On the Road Again By William Lama Ph.D.
On the Road Again
By William Lama Ph.D.
“Mustang Sally, think you better slow your mustang down” – Wilson Pickett
Americans love their cars. Especially Californians of the male persuasion. For more than a century cars have been the symbol of personal freedom. Switch on the ignition, put it into gear and see the open road as a gateway to adventure. You are in control of your own destiny. What a marvelous feeling. I could tell you about my adventure on the open road when, at age 16 with a brand new license, I drove from New York to Arizona. But since I’m the science guy, I’ll focus instead on the technology of automobiles.
“You don’t look a day over fast cars and freedom.” Rascal Flats
When I graduated college in 1966 my dad offered to buy me a new Mustang. My heart sang! But it was not to be. My wife at the time said we needed a Volkswagen. Can you imagine wanting a VW rather than a Mustang? We finally “settled” on a VW … Karman Ghia. At least it didn’t look like a bug. But only 50 horses! Compared to 225 HP in the Mustang. It was a long wait but I finally got my Mustang last year… and am I revved up!
The Hard Side
For guys, cars equal engines. The technical improvements over the last several decades trace a story of American ingenuity. What magic transformed the V8 - 289 cubic inch - 225 HP engine in the 1966 Mustang into the V4 - 155 - 310 power house in my 2019 Mustang? Of course, there is a lot of software in cars, controlling functions such as braking, entertainment, and navigation systems. The Chevy Volt utilizes 10 million lines of code, 2 million more than in the F-35 fighter jet. Since software is such a big subject that I’ll save it for a future issue of Pulse.
Fuel Injection and Turbo
The 1966 Mustang had a carbureted engine where the fuel and air mix in the carburetor on the way to the eight cylinders. My 2019 Mustang has a fuel injected engine where the gas and air mix directly within the cylinders. The fuel injection system is comprised of a complex set of electronics and sensors, including a pump inside the gas tank for precise control of fuel flow. Fuel injectors atomize the gasoline through a small nozzle under high pressure, monitor the air/fuel mixture, and send the proper mixture into the cylinder. Fuel injection provides more power, saves fuel and reduces emissions; a win, win, win.
https://medium.com/@margamgirish/carburetor-vs-fuel-injection-ced56a3266e1
Another major advance was in the way air enters the engine. A turbocharger, colloquially known as a turbo, is a turbine-driven device that forces compressed air into the combustion chamber, thereby increasing the engine's efficiency and power output. With only 8 pounds of boost pressure, a turbo can increase power output 25% or more over a naturally aspirated engine.
Ford Muscle Turbo
With the stock turbo, my 2019 Mustang EcoBoost engine produces 310 HP. An aftermarket drop in replacement turbo can boost it to a ferocious 520 HP from the 155 cubic inch (2.3L) engine.
“She’s got a competition clutch with the four on the floor / and she purrs like a kitten till the lake pipes roar.” The Beach Boys
Electric Vehicles (EVs)
The latest technological advance is actually one of the oldest. Around the turn of the 20th century, electric motor cars were popular. They had faster acceleration, better braking, and more powerful torque than gasoline-powered cars. They set a land-speed record in 1902, an astonishing 102 mph. On the flip side EVs had to be recharged every forty miles or so, and charging took a while. For these reasons, internal combustion cars won the race that mattered. The electric car also suffered from gender discrimination. “The internal-combustion car that had to be coaxed and muscled to life, with its lubes and explosions and thrusting pistons, that would be the car for men. Guys know engines. We talk engines. We love engines. We don’t love motors, though—the electric ones, that is.”
Many electric car owners don’t even know where the motors are in their cars, or how many there are, or what they look like. Asked about the location of the motor, many will point in the general direction of the battery.
Source: Energy.gov
In the initial EV models, the motor was installed in the same position as the engine in gasoline engine vehicles, and it transferred power to the wheels via a drive shaft. This method allowed EVs to make use of the automotive technology already existing in cars with gas engines. More modern in-wheel designs put the motors near the wheels and transfer power via short drive shafts. The wheels are driven independently providing better control and increased torque.
Batteries provide the energy to drive the electric motors. Tesla battery units comprise thousands of small lithium-ion cells like those used in consumer electronics and produced by Panasonic. Battery prices are dropping. In 2020 Tesla is closing in on a battery pack price of $100 per kWh.
How fast are these electric cars? The Tesla Model 3 ($35,000 after rebate) produces 258HP and goes from 0 to 60 mph in 5.6 sec. (a bit slower than the 5.1 sec. in my 310 HP Mustang). However with the dual-motor upgrade ($17,000 more) the Tesla cuts that down to 3.3 sec. Tesla claims its new roadster will do 0-60 in about 2 sec., faster than the Corvette Z51 (2.8 sec.)
All you want to do is ride around Sally, ride, Sally, ride
Road Trip
So, you may ask, what are all those numbers good for? Since you gave up drag racing at twenty, the most fun you can have in a car is … a road trip
Getty Image
On the road again
I just can't wait to get on the road again
The life I love is makin' music with my friends
And I can't wait to get on the road again
In California there are so many marvelous places to day trip. The “Where Gals Wander” web site contains suggestions of interesting places to visit, including Solvang, CA, “the picturesque Danish village right out a fairy tale storybook and the beautiful scenic drive through mountains will transport you into another land. It’s a lovely drive up the coast into Santa Barbara County.”
https://www.wheregalswander.com/adventures/united-states/la-day-trip-to-solvang/
But you really don’t need to leave the Hill. You can do a “staycation” at Terranea, one of my fav places, and your fur babies are welcome.
Dr. William Lama has a PhD in physics from the University of Rochester. Taught physics in college and worked at Xerox as a principle scientist and engineering manager. Upon retiring, joined the PVIC docents; served on the board of the RPV Council of Home Owners Associations; served as a PV Library trustee for eight years; served on the PV school district Measure M oversight committee; was president of the Malaga Cove Homeowner's Association. Writes about science, technology and politics, mostly for his friends.
email: wlama@outlook.com