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Groover
Explorer II
Feb 06, 2023

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

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.

Article

I love to see new tech like this but so much of it never gets to mass production that I have learned to be skeptical.
  • 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% 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.
  • 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.
  • 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.