Good Turbine For Car.

[aquaticharpy]

Do you guys think there is any way to to bring down a turbines power significantly without removing any reliability or longevity. Perhaps increasing it? Or perhaps making a smaller version? I really am in love with a specific engine design but its about 6000hp. Thats a bit much for me. Perhaps bring it to around 1000 is what I'd be interested without compromising reliability. If I had detailed schematics I'd most likely just recreate it as a smaller model.

What do you guys think?

Thanks!

John

[racket]

NO don't do it

[aquaticharpy]

Dont attempt to add wastegate or bring the power down on a large engine?

And also, why not?

Thanks

[racket]

Both

[aquaticharpy]

Ok.. How long would a T50 last hooked to a torque converter than direct drive? Would I be able to make long trips in it as well as use it at low speeds? If not, what would be needed?

[racket]

It could last for years .

Long trips will need lotsa fuel, and low speed use even more fuel , you'd probably find your mpg better at 80 mph than 40 mph , the Rover T3 turbine car with a 110 hp engine used fuel at 13.8 mpg at 40 mph but "only" 12.8 mpg at 80 mph, 14.3 at 60 mph

The worlds first turbine car JET 1 , made by Rover in the early 1950's had a 230 hp engine when it set the World Records at >150 mph , but fuel consumption was down near 4 mpg .

The latter Rover BRM race car averaged 13.5 mpg at an average of 98.8 mph at the Le Mans 24 hour race of 1965 using a 126 hp engine with heat exchangers between exhaust and comp discharge air

For a T50 of 300 HP expect <10 mpg .

There is no ideal turbine engine for road use with its demand for greatly varying power outputs and 90% of the time spent at minimal power outputs ................as I've told you previously , turbines are "full throttle" engines , they don't like idling along at low power settings and are only marginly "happy" when equiped with a HX .....................but turbines make great engines for the applications they are suited to .

Most of the car manufacturers toyed with turbines half a century ago and they all came up with the same outcome after spending lotsa money , thats why we don't see turbine cars on the road, theres too many compromises required when operating them in day to day use .................but for a one off special , it'll provide bragging rights for the owner .

Cheers
John

[aquaticharpy]

Low mpg is fine for a one off special. Long road trips would be averaging about 80 usually.

What fuel would be suitable for a T50 turbine engine other than ket fuel? I've heard and read many things about turbine fuel choice and it looks as though I have many choices.

I'm mainly just interested in longevity and reliability..

Right now the major issues are fuel consumption as well as noise and exhaust heat~ the last two can be changed
What else?

Thanks!
John.

[racket]

Hi

Those fuel figures were for a much smaller engine than the T50 ...............assuming you used an Allison 250 C20 engine of 420 HP , similar to the much hyped Y2K Bike , its fuel burn rate is horrendous , a C20 engine at idle produces ~45 HP and burns 70 lbs/hour or ~10 gph , now with 45 HP available, idling will produce enough power for general around town driving ,..... lets assume 40 mph speed , thats a fuel consumption rate of 4 MPG .

The Y2K has a 32 liter -8.5 US gallon fuel tank but is only good for ~20 miles around town , maybe 60 miles on a trip :-(

All of us guys who have built large engines know only too well how quickly a fuel tank empties even at idle , the C20 uses 70 lbs/hr at idle but only 265 lbs/hr at full power , whilst power goes from 45 to 420 hp or 9.33 times , but fuel burn rate only goes up 3.78 times , the specific fuel consumption (SFC) goes up 2.46 times at idle compared to full throttle . ............turbines are made to run hard and long , but not to idle around.

If you intend to use the vehicle for day to day running around then the engine needs to be equiped with a HX to get heat out of the exhaust and feed it into the air going to the combustor/s, otherwise it'll cost a fortune in fuel ....................or you fit a small turbine engine that can be used at higher power settings to improve the thermodynamics , a 40-50 hp turbine engine would be more appropriate .

Yep , we can burn a range of fuels , diesel is OK but can be a tad smokey at idle , a mix of diesel with 10-15% petrol makes a "lighter" fuel , I use 2 parts petrol to 1 part kero for my specific application.

Cheers
John

[aquaticharpy]

What is an HX? From what I've read about the Chrysler something similar was used to scavenge heat from the exhaust and bring it back to the turbine..

Perhaps a smaller turbine could be used in conjunction with the larger turbine? It being in the front for low end speed and cruising as well as perhaps even a reverse gear? Just a 2 speed automatic with reverse coupled right to the turbine on the front wheels . Then when I do want acceleration, speed, and or torque we can switch to the larger rear turbine and stop feeding the front fuel?

Just an idea..

I feel back on track with this project so I'm trying to make it work.

Thanks!!
~John

[racket]

Yep , HX is a heat exchanger , as per the Chrysler.

2 turbine engines= 4 times the complication , don't go there , better to have a SI engine in front for daily use and a BIG turbine in back for "fun" , as Chris Krugg has

[aquaticharpy]

That sounds like it could work. Little engine in the front from something like a motorcycle for daily duties when needed. Just small, 1 or 2 cylinder that'll get the car around. I like your idea!

Thank you. I'll look for a way to have this work, with the gas tank in the front you could almost do 2 small 1 cylinder bike engines per wheel up there.. The little 2 cylinder motorbike engines like Yamaha R6 Are small and delightfully gas efficient.

Thank You!
I'll keep you guys posted

~John

[aquaticharpy]

What do you think of the Pratt and Whitney PT-6 Turbine? Small, light, from around 750 to 2000hp. Seems like a decent engine. Many parts available. Not so many turbines available..

John

[BFTO]

Oct 3, 2019 16:20:41 GMT -5 aquaticharpy said:

What do you think of the Pratt and Whitney PT-6 Turbine? Small, light, from around 750 to 2000hp. Seems like a decent engine. Many parts available. Not so many turbines available..

John

You went from 125-150hp to 750-2000hp, good luck and fit a PT6 in your Bradly GT with a 2400mm wheelbase 

Small? they are like 2000mm long.

You know why you cant find any for sale? because they are still in use and is between 100k to 1miljon $.  

[aquaticharpy]

That could be an issue.. and yeah, it would fit fine. Just take up the entire rear. What would you reccomend in a turbine or should I attempt to build something with 750-2000hp for short drags and races..🤷‍♂️

John

[aquaticharpy]

I'm back at T50's so that's what I think I'm going to do!

John