Engine Builder magazine is reporting on a new piston design by Speed of Air® (SoA) Engine Technologies that claims to improve the fuel economy of the three leading pickup diesels by 25%. It obviously would be an expensive retrofit but might not cost much if offered by the OEMs.ArticleI love to see new tech like this but so much of it never gets to mass production that I have learned to be skeptical.

Looks promising. Hope it pans out. And yes about the OEM statement. Even at 25% better mileage it would not be financially feasible for an average driver to retrofit. Commercial drivers most likely could benefit.

Someone's going to say it, so it might as well be me:Getting rid of the poorly-executed emissions equipment on these engines would accomplish the same thing without an expensive fancy piston.

Skeptical is a good word. The ole golf ball trick.

25% is a huge boost in economy. I don't know if diesel's are figured into the manufacturers Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) or not. But if they can come out with a piston top that gives 25% more economy for a gasoline engine the manufacturer's jump all over that.

opnspaces wrote:25% is a huge boost in economy. I don't know if diesel's are figured into the manufacturers Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) or not. But if they can come out with a piston top that gives 25% more economy for a gasoline engine the manufacturer's jump all over that.You mean like they did with the 200 mpg carburetor? :)

25% better mpg from current diesels? Too good to be true?

BB_TX
Nomad
Feb 06, 2023
Looks promising. Hope it pans out. And yes about the OEM statement. Even at 25% better mileage it would not be financially feasible for an average driver to retrofit. Commercial drivers most likely could benefit.
mkirsch
Nomad II
Feb 06, 2023
Someone's going to say it, so it might as well be me:

Getting rid of the poorly-executed emissions equipment on these engines would accomplish the same thing without an expensive fancy piston.
Grit_dog
Navigator
Feb 06, 2023
Skeptical is a good word.
The ole golf ball trick.
opnspaces
Navigator II
Feb 06, 2023
25% is a huge boost in economy. I don't know if diesel's are figured into the manufacturers Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) or not. But if they can come out with a piston top that gives 25% more economy for a gasoline engine the manufacturer's jump all over that.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Feb 06, 2023
opnspaces wrote:
25% is a huge boost in economy. I don't know if diesel's are figured into the manufacturers Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) or not. But if they can come out with a piston top that gives 25% more economy for a gasoline engine the manufacturer's jump all over that.
You mean like they did with the 200 mpg carburetor? :)
FishOnOne
Nomad
Feb 06, 2023
Diesel's are due for a major break thru in technology that reduces the need or better yet eliminates the band-aid emissions equipment.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Feb 06, 2023
mkirsch wrote:
Someone's going to say it, so it might as well be me:

Getting rid of the poorly-executed emissions equipment on these engines would accomplish the same thing without an expensive fancy piston.
Lots of people have tried it, and it works okay for some, but other report no improvement after deleting.

My old 24 valve 2001 Cummins averaged about 10 mpg, compared to my new undeleted 2018 Cummins with more horsepower and auto transmission which averages about 9.0 mpg. Oh yeah, and pulling a 2,000 lb. heavier 5th wheel.
Desert_Captain
Explorer III
Feb 06, 2023
With diesel being about 25 percent higher in cost than regular gas where is the net savings?
Just saying/asking... :h
RetiredRealtorR
Explorer
Feb 06, 2023
fj12ryder wrote:
opnspaces wrote:
25% is a huge boost in economy. I don't know if diesel's are figured into the manufacturers Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) or not. But if they can come out with a piston top that gives 25% more economy for a gasoline engine the manufacturer's jump all over that.
You mean like they did with the 200 mpg carburetor? :)

Yup, much the same --- some big oil company will buy the technology and patents and set it on a shelf. Done.
fj12ryder
Explorer III
Feb 06, 2023
RetiredRealtorRick wrote:
fj12ryder wrote:
opnspaces wrote:
25% is a huge boost in economy. I don't know if diesel's are figured into the manufacturers Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) or not. But if they can come out with a piston top that gives 25% more economy for a gasoline engine the manufacturer's jump all over that.
You mean like they did with the 200 mpg carburetor? :)

Yup, much the same --- some big oil company will buy the technology and patents and set it on a shelf. Done.
Uh, that was a joke. :)