Not your average economy car....

If you have any interest in improved fuel efficiency (and with gas over $3/gal who doesn't), please read this article (Motorhead Messiah). If even half of what this guy claims is true this could be huge! Basically using existing components (GM duramax diesels), some bolt on kits, and a intuitive knack for figuring out how to make engines run more efficiently, Johnathan Goodwin has figured out a way we might have our cake and eat it too. Fuel efficiency AND power AND full sized (hell large) cars/trucks. I don't know about his claims of 60-100mpg for his conversions, but given that Mercedes now sells an E-series with a diesel capable of over 35mpg and 0-60mph under 7 seconds....who knows? Maybe a little of John's hot-rodder mentality is just what we need to help reduce our dependence on foreign oil.

Sure tweaking an off the shelf engine for great economy/performance gains sounds improbable, but I can recall in the late 80s or early 90s my dad (a mechanic) showing me an article on what was then the latest incarnation of Chevy's small block V8. In large part by reversing the coolant flow through the engine, it ran cooler, allowing for higher compression ratios which helped it develop more power, and improved fuel efficiency....this from a basic design that traced its roots to the 50's. Now I'm sure some other factors came into play, but if simply changing the direction of coolant flow could have a dramatic impact on the performance of a 40-50yr old design, why isn't it possible that Mr. Goodwin from Kansas has performed some measure of mechanical alchemy? Has he devised a way for us to have powerful automobiles that deliver enough economy to wipe the smug "We're Greener than you!" grins off the faces of thousands of Prius owners?

Oh yeah...this is the same guy that was responsible for an MTV Pimp My Ride episode that converted a 65 impala to a high performance diesel. How high? 800 hp, doubled fuel economy from 12 to 25mpg, and Smoked a Lambo in the 1/4 mile!


Whoever is elected President....I have a suggestion for the director of the Department of Energy. On second thought....keep John in the garage until I can afford one of his conversions. I have a '94 Chevy K1500 that could use an upgrade. :)