Hybrid engine performance question

[grumpyunk]

drive a hybrid Fusion as it is supposed to have a very similar arrangement.

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[Ricstar]

We have a 07 Prius with 200k on the clock and have no problems with it on the highway in DFW

 

[FirstFord]

2. My understanding is that the Atkinson engine in the Maverick is kind of wonky from a mechanical perspective. It has variable pressure and is engineered to efficiently burn fuel, very much at the expense of power

I think it's even more subtle than that. The Atkinson cycle is engineered to optimize efficiency at the expense of torque...not power.

Power is torque times revs, so you can always generate more power by revving the piss out of it, assuming that fueling and airflow keep up.
Here we run into software again: the computer controls the effective gear ratio of the planetary through the speed of MG1. So if you don't change the software, you can't Rev the ICE higher.

Bottom line, tuning this thing will require a lot of sophistication and overriding some FoMoCo controls...in addition to traditional mechanical mods.

 

[FirstFord]

Thinking about this more...

AFAIK, the distinguishing feature of the Atkinson cycle is intake valve timing. If you swapped cams, you could convert to an Otto cycle, improving torque (and consequently power across the Rev range) at the expense of efficiency.

Presumably you'd have to adjust the fueling and ignition maps, something that tuners have been doing for a couple decades.

Now you have a more powerful ICE and still have the torque boost of the traction motor!

Well, we have hybrid supercars after all.

So it can be done, but not by Joe's Garage (apologies to Frank Zappa)

Doubtful that market demand justifies the expensive tuner engineering this would require.

 

[Scupking]

Forgive me if this has been asked, and for not knowing but...

If I order the hybrid, and I'm not happy with the acceleration, or overall power, are there mods that can be done to make this more powerful? I'm not looking to spend tens of thousands on modifications, or an engine swap, but I know you can tune the ecoboost...

Redline got 7.59 seconds 0-60 with the hybrid. To put that into prospective my current 260hp v6 suv does 0-60 in almost the exact same amount of time and to me it feels quick.

 

[Gmood1]

Yeah, If you are concerned with passing power. Skip the aggravation and get the 2.0 EB.

I've been a hybrid owner the last 9 years. It's more powerful than the Hybrid Maverick. But no where near as efficient.

I'm not a speed demon. But there are times on those two lane roads and even the four lane ones, when I'm begging for a bit more juice to get around slower traffic.

I just have to grin and bare it, until they turn off or the road opens up, so I can pass.

Unless you're buying a high end hybrid, meaning a much more expensive hybrid vehicle than the Maverick. Chances are, you will have to give up something to get the mpg... it's just the nature of the beast.

 

[James L. Harrison]

There seems to be two barriers to speeding up the Maverick, as I, a non-specialist, see it.

1. Hybrids are very much computer dependent . Futzing around with components, speeding them up, will play havok with the computer, and messing with the computer is probably a one way ticket to warranty voided town.

2. My understanding is that the Atkinson engine in the Maverick is kind of wonky from a mechanical perspective. It has variable pressure and is engineered to efficiently burn fuel, very much at the expense of power (Likely one of the reasons why its so low powered compared to other engines with its displacement). I suspect the very mechanisms that make the Atkinson ideal for a hybrid motor make it very unideal for performance modification.

Reviewers have done unofficial clocking of the Maverick's acceleration - high 6/low 7 for the Ecoboost, high 7/low 8 for the Hybrid as I recall. Both will merge just fine - I guarantee my Impala is doing worse than both but I'm not dying on the high way. I suggest you make your choice based on those numbers and not guess at future mods being made available.

EDIT: Also...



I did a quick google search for how to speed a Prius up and the internet said modify the suspension and fuck all else, so there's that.

IMHO the bottom line is that if you have to ask the question then DON'T!!!! You're almost certain to muck it up...

 

[James L. Harrison]

I think it's even more subtle than that. The Atkinson cycle is engineered to optimize efficiency at the expense of torque...not power.

Power is torque times revs, so you can always generate more power by revving the piss out of it, assuming that fueling and airflow keep up.
Here we run into software again: the computer controls the effective gear ratio of the planetary through the speed of MG1. So if you don't change the software, you can't Rev the ICE higher.

Bottom line, tuning this thing will require a lot of sophistication and overriding some FoMoCo controls...in addition to traditional mechanical mods.

And anyone having the skill set to make the mods needed could not possibly be on this list asking advice on modding it.

 

[clavicus]

Ok hear me out. You hire a couple professional cyclists, rig up a rear wheel drivetrain connected to some pedals and plop those bad boys in the truck bed with some camelbaks and some shock collar voltage mapped to the gas pedal input. Eezy peezy.

 

[huunvubu]

Forgive me if this has been asked, and for not knowing but...

If I order the hybrid, and I'm not happy with the acceleration, or overall power, are there mods that can be done to make this more powerful? I'm not looking to spend tens of thousands on modifications, or an engine swap, but I know you can tune the ecoboost...

Take a look at the many Maverick Video Reviews in this thread:

https://www.mavericktruckclub.com/f...ick-ecoboost-hybrid-reviews-list-is-here.2845

These reviews cover about everything for both the Hybrid and EcoBoost.

Many sing praises about the Hybrid and what it is capable of. They also do a good job comparing between the two powertrains.

 

[jeffdeq]

I was a Ford line mechanic in the early 1970s. Thanks to improvements in engine technology and performance made in the last 50 years, you don’t have to change points, plugs and condenser every 12,000 miles. Be thankful that 4 cylinder vehicles today make more than 90 HP and can pass on a 2 lane highway!
Ford has been manufacturing hybrid vehicles since 2004. A quick look at the number of hybrid Fords for sale with 180k, 200k, or even 250k miles is very good evidence of a dependable vehicle.
Otherwise, if you have a need for speed….get an eco boost!

 

[Wire4money]

Thinking about this more...

AFAIK, the distinguishing feature of the Atkinson cycle is intake valve timing. If you swapped cams, you could convert to an Otto cycle, improving torque (and consequently power across the Rev range) at the expense of efficiency.

You don’t need to change the cams in newer engines with variable valve timing. The Tacoma goes from Otto to Atkinson by adjusting the intake valve timing. Whether the 2.5 has VVT or not, I don’t know. I assume most modern engines do.

 

[Dan]

If you want a fast hybrid truck you might as well get the power boost F-150. Lots of power there and great MPG for a truck of that size. That said, it is more then double the MSRP of a base Maverick. You have to give and take here and there, I had only a few issues in my Ranger that had a 0-60 time of what felt to be 3-5 business days but I still managed to pass ok on country roads

 

[Shay]

If power is your concern, buy the EcoBoost

 

[MakinDoForNow]

This isn’t a problem, except maybe if you’re towing and trying to pass on those two lane rural roads and you don’t have much space before the line goes from dotted to solidz

Don't have any lines on our RURAL roads.

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