You also have to take torque into account. A small engine like Don’s Tracker will make all it’s power at a high RPM, and has very little torque down low. A big V8 with the same power rating will make most of its power down low, and have gobs of torque. This is the “grunt” that you can feel from your tractor.
Woodgas doesn’t like to rev all that much. Lower torque curves are better for accelerating on woodgas. That’s why the Dakotas do well… lots of torque down low, and not too heavy.
As far as power per cubic inch, that has gone up significantly over time. Modern engines are more and more efficient and have higher compression ratios. It’s not a fair comparison to take a 1977 Dodge 5.2L engine making 145 hp and 245 ft/lbs and put it against a 2004 5.3L LS motor making 295 hp and 335 ft/lbs.
On a simular note too Tom, Chris, and Wayne, Don manns, what would you say would be the mpg if hybriding in wood gas on a port fuel injected s10 2.4 motor,and still not loose too much power,when in hurry too move faster than don manns tracker,1.6 motor ? THANKS
Thanks carl, I thought it was 80 mpg ,Is that your lowest seting for hybrid driving ? so maybe 50 mpg or so pulling loaded trailer driveing at a fast freeway speed,THANKS
Hi don, on the subject of weight vs HP,what would you say yours weighs with the set up you have, and how often do you need too hybrid too keep out of the way and maintain 55 MPH, My s10 with the 4 cyl.weighs about 2800 without any weight added.And are you satisfied with the take off speed VS miles per pound of wood,or would you rather build with bigger motor.THANKS
power to weight ratio is definataly important I have tried to explain this to some and you can see there eyes glaze over like explaining octane . anyway I have been pleased with the my build the Dakotas appear to do better so this winter instead of trying for more power I will first lighten the load . pull of any thing not needed or used or try to find lighter materials.
Kevin, the Tracker weighs 2740 lbs. without my fat butt riding in it. I try to not jump out on to a road in front of traffic and give myself time to get up to speed and if I drive like that I never use hybrid. Sometime I want to try Wayne’s method of turning the gasoline on while running woodgas and gradually close the air so the computer thinks it is running rich and shuts the gasoline way down. Don’t know it that will work on the Tracker though. I don’t do much freeway driving anyway.
Thanks too all are questians,and Don Manns,thanks for building the tracker,and sharing the results,I think the port injected toyota is my best bet for next build,due too i rarely drive on the freeway over 50 mph anyway.And your distingwished build, That is open too see in the premium section at Drive on wood.If needed for extra power hybriding can be tweeked and tuned, Thanks
All in all i Would like too install a 454 chevy or 455 olds motor in my s10.i just cant afford one at this time, and i might be tempted too smoke the tires too often anyway.And then i would likely burn a lot of gas when wood ran out.
Hi Peter C the s10 is a true work of art, you must have did quite a bit of fabrication before this build, I am truly surprised at how well you built the s10 and still keep it that light, Nice Job.I will have too use the 2.4 motor i have for now.Though what are you asking for the s10,Thanks
Hi Don Manns,I seen your 1.6 1995 motor running like a champ under woodgas geo tracker on YOU TUBE,and first drive after dist,advance,If that little motor runs about that powerfull most the time, i can live with that power to weight rational,Thanks That would be about like my toyota pickup 1985 22re motor in a 3600 OR 3700 pound s10 with junk yard steel,no fancy weight reduction other than smaller barrows,tubes ect.after gasified.
