Anyone know how it works besides, "the crank turns which pushes the pistons, which..."

Supposedly, under idle and normal driving conditions, it operates under 4 cylinders. On acceleration, it uses 8 pistons. A WFO, it's on all 16. It also makes 1000 hp & 1000 #/ft on 16 cylinders and gets 20mph under normal driving conditions(i.e. 4-cylinders).

We had a debate about this today @ work and I'm thinking it's done through managing the fuel/spark based on engine RPM.

Any ideas/guess/facts?

 

What you're referring to is called 'displacement on demand' or DOD. If you do a search on that subject you'll find quite a bit of interesting reading info. The way I understand it.... the 'shut down' is controlled in the valvetrain and of course the computer does it's thing to ensure no fuel gets sprayed in the dormant cylinders. Probably cuts spark too but I'm not to up on all the details.
Here's a link (.pdf) of some of the componentry:

http://media.gm.com/division/powertr..._on_demand.pdf

-Mindgame

 

Thanks. Looks like I was pretty much right.

 

The "16" came up a week or so ago on this forum. Here's a pic:


http://popularmechanics.com/automot...llac_engine.jpg

It's 2 valve per cylinder pushrod engine, with about the same hp/liter as a LS6. To my mind the heads look very much like LS1s
(only longer!)

The cool thing about DOD is the simple way of shutting down the valve by holding the lifter collapsed with oil pressure.

 

Linky no worky...

 

Try this one:

http://popularmechanics.com/automoti...3/index2.phtml

Click to enlarge the engine.

It worked when I tested it just now.

 

Now THAT'S a header!! Looks like the alternator is not driven off the crank either...hmmm.

 

AutoWeek says the 16 engine "weighs less than a standard GM V8 of today." I think they mean a iron block V8 like the 8100

830 cubes get MY motor running!

 

This is great-
http://popularmechanics.com/automoti..._auto_show_13/

 

Ain't it though!

Wayne Cherry's swan song as head of "GM Styling".

How 'bout those 24 inch wheels?

 

All that power and '22 mpg'.... aint technology grand.

I don't know if I'm ready for a Cadillac (or will ever admit it) but Caddy has some neat ideas. I'd go for the Cien in a heartbeat though... even if I was sporting the silver mop.

-Mindgame

 

If the 24s even come close to making it to production, it'll be by the hand of God. lol

I'm thinking 18s at the most. Of course, we all remember the Prowler.

Mandatory first mod....turning the accuators on to run 16 cylinders all the time.