http://www.autoweek.com/news.cms?newsId=103342

 

This would be a good thing. You could change valve operation w/ a laptop instead of figuring out what cam would work best w/ your set up.

 

Didn't we talk some time ago about this technology making into C6?

You can adjust the valves to provide optimal performance throughout the entire RPM range, something that would be uber-cool. The question is, how will those magnets hold up after 50K miles? 100K?

 

That would be sweet. I've been waiting for that for years.

Mail order tunes will get a LOT more popular, and a LOT more complex.

 

So when does the Small block get this?

 

Yes we did. The rumor mill was saying the C6 Z06 would debut a camless motor.

 

That's great and all but...........at the bottom of the article it says that if something messes up - the pistons could hit and wreck the whole engine.....

 

Not a magnet, its an electromagnet. Essentially a solenoid. But you are right, thats a lot of energizing and deenergizing. The coils that supply energy to your spark plugs hold up pretty well though

 

I dont think the results would be that bad. I would think at the most, that cylinder would be out of commision.

 

It depends on the specific engine design.

If you have what's termed an intereference type engine...like most Hondas for example....valves and piston can come crashing together. If it's a non-interference engine...like most domestics...it won't.

 

DOD, displacement on demand.

 

Haven't read the article but I definitetly hope so. In fact initial rumors and talks of the Z06 were that it was supposed to go camless.

Talk about the potential for a NICE powerband from start to finish, and inherent DOD to boot.

 

Don't expect this on anything under a 100k mark for at least another decade or two. Camshafts are too cheap, and this technology is going to be expensive. It's really not *new* technology (Electronically actuated servo valves anyone?) - but getting it as precise, and the speed at which they have to Energize and Deenergize is probably where the problem arises.

Interesting technology, cost effective = no. 20% fuel economy savings... You still have to generate the power to operate those solenoids constantly so I'll wait on that too.

 

That's what I was thinking.

 

Imagine what an LSx engine could do with this technology. Still be one of the lightest setups and have even more power than they do now.

And also, no cam changes. Just a laptop; how nice is that?