Originally Posted by greazzer

It is the exchange rate. The parasitic drag on the engine by turning a water pump is approximately the equivelant of 6-7 horsepower. There is certainly a parasitic drag on the engine to generate more juice for the electric version, but it's about half worst case scenario. So, it's a trade off. You're now not "using" 3 HP+ to cool the engine. That "savings" will equal less fuel to burn and more performance. These theories have been around forever in the automotive world.

I could tell a real difference when I got rid of the power steering to the manual steering. Admittedly, I am not turning anything to replace the pump, but that did increase my MPG and peppiness of the engine. It is the same exact theory. The pump was robbing about 3-4HP. Now, I "regained" those 3-4 HP. That "increase" means less taking away from the engine.

Same goes with reducing weight. That reduces the parasitic drag on the engine and HP's robbed by pushing more weight. Same with reducing the drag. However, at some point, there is a limit to what MPG that car will get no matter what. Currently, most experts claim that only 2-3% of the engine's power is actually invested in moving the driver. The remainder moves steel, fights drag, pushes pumps, et cet.

I am hoping to get the last machined piece next week. If so, I will post to the Sleeper Part Deux ASAP.

Sorry to hi-jack here.