percent better with the Horizon than the stock version- though they admit it definitely DOES have much more power PLUS gets better mileage. They also harp on Smokey's claim that he uses a "homogenizer" which is OBVIOUSLY a TURBO CHARGER that is simply pumping heated air into the engine, purportedly atomizing fuel and improving combustion while combating detonation despite the higher intake charge temperature. They also specifically point out the the "big three" and others had investigated Smokey's design for feasability and actual results- in the end, it seems he had a novel, if mostly unuseable idea here.
I'd gladly put up some scans or send scans to anyone interested in reading the original article!
-Gary |
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The Hot Rod June 1984 article talks more about the Fiero engine. If you don't have a copy I have scans available. Smokey made a few different engines and pieces for engines - some of which never saw any press. As for claims to mileage or fuel economy, Smokey himself never made any. He invited each press group or magazine to test the vehicles themselves, so results do (and will) vary, but all are *their* results, not his. GM wanted to pay Smokey a royalty on every engine they sold inexchange for the work he did on the engines. He declined and kept them, which is why they are in private hands. (He knew that they would either figure out a way around his patents and he wouldn't get as much as he should have.)
