Comments on: BMW and PSA Detail Engine Plans

By: revwillie

revwillie — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 15:39:58 +0000

By: revwillie

revwillie — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 15:37:13 +0000

It's not just the casting process. Investment casting can be done with small pieces by hand...a lot of jewelery is made that way via 'lost-wax' casting.

It's another thing to make thousands of blocks and heads reliably that way. It looks like PSA actually had a patent or two in the late 80's, but I don't know if they used it in production or not.

Saturn touted it in their marketing materials when the first generation of S series cars came out. They don't make their own engines anymore though.

By: Rodney

Rodney — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 15:08:24 +0000

Any links to give more detail on the “lost foam” process?

By: O(=^=)O Capn

O(=^=)O Capn — Thu, 23 Jun 2005 05:26:11 +0000

You’re right about the lost foam technology. It’s nothing new, but it works great. A friend of mine owns a foundry. It really is interesting to see it in production.

By: revwillie

revwillie — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 23:56:34 +0000

I might be wrong, but I’m pretty sure lost-foam aluminum casting was Saturn’s big deal in 1990 for their first gen engines. Also iron jackets (Al doesn’t have enough wear resistance). I’m not poo-pooing PSA…From what I’ve read the fuel injection systems are state of the art. But lightweight Aluminum 4-bangers can be cranked out fast and cheap this way.

By: Frank

Frank — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 22:39:52 +0000

We shall see how their reliability will stack up against the bulletproof TRITEC engines. ;)

By: Ian

Ian — Wed, 22 Jun 2005 18:51:42 +0000

I suppose all those technical phrases mean the engines are supposed to be good ;)