5 ms·
> Despite the claims of marketers everywhere, lag can't be eliminated. I understand Mercedes "solved" the lag problem with their F1 power unit from last year:
by vpeters25 12y ago
> Despite the claims of marketers everywhere, lag can't be eliminated.
I understand Mercedes "solved" the lag problem with their F1 power unit from last year: they split the turbo into 2 and put an electric engine in between both sides to keep the intake side going while the engine is at low rpms. They got 80 more hp than anybody else dominating the season.
Turbos are an energy efficiency compromise: you only use them (and waste gas) when you really need the extra power.
Edit: grammar
- seanp2k2 12y agoTwincharging[1] (belt-driven supercharger + exhaust-driven turbo(s)) is also a way to reduce lag, as are variable-vane turbos (less aggressive pitch (less load) to spool up quickly before adjusting to a more aggressive pitch to increase boost). Another more gangster option is the old rally trick of letting some air/fuel mixture into the hot turbo to cause it to ignite and spin the turbo, aka ALS[2]. This is the popping you can hear in older rally cars when they're decelerating / going around turns at lower RPMs. 1. http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twincharger http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twincharger VW TSI engines use this, and I thought Mercedes did too on an SUV, but I can't seem to find that anywhere. 2. http://www.rallycars.com/Cars/bangbang.html http://www.rallycars.com/Cars/bangbang.html
- lloeki 12y agoALS (not to be confused with backfiring) destroys your exhaust quickly though, including the catalytic converter, so that's a no-go for non-race cars. Typically a nice hack.
- walshemj 12y agoOh yes back when rally cars where nuts I saw a group B car on a transition stage driving slowly though a town on the Welsh borders. OMG that crackling sound was just sex on 4 wheels.